How to wash knitwear
Knitwear can be quite tricky to care for depending on the material and where the stiches are. To keep your knitwear looking fresher for longer, we have put together a few simple tips and tricks on how to care for your knitted jumpers and cardigans. In this article you can also find out more about how to mend holes and remove bobbling.
How to store knitwear
It’s important to look after your knitwear so that you can get the most out of it. After buying a jumper it is very important to make sure that you store it correctly. Its best to store knitwear and woollen jumpers flat. In addition, make sure to fold them loosely and neatly to help the fibres keep their shape. It is also important to protect your knitwear from direct sunlight.
Tip: You can use lavender bags, herb bags or special moth traps to protect your favourite woollen jumpers from moths during the summer.
How to store your winter jumpers in spring
You will need to put away your woollen jumpers and cardigans in spring to make room for your T-shirts and tops. Below you will find a couple of things to keep in mind when putting your jumpers and cardigans away for the summer.
Even in the summer your knitted jumpers should be stored flat and somewhere dark. Vacuum bags are one way of saving space when storing jumpers as you can suck the air out with a pump or a hoover and safely stow away your freshly washed jumpers. However, you should not use this method on knitwear made out of merino wool or cashmere as the pressure from the bags can damage the delicate fibres.
During the summer your winter clothes can also be safely stored in boxes or the draws under your bed. You can also protect your jumpers and cardigans by wrapping them in tissue paper or newspaper. This protects them from dirt and moths.
Make sure to choose a suitable wash program and laundry detergent for clothes made out of mixed materials. For example, if your jumper is made out of wool and cotton you should wash your jumper at a maximum temperature of 30°C because wool is more delicate than cotton.
Washing & drying knitwear
Washing and drying knitwear can be quite tricky. Most knitwear is made out of wool, which makes washing it more difficult. Below we have put together the most important tips for washing and caring for knitwear so that your favourite knitwear does not shrink or become misshapen:
There are a few dos and don'ts that you should keep in mind when washing and drying woollen clothes:
Washing & drying do's:
Check the care label on your clothes and follow the washing symbols: the care label will tell you everything you need to know about washing and drying knitwear.
Turn jumpers and cardigans inside out before washing to prevent bobbling.
Wash woollen clothes on a delicates or handwash program with a mild laundry detergent or a special laundry detergent for wool.
Carefully reshape your knitwear back into its original shape immediately after washing it.
Leave knitwear to dry lying down.
Washing & drying don'ts:
Do not wash knitwear too often – instead leave it out to air overnight.
Don't leave knitwear in the washing machine for too long.
Don’t wring out woollen jumpers after washing them.
Do not hang up knitwear to dry.
Do not leave knitwear in the sun or close to a heater to dry.
You can use a large towel to quickly and gently dry knitwear. Put your knitwear on a large towel and roll the towel up and carefully squeeze it. The towel will absorb the excess moisture without putting too much strain on the fibres.
How to remove bobbles
Bobbling is a common problem when it comes to knitwear. Bobbling and small knots can appear on all natural materials whether it's a high-quality knitted jumper made out of cashmere or a cosy cardigan made out of wool. Bobbling always occurs at the point where the fabric is exposed to strong friction. This causes small fibres to detach from the material and they will then form small knots and start to bobble. The areas under the arms and at the hips are particularly susceptible to bobbling. The small knots don’t look great and they can also lead to small holes.
Bobbles can easily be removed from your jumper, which will help to prevent any damage to the delicate material. To do this, use either a fabric razor or a special pilling comb. A simple disposable razor can also help you remove bobbles from your jumper. Carefully shave bobbles to create a nice smooth surface.
Tip: If you have bought a new woollen jumper, cardigan or knitted dress you can prevent bobbling by using a lint roller. This will help you to get rid of any loose threads. You can also wash your woollen clothes on a delicates wash program to help prevent any bobbles or knots.
How to make an itchy jumper soft
If you've had to wash your favourite jumper more than once it may lose its fluffiness. However, there are three easy ways to make your woollen jumper soft and comfortable again:
Tip number 1: you can freeze cashmere and woollen jumpers after washing them. Place the damp jumper in a freezer bag and put it in the freezer. After a couple of hours, dry it using a towel as described above. The freezing temperatures will cause the fibres on the jumper to lock back into place and it will be comfortable to wear again.
Tip number 2: Wash your jumper in a vinegar bath. Vinegar can dissolve dirt and limescale deposits from the fibres and help to make woollen jumpers softer again. Put your jumper in a bowl of lukewarm water and add a dash of vinegar. Leave it to soak for about an hour, then rinse it carefully and leave it to dry as described on the care label.
Tip number 3: Dissolve a teaspoon of wool wax or lanolin with a teaspoon of washing-up liquid in a bowl of hot water. When the water has cooled down to below 30°C pop your jumper into the water and leave it to soak overnight. The next morning dry it with a towel and the wool wax will make the fibres supple and soft again.
Practical tips on how to repair a jumper
It is easy to pull a thread or get a moth hole in your favourite jumper. You don’t need to throw away your favourite jumper if you follow our tips on how to mend a hole and repair a pulled thread.
How to fix a pulled thread
Pulling a thread on your jumper can be frustrating, but there are ways to fix this. If the thread is still intact, you can gently pull the fabric up and down around the pulled thread. If you have only pulled the thread out a little bit, you can easily put it back into place.
If pulling the fabric does not fix it, you can turn the jumper inside out and pull the overhanging loop through to the inside. By using a needle you can follow the path of the thread. Follow the thread with the needle and loosen each stitch along the way until the thread has popped itself back into place again. You will need a little bit of patience for this, but the loose thread will disappear and your woollen jumper will look almost brand new again.
How to mend a hole in your jumper
If you get a hole in your jumper there are ways to fix it. Simply follow the step-by-step instructions below to quickly repair it.
Use a thread that matches the colour of the jumper or cardigan.
Thread the thread into a needle and double it up.
Turn the jumper inside out and place the hole over a darning mushroom. If you do not have one, then you can use an empty water bottle.
Next sew around the hole once. You can use the stitches that are already in the jumper. Continue to pass the thread around the hole alternating from top to bottom.
When you have sewn all the way around, sew across to the other side of the hole and back again until the hole is closed. The thread should be threaded like a serpentine to close the hole.
Now use the stitches to sew from the bottom to the top and then again from the top to the bottom. Now the hole should be fully repaired.
How to repair a broken thread
First, you can try to knot the thread at both ends. This can be a bit tricky, but it is the best way to repair your woollen jumper. If this does not work, you can glue the ends on the inside with super glue or nail polish. However, this is only a quick fix and you will need to repeat the process each time after washing your jumper. If you would like to fix it follow the step-by-step instructions above on how to mend a hole in your jumper.
Conclusion: how to remove bobbling and wash knitwear
Knitwear is not always easy to wash and care for, but it is long-lasting and you can wear it time and time again. By following our tips in this guide you can get the most out of your knitwear and quickly fix any problems such as pulled threads or bobbling.
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The image sources in this text are in chronological order
Covert photo and 1st image in text: C&A
2. Image in text: iStock.com/undefined undefined
3. Image in text: iStock.com/Helin Loik-Tomson
4. and 5th image in text: C&A