Warm, comfortable, and simple to style, quality knitwear is a wardrobe staple that, when properly cared for, will last a very long time. Wool, angora, cashmere, and other types of animal hair, as well as plant-based materials like cotton and petroleum-based fibres, can all be used to make knit clothing (e.g. acrylic). Our knitwear at The Slow Label is manufactured from 100% certified organic, plant-dyed, and mulesing-free wool, preventing harm to the environment, animals, and garment workers. The tips below will assist you in treating quality knitwear made of natural materials as the lifetime investment that it is. the most widely used fibre, even though wool is the basis of the guide. You can use it to take care of knit items made of various fibres, including knitwear.

How to wash knitwear

You won’t need to wash your knitwear very frequently because wool possesses odor-resistant, temperature-regulating, and self-cleaning qualities. It is also breathable. The majority of the time, it will suffice to simply shake your woollen clothing gently or lay them flat on a chair overnight to let them air out. If your knitwear does need cleaning, hand wash it in cool water with eco-friendly wool detergent. It’s vital to stay away from harsh detergents and bleach because they can harm the delicate fabric. Your knitwear should not be rubbed or scrubbed as this can result in surface deterioration; instead, let the item soak for up to ten minutes before giving it a good cleaning with clean water.

How to get stains out of knit clothing

If at all possible, immediately rinse any stains with warm or cold water. If that doesn’t work, attempt spot-cleaning. Use a clean, damp towel and some wool laundry detergent to gently tap the stain rather than scrubbing or rubbing it. Avoid aggressive cleaners and detergents with bleach since they might fade the colour and surface of your knits.

ways to dry knits

Maintaining your knitwear’ quality and shape requires proper drying. Knitwear should never be wrung out or left to hang dry since wool expands quickly, especially when wet. Instead, gently press the item after rolling it in a clean, dry towel. The knit should be gently eased into shape and laid flat on top of a dry towel or a drying rack once the towel has absorbed the excess water. While you might be tempted to put your woollen clothing close to or on top of a heater to dry it more quickly, you should resist the urge to do so because too much heat might harm the delicate fibres and cause your knitwear to shrink.

How to preserve knits

Wool stretches readily, so it’s best to fold knits neatly and store them in a drawer or shelf with sufficient space between them because densely packed clothing provides an ideal setting for moths. If you want to keep moths away from your knits, keep dried cedar or lavender in your closet. If you intend to store your knitwear throughout the summer, remember to give it a gentle shake now and again.

How to deal with pulled and pilling yarn

Wool will soften with each use, but it may also begin to show “pilling”—small particles of fluff—especially in places that experience friction during use. Although it cannot be completely prevented, pilling can be minimised by preventing friction, such as by avoiding bags and belts that rub against knit fabrics. It’s crucial to realise that pilling does not indicate bad craftsmanship and might even give a garment character. If you’d rather, you can delicately pull the pilling off with your hand. Depilling tools like “wool-razors” should be avoided because they can harm the fabric. You might also snag your knitwear on jewellery or other objects occasionally objects, and untie a thread. If this occurs, you can simply use a crochet hook to draw the yarn to the rear of the garment and tie a knot there. A hole will be made in your knitted item if you pull on it too tightly or cut the thread. Do not discard a clothing because a few stitches came undone because holes are readily repaired.