Knitwear is a must-have for autumn and winter. Whether it’s sweaters, cardigans, or even dresses, we always end up with 10 sweaters in every color and style “just in case.”
To save you from having to replace your sweaters every year because they have shrunk to your little sister’s size, here are our tips for taking care of your knitwear.
Before washing:
- Sort your knitwear by color
If you love your sweaters and want to preserve their beautiful colors, forget color-catching laundry sheets and sort your clothes by color instead.
- Treat stains before washing
Marseille soap or gall soap is generally very effective. Simply apply a small amount and gently rub the stained area using small circular motions on the knitwear. Rinse the stain and put the garment straight into the washing machine.
Washing:
- Machine washing
WARNING—this is a crucial point that shouldn’t be overlooked! Choose a cold-water cycle. Unless you want to pass your sweater on to your old Barbie doll, it’s important to wash it in cold water: 30°C is ideal and 40°C is the maximum. To avoid damaging the knitwear and keep your sweater intact, disable the spin cycle or select a maximum of 400 rpm.
- Hand washing
We know this is the part we like least, but if you have the courage or the time, you can choose a more traditional method: hand washing. Follow Grandma’s advice and you can’t go wrong: soak your garment in a sink, bowl, or colorfast plastic basin filled with the secret mixture (lukewarm or cold water + detergent). Leave it to soak for 5 to 10 minutes, then gently rub the garment against itself. Finally, rinse it, gently squeezing it each time, in 3 baths of cold water to remove the used water thoroughly.
After washing:
- Spinning
There’s no need to wring and twist it like a dishcloth. Simply squeeze it gently, then press it in a clean bath towel to remove the excess water.
- Drying
Forget the tumble dryer! Air-drying is the only option. To help your sweater or cardigan retain its original shape, we recommend drying it flat on a table. The aim is to avoid stretching the knitwear. Never hang it on a hanger to dry, or you risk deforming the shoulders!
Caring for your knitwear:
- Avoiding pilling
Hand washing and flat drying help prevent pilling. If pills do appear, don’t worry. Simply shave your garment very gently with an electric fabric shaver.
- Storage
Avoid storing knitwear on hangers to prevent the shoulders from becoming misshapen. To make sure your sweater or cardigan is stored properly, we recommend simply folding it.
- Repairing your knitwear
A pulled stitch: You don’t need to be a knitting expert to repair a pulled stitch sticking out of your sweater. There are two solutions: a crochet hook borrowed from Grandma or a safety pin. Take the pulled stitch, pull it through to the inside, and you’re done!
A hole in the knitwear: This step is a little more delicate. If you have some knowledge of sewing or knitting, you can simply take the two ends of the thread creating the hole and tie them into a discreet knot. Otherwise, ask someone qualified for help so you don’t unravel your entire sweater.
Fashion highlight: here is our selection of sweaters and cardigans that we LOVE! Here.
