Caring for KnitwearUpdated 8 days ago
Storing Your Knitwear
To preserve the natural shape of your knitwear, it is recommended to store them gently folded and stored on shelves or in drawers. It is best to store knitwear with any zippers or buttons done up.
If you prefer to hang your knitwear, we recommend using clothing hangers with rounded corners to avoid misshaping the garments. Please note that hanging knitwear garments for extended periods may impact the shape of your garments.
Caring for Wool
Resting
It is recommended to let wool garments rest for 24 hours between wears. This allows the natural spring and resilience of wool fibres to recover and return to their original shape.
Long-term Storage
Food and body oils may attract moths, so it is best to ensure your wool garments are clean and dry before storing them long-term. It is recommended to pack your garments in airtight containers away from light or in a cedar chest and/or with cedar chips to help repel pests.
Washing Wool
To extend the life of your wool products, wash them as little as possible! They require less frequent washing. Wool is naturally odour-resistant due to a natural protective outer layer that prevents stains from being absorbed.
When it is time to wash your wool garment, always follow the care instructions on the label.
Handwashing the garment inside out, in cold water with a mild, neutral wool detergent is typically recommended. Avoid heavy-duty detergents, detergents containing bleach, and fabric softeners.
Spot clean whenever possible with a cloth and cold water! If your wool garment is cashmere, you can use a mild shampoo to spot clean, as it is made with natural animal hairs.
Drying Wool
After washing, reshape your wool garments while wet and lay flat to dry. You can help speed up the drying process by laying the wet garment on a clean, dry towel. Allow it to dry slowly and away from direct sunlight or heat.
Caring for Cotton
Washing Cotton
When it is time to wash your cotton garment, always follow the care instructions on the label.
Washing cotton in cold water on a gentle cycle is typically recommended. Wash cotton garments inside out to prevent damage and pilling from friction with the washing machine.
Cotton can be washed regularly! Spot clean stains as soon as possible. If the stain is fresh, the cotton fibre should release it easily.
If you find your cotton knitwear losing its shape, washing it will help.
Drying Cotton
After washing, reshape your cotton garments and lay them flat on a clothing rack or a clean towel. Avoid hanging, which can cause the weight of water to misshape the garments.
Allow cotton garments to dry slowly and away from direct sunlight or heat.
Caring for Cotton/Linen Blends
Washing Cotton/Linen Blends
When it is time to wash your cotton/linen garment, always follow the care instructions on the label. Washing a cotton/linen blend by hand or in cold water on a gentle cycle is typically recommended.
Drying Cotton/Linen Blends
After washing, reshape your cotton/linen garments and lay them flat on a clothing rack or a clean towel to air dry. Avoid hanging, which can cause the weight of water to misshape the garments.
Pilling
What is Pilling?
Pilling (sometimes referred to as bobbling) is the formation of little fuzzy balls that commonly build up on wool, cashmere, and even cotton garments.
Pilling occurs due to rubbing and abrasion during wear. This can occur anywhere on the garment but usually occurs in high-friction areas such as the elbows, armpits, and sleeves.
Pilling is unavoidable and happens less with natural fibres than with synthetic blends.
Preventing Pilling
While pilling is unavoidable, the following preventative measures can be taken to reduce it:
- Wash garments inside out
- Avoid using fabric softeners
- Minimize abrasion when wearing (example: wear your purse strap over your jacket, not directly over your knit sweater)
Removing Pilling
You can give your garments a complete refresh by removing the pilling!
If there is a small amount of pilling you wish to remove, this can easily be done by hand. This should be done routinely after drying.
This can also be done with a wool or cashmere comb. To do so, lay the garment on a flat surface and slowly comb the pilled area. Make sure to do so gently and carefully.
Avoid electric garment shavers as they are too aggressive for more delicate garments.