Knitwear Care Guide

How Often Should You Wash Knitwear?

We recommend washing knits perhaps every 8-10 wears, or longer if possible!

However, the answer really depends on the material and situation but washing too often can weaken the fibres, changing the garment’s shape or cause piling.

Premium knitwear is made from natural fibres such as cashmere, lambswool, and merino wool and these materials have natural antibacterial properties. They don’t hold onto smells the same way other fabrics do.

If you can get away with just a spot clean rather than a full wash, this will support garment longevity.

So, inbetween wears it's a good idea to air your knits and use breathable base layers to prevent your knitwear from directly touching your skin. Cotton T-shirts and vests are particularly good as they're thin while simultaneously creating extra dimension to your outfits. 

How To Air Out Your Knits

• Lay your knitwear flat in a well-ventilated place, away from direct heat, for 24 hours.
• Avoid hanging your knitwear, as it can stretch.
• Spot clean any stains or marks, such as make around the neckline before airing or storing your knits away. 
• If odours remain, wash your knit following the wash care provided on the care label and follow our guidance below.

How To Wash Knitwear

Start With The Right Detergent

For cashmere, merino, lambswool and wool blends, choose a mild detergent specifically labelled as suitable for wool.

Follow the detergent’s dosing instructions. More detergent doesn't mean a better clean, and excess can leave residue. Avoid standard biological detergents and bleach on wool and silk, and skip fabric conditioner.

How To Handwash Your Knitwear

1. First, empty any pockets and check for loose threads.
2. Use cool water as specified on the label and add the correct dose of detergent.
3. Gently move it through the water without scrubbing or stretching.
4. Soaking time will depend on the specific garment. Cashmere can soak for 15 minutes, but we don’t recommend soaking merino wool for long. Always check the label for specific instructions.
5. Use clean water at the specified temperature.
6. Press out the water gently without wringing and support the garment when lifting it out to avoid the weight of the water from stretching the fibres.
7. Transfer it to a clean towel to dry - learn how to do this correctly by following our simple steps below.

Can You Put Knitwear in The Washing Machine?

1. Check the label to confirm it’s machine washable. Many are handwash-only.
2. Use a pill comb to remove any bobbles before closing any zippers or fastening any buttons.
3. Turn the garment inside out to protect the fibres from pilling.
4. Place the knitwear in a mesh laundry bag to reduce friction against the drum.
5. Place in the drum and select a cool, delicate wash, as specified on the care label. This usualy a wool, hand-wash or delicate cycle with cold water (30c or lower).
6. Pour the correct amount of mild liquid detergent.
7. Set the spin speed to low.

How To Dry Knitwear Without Stretching It

Unless the care label permits it, we recommend avoiding a tumble dryer or hanging your knitwear to dry. Hanging a heavy jumper by its shoulders can pull it out of shape, and tumble dryers can cause shrinkage, felting, and bobbling.

Instead, we recommend flat drying:

• Place the garment on a clean towel and gently roll it up to absorb moisture, without twisting.
• Unroll it and lay the knit on a fresh, dry towel or a flat drying surface that supports the whole garment.
• Ease the body, sleeves and edges back into shape while damp. Avoid pulling them longer or wider.
• Leave it to dry away from radiators and direct sunlight, with air circulating around it.
• Ensure it has dried completely before folding away.

How To Store Knitwear and Protect It From Moths

Before storing your knitwear for a long time, make sure it’s clean. After a long summer, no one wants to find their favourite jumper with holes in it. Here are our top steps to prevent moths from attacking your cashmere and other knitwear:

1. Fold your knitwear rather than hanging it.
2. Use storage bags for long-term protection but avoid vacuum or air-seal bags as they compress the knitwear, reducing its lofitness.
3. Keep your wardrobe and drawers clean.
4. Use cedar or lavender as an extra deterrent.
5. Air out and rotate your knits.

Despite popular belief, it's not the moths themselves eating your clothes; it's their larvae. Moth larvae can live in your wardrobe for up to 2 years under some conditions, so prevention is key if you want to keep your luxury knitwear in good condition.

Check regularly for holes, loose threads, stains, snags, bobbling, and moth damage and tackle small issues early to help protect your knitwear.

How To Remove Pilling From Knitwear

It's worth taking a moment to understand that pilling is a natural part of wearing knitwear, particularly with soft fibres such as cashmere and merino. It's commonly found in ares that see a lot of movement so, under the arms and the sides. 

The simplest way to remove piling is with a specialist knitwear or cashmere comb. 

How To Use A Cashmere Comb

1. Make sure your knitwear is completely dry and lay it flat.
2. Gently hold the fabric taut.
3. Lightly comb the pilled area in one direction using short, smooth strokes. The aim is to lift away loose surface fibres, not thin the knit.
4. Remove the loosened fibres as you go.
5. Stop once the surface looks even — over-combing can eventually thin the fabric.

Done occasionally and carefully, combing is a simple way to keep good knitwear looking good for longer. 

Be particularly cautious around finer or more delicate areas.

You don’t need to comb knitwear after every wear and we recommend a specialist comb rather than an electric fabric shaver, which cuts fibres rather than gently lifting away the pills. 

Our Cashmere Comb is the perfect choice. Made from cedar wood with a fine metal mesh designed to lift pilling without pulling or damaging the fibres. Despite the name, it can also be used carefully on other fine knits prone to pilling.

Common Knitwear Mishaps

Here our our main do and don'ts when it comes to your knitwear:

Looking For A Material-specific Care Guide For Your Entire Wardrobe?

• Cashmere Care Guide
• Merino Care Guide
• Cotton Care Guide
• Silk Care Guide
• Naia™ Care Guide
• Linen Care Guide

And now that you’re up to speed on best practices for expert knitwear care, why not shop our women’s and men’s knitwear collections?