How to Wash Your Knitwear: A Guide on How to Keep Your Knitwear in Tip-Top Condition

Knitwear never goes out of style, combining warmth and comfort with an undeniable touch of classic style. From chunky knit sweaters to lightweight cardigans, a well-cared-for knit is a basic necessity of every wardrobe. However, knitwear needs a little more care than your average piece of clothing— especially when you're dealing with vintage pieces. The following steps describe how to wash, dry, and store your favourite pieces so that your knitwear can remain in good condition for many years to come.

Whether you’re an amateur in knitwear or an avid fan, the proper care makes all the difference. Anyone interested in collecting authentic styles should be sure to take a look at the selection handpicked at Relco London's Men's Vintage Knitwear.

1. Check the Label

Before anything, take a look at the care label inside your knitwear. Each breed of wool or yarn may have somewhat different washing needs. The label will let you know whether it is machine washable or best treated with a delicate hand wash or even dry cleaning.

For example

• Machine Washable: Some knits come in synthetic blends that allow machine washing but use the gentle cycle.
• Hand Wash Only: Most natural fibres, such as wool, cashmere, and mohair, should be hand-washed to avoid shrinkage and felting.
• Dry Clean Only: If it says dry clean only, this is usually a good guideline, especially with your more delicate vintage knits.

2. Hand Washing Your Knitwear

The safest way to wash most knitwear, particularly vintage styles, is by hand. Here's how to do it correctly:

Materials Needed:

• A basin or sink
• Mild detergent or wool wash
• Towels

Steps:

1. Fill Basin: Fill a basin or sink with lukewarm water. The water should not be hot, as this may cause wool to shrink.

2. Add Detergent: Add a small amount of mild detergent appropriate for washing wool or delicates. Regular detergents are typically too harsh for wool fibres.

3. Soak the Knit: Place your knitwear in the water and gently swish it around, enabling the detergent to work its way through the fibres. Be careful not to stretch or twist the material.

4. Rinse Carefully: Throw away the soapy water, then refill the basin with clean, lukewarm water. Work gently to rework the knit until all the soap is off. Do not wring or twist the knits since that can stretch the fibres.

3. Machine Washing Tips

If the label confirms that the item may be machine-washed, here is how you should proceed to keep your knitwear in top condition:

Machine Washing Steps:

Use a Mesh Laundry Bag: To prevent snagging, place the knitwear in a mesh laundry wash bag.

- Choose the Right Wash Cycle: If possible, use a delicate or wool cycle in cold water to prevent shrinkage.

- Washing Detergent Designed for Wool: Using any old washing detergent may be a bit too harsh; therefore, use one specifically designed for wool.

- Avoid Spin Cycle: If possible, set the spin to its lowest setting or avoid it altogether. High speeds may be bad for the fibres as they can stretch or even break.

4. Drying Knitwear

Dry properly in order to preserve the shape and integrity of your knitwear. It is advisable not to hang wet knits since this may be a source of stretching.

Steps for Drying:

• Press Out Excess Water: After washing, lay the knitwear on a clean, dry towel and lay it flat. Gently roll the towel with the knitwear inside in order to press out excess water without wringing.
• Reshape and Lay Flat: Place the knit on a second dry towel on a flat surface, such as on a drying rack or table. Carefully reshape it to its original form, adjusting the sleeves and hemline as needed.
• Avoid Heat: Your knit should be kept away from direct sunlight or any sources of heat, as these may result in fading or shrinkage.

Flat drying is the best way to dry knitwear to avoid stretches. Some of the old ones take time to dry out because yarns can be thicker or else thinner and more fragile, but patience is a virtue for keeping your knits as good as new.

5. Removing Stains from Knitwear

Knits are particularly tricky when it comes to stains, but if you know how to approach this type of fabric, it is entirely safe with the fibres, too.

Stain Removal Tips:

• Strike When the Moment is Hot: The moment you catch a stain, the easier it is to get rid of it.

• Spot Clean with Care: Dab, using a cloth and a drop of any mild detergent or wool-friendly stain remover, but don't rub. Be careful not to push the stain further into the fibres.
• Cold Water Rise: After treating the stain, use cold water to rinse out the detergent since hot water can set certain stains.

6. How to Store Knitwear

Proper storage keeps your knitwear fresh for the next cold season. Follow these steps to avoid moths, stretching, or dust accumulation.

Storage Tips:

• Clean Before Storing: Always store knitwear clean because dirt and oils will attract moths and slowly break down fibres.
• Use Breathable Containers: Plastic storage bags hold moisture inside the fabric and invite mildew. Use cotton bags or fabric-lined bins instead.
• Add Moth Repellent: To help prevent moth damage, add natural moth repellents, such as blocks of cedar or sachets of lavender, to your storage container.

7. How to Handle Pilling

Pilling is the natural effect that happens when the fibres have been chafing against each other. It can't be totally avoided, but it can be minimised so your knitted garments will look great all the time.

Removing Pilling:

• Use a Sweater Comb or Fabric Shaver: With great care, gently move the comb or shaver in an effortless glide across the face of the fabric to remove pills from it. Be very gentle; too much pressure will ruin the knit.
• Avoid Friction: Where possible, avoid wearing jackets or carriers over your knitwear, as these may cause pilling through friction.

8. How to Care for Vintage Knitwear

If you’re an enthusiast of vintage pieces from Relco London, then you already know that such items need just that extra bit of love and care for them to look their best. Your vintage knits may be a little more delicate because of their age, so you must always handle them with care.

Vintage Care Tips:

• Hand Wash Only: Most of the vintage knits were not designed to bear machine washing. To keep their condition intact, it is best to hand wash them.
• Avoid Bright Light: Natural fibres tend to fade out after some time in direct sunlight. While drying or storing the vintage knits, one should keep them in a cool, shaded place.
• Rotate Your Knits: Wearing one item too much may expose it to pilling, or too much thinning at high friction points. Such a rotation of the particular vintage knit with the rest of your wardrobe can keep them intact.

Enjoy Your Knitwear for Years to Come!

Investing some time into looking after your knit collection will definitely pay off in the long run. Take your time with washing, drying, and storing, and you will still be in great shape-whether it is a contemporary classic or a treasured vintage find from Relco London's collection.

From the correct ways of washing to how pilling can be avoided, every single aspect of knitwear care plays a crucial role in keeping these pieces sharp. If done right, you'll preserve the soft texture, the bright colours, and the shape of your knitwear to wear for many winters.