Caring for knitwear and wool in winter
How to wash, dry and store jumpers and roll-necks so they keep their shape, never stretch or shrink, and last longer.
Knitwear and wool will last for years if you follow a few simple rules. The biggest mistakes are hot water, spin cycles and drying on a hanger: that is exactly what makes pieces shrink or stretch out. Let's go through the care step by step.
Washing
Wash in cool water (up to 30 °C), on a delicate cycle or by hand.
Use a detergent for wool and delicate fabrics, without bleach.
Turn the piece inside out — this leaves fewer bobbles.
Don't spin-dry: gently press the water out by hand, without wringing.
Drying
Dry knitwear flat only, laid out on a towel and reshaped by hand. On a hanger, wet wool stretches under its own weight, and there's no getting the silhouette back. Keep it away from direct sun and radiators.
Bobbling
Bobbling is normal, especially in the first few weeks. Remove the bobbles with a dedicated fabric shaver or razor every few wears, rather than pulling them off by hand — that way you won't damage the knit.
Storage
Store jumpers folded, not on hangers. For the summer, put them away in a fabric garment bag with moth protection. Let a piece rest between wears — knitwear recovers its shape if you don't wear it several days in a row.
Proper care pays off most on the basics — the jumpers and roll-necks you wear all season long.