For most Brits knitwear is a winter wardrobe staple, however, its soft and cosy texture can mean it requires extra care to avoid bobbling or shrinking the garment. Over half (52%) of Brits admit they worry about washing knitted clothing out of fear of causing damage, with 45% often avoiding the task altogether in case they do something wrong.

To help those who feel overwhelmed by washing knitwear, Jan Yalchin, a senior knitwear designer at FatFace has shared her top 10 tips and tricks for caring for knitted clothing, including how to remove stubborn stains, the correct way to store knitwear and how to safely machine-wash it.

Jan Yalchin shares her top 10 non-negotiables for caring for knitwear:

Spot clean and avoid overwashing

“To avoid damaging the fabric, keep washing of knitwear to a minimum – if it’s a stain that needs treating, try spot-cleaning the area first rather than washing the whole garment. If the garment has picked up any food smells or needs refreshing, leave it on the line outside for a couple of hours instead.”

Hand wash where possible

Nearly a third of Brits (30%) feel they don’t know how to hand wash knitwear correctly.

“Hand washing is the safest option for preventing stretching or shrinking of a knitted garment, and can also help maintain its softness. Place the item of clothing in a bowl of lukewarm water and mild detergent and leave to soak for 10 to 15 minutes, before gently massaging the soap out in a bowl of clean water. Repeat until all soap residue has been removed and leave to air dry.”

Never hang, always fold

“Where possible, always avoid hanging knitted garments on hangers as the weight of the fabric can cause it to pull downwards changing its shape – this is particularly important for wool, cashmere, or any heavier knits.

“Instead, fold and place flat into drawers, avoiding over-packing the drawers as this can cause uneven pressure, fold lines, and aggravation when looking through the drawer to find other items.”

Avoid direct sunlight when drying

“Knitwear can be susceptible to shrinking when in contact with high heat, therefore once washed, dry knitted items in a cool shaded area rather than in direct sunlight and avoid using the dryer.”

A fabric shaver can help remove pilling

Three-quarters (75%) of Brits’ knitwear has suffered from pilling and bobbling.

“Pilling refers to the bobbles of yarn that form on the surface of a knitted garment after several wears or when the fabric is subject to excessive friction.

“If bobbling does occur, using a fabric shaver can be a great way to remove these build-ups of fibres, alternatively, a clean sharp razor can also work – but take care to avoid puncturing the surface. Regular removal can prevent larger bobbles from forming.”

Consider high-friction areas

“Since pilling is caused from excess friction on the fabric’s surface, it tends to occur under the armpits of a garment or the areas most in contact with a bag.

“To prevent this, consider what bag you’re planning to use when wearing knitted clothing, if you can swap to a rucksack or remove items to reduce the weight this can help to reduce friction.”

Wash with other delicate garments

“When washing a garment in the machine rather than by hand, wash with similarly soft fabrics such as light cotton or other knitwear, and avoid washing with anything that may cause damage such as coarse materials, buttons, sequins, or zips.”

Remove pen and ink stains with rubbing alcohol

“Alcohol-based solutions like rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser are great options for removing pen stains from knitwear. First plot the stain with a dry paper towel to remove excess then

damp a cloth with the solution and gently blot until it starts to lift, only targeting the stained area.”

Take care when storing long-term

“Typically knitted garments like jumpers and scarves are stored away over the summer and brought back out in the colder months, this means it’s vital these items are stored correctly to prevent any damage occurring. For best results, I’d recommend storing in breathable cotton garment bags with a lavender sachet, to protect from dust and pests as lavender is a natural repellent.”

Place garments in the freezer to kill moths

“If you’re concerned about moths hatching in your knitwear, placing the garment in a plastic bag before storing it in the freezer for 24 to 48 hours can kill any moth larvae that may have spawned.”

How to correctly wash knitwear in a washing machine:

Nearly a third (31%) of Brits lack confidence in knowing which washing machine settings to apply for knitwear.

“If you’d prefer to wash your knitted garment in the washing machine rather than by hand then make sure your machine is set to the correct settings to avoid any damage.

“Check the care label first, but typically you should use the delicate or wool cycle on a cold water cycle, to minimise agitation. Turn the garment inside out before placing it in the machine and use a mesh bag to protect the machine drum and other garments from damaging the knitted item. Any smaller items like gloves or socks can be placed in an old pair of tights.”

If shrinkage does occur, Jan explains how to restore it to its original shape:

“If an item of knitwear has shrunk from being in the washing machine, dryer, or by contact with sunlight, it doesn’t mean the garment has to be thrown away.

“Start by submerging it in cold to lukewarm water with a tablespoon of fabric softener or hair conditioner, and leave to soak for 30 minutes before gently rinsing in clean water to remove the conditioner. The fabric conditioner helps to relax the fibres and allows the shape to open up.

“Transfer to a towel and gently roll up with the garment inside to absorb any excess moisture, unroll, then lay flat on a dry towel. Once flat carefully and slowly stretch the item of clothing back to its original shape and size before leaving to air dry – if you have any round and heavy objects that can be used to pin the garment to the correct shape without puncturing the fabric then do so.”

For those looking to stock up on their knitwear and winter essentials, check out FatFace’s wide range of women’s jumpers and men’s hoodies, or explore the full knitwear care guide.

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