Here’s How To Properly Care For Knitwear And Keep These Delicate Garments Looking Good As New For As Long As Possible
It is chilly outside in many parts of the US, and we are smack dab in the middle of knitwear season.
Sometimes, there’s nothing like wearing a beautiful, warm knit sweater or dress on a cold winter day. I know that when this time of year rolls around, I tend to overdo it in terms of knitwear, and I want to wear my favorite knit pieces all the time.
However, if you’re a big fan of knit clothes, you should know how to care for them properly. Like many articles of clothing, wearing your favorite knit pieces repeatedly and not doing much in the way of properly cleaning and storing them will wear them down.
The fibers in knitwear can be extremely delicate, so you want to treat your knitwear gently and be prepared to put some extra effort into protecting it so it lasts much longer.
If you can, avoid washing your knitwear for as long as possible. I know this may sound a bit icky, but constantly washing your knitwear will not help it last longer.
When it comes to washing your knitwear, you want to pay attention to what it’s made of. If your knitwear is made from wool or any other kind of animal hair, you don’t want to shove it in the washing machine. Gently handwashing knitwear made from animal hair is the best way to go.
However, if your wool or animal hair knitwear says it can be machine washed on the label, only put it in on a delicate cycle setting.
Knitwear made of synthetic fabrics is usually stronger for the washing machine but should also be washed in a delicate setting.
Instead of hanging your knitwear to dry or putting it in a dryer, lay it flat and let it air dry. This will prevent the fabric from getting stretched out or distorted.
GTeam – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
While you may think putting your knitwear on a hanger or folding it up and having it sit on a shelf in your closet year-round is the best way to store it, think again.
Putting your knitwear on a hanger can stretch it out, and leaving it out in the open can make it susceptible to moths.
The best thing to do is keep your knitwear neatly folded in a vacuum-sealed bag during the months you won’t wear it.
When it’s colder outside, and you wear it frequently, routinely use natural insect repellents to keep moths out of your wardrobe.
There you have it: some easy tips for taking care of your beloved knitwear. These pieces keep you warm in the winter and give off the coziest vibes, so you want to take good care of them and keep them around as long as possible.
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