THE RI CARE GUIDE: KNITWEAR EDITION

We’re gearing up for a knitwear-heavy season, so it’s the perfect time to learn how to extend the life of your favourite jumpers, cardigans and more. Too often a go-to piece ends up neglected because of a sag or stain, and we’re here to change that, helping you keep your knits soft, cosy, and wearable season after season, so you can enjoy the pieces you love for years to come.

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First thing’s first: check the care label inside your garments to make sure they can be machine washed.

MACHINE WASHABLE

If your knitwear is machine wash-friendly, there’s three essential tips you should know before you start washing. Firstly, make sure to use the ‘wool’ or ‘delicates/ hand wash’ setting. Next, choose the slowest spin cycle possible, as wool or delicate fibres aren’t a fan of too much movement. Lastly, make sure to set the lowest temperature, 20c or 30c is preferable, as heat can cause shrinkage.

NOT MACHINE WASHABLE

The spin of a washing machine can be harsh on delicate knit fibres and cause shrinkage. So hand washing may be the better option. Hand wash in cool water with non-bio detergent. Your jumpers will thank you for their longer life and lasting shape.

DON’T OVER-WASH

Over cleaning your knitted garment can wear it down. Friction from washing and drying can cause the dreaded bobbling, which you want to avoid for as long as you can. We recommend spot-washing wherever possible, because you definitely don’t need to do a full wash for a tiny stain!

TUMBLE DRY GENTLY

If you want to tumble dry your garment, first check the label to ensure it’s safe to do so. When tumble drying, ensure you use the lowest heat setting, for as short a time as possible.

LAY FLAT & FOLD

Knits don’t want to be hang-dried. When dried this way, the dampness creates a weight which stretches them out of shape. We recommend laying your knits flat on a towel to dry, before folding them away.

GO PRO

Every now and then, treat your knitwear to a professional launder. Expert care keeps fibres soft, colours fresh, and shapes intact. Think of it as a well-deserved little spa day for your favourite piece.

DON’T PUT AWAY DIRTY LAUNDRY

Even a trace of perfume can settle into fibres over time. If your knit needs a wash and you don’t think you’ll be wearing it until next season, resist the temptation to fold it away dirty – get the job done before you store it away. That way, it’ll be fresh when you’re ready to pull it out again.

DARN IT

Holes in your knitwear? They’re easier to fix than you think. You can even buy stuff called bondaweb which you iron-on to fuse holes back together again. You can find hundreds of straightforward video tutorials online, for anyone with a needle and a thread who’s up for doing the sewing work by hand. If it means rescuing a much-loved jumper then it’s worth a watch.

Knitwear should be built to last; and with a little extra care, yours will. Because these pieces deserve more than one season in the spotlight.

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