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Caring For Your Knitwear
The resurgence of the cardigan in modern fashion has seen it become a seasonal staple for this year’s autumn and winter months, due to a renewed popularity in premium knitwear being sported by the likes of Kylie Jenner and Sarah Jessica Parker.
When caring for your knitwear, it’s essential to recognise that excessive washing can strain the delicate fibres and lead to a loss in softness. This guide will help you care for your knitwear to keep it looking and feeling its best, for as long as possible – taking you through how best to wash, dry and maintain your Lounge knitwear.
How To Care for Your Knitwear?
It goes without saying that the Lounge Product Design team always recommends reading the label before washing your garments, taking care to follow the washing instructions will help maintain softness and quality.
To preserve the luxurious feel and longevity of your knitwear, the Product Design Team recommends opting to exclusively select a low and gentle cycle when machine washing your knitwear. This gentle method ensures that your knitwear maintains its flawless texture and impeccable fit without the risk of damage caused by traditional washing techniques.
What Happens If I Hand or Machine Wash Your Knitwear?
The majority of Lounge knitwear is suitable to be machine washed, however, it is recommended you always check the washing label first. For items that state dry cleaning only, exposing the garment to a machine wash can cause lasting and irreparable damage.
Machine cycles often spin your clothes throughout the washing process and, due to the delicate nature of the product’s construction, can encourage abrasions in the fabric and cause buttons and other detailing to come loose. However, with a low temperature, and gentle cycle, these risks are mitigated.
Similarly to a machine cycle, vigorously scrubbing your knitwear when hand washing can lead to the fabrics pilling and fraying – and allow for the shape to malform.
It is always important to check the care labels within your knitwear before washing, but if you’re curious as to what could happen if you do decide to hand or machine wash your knitwear incorrectly – the most common mishaps include:
- Shrinkage
- Stretching
- Colour fading
- Fraying
- Fibre damage
- Loss of softness
Washing Machine Settings To Use
When caring for your knitwear, always opt for the most delicate settings to preserve its luxurious quality.
Always select a cold water setting – and where possible opt for a gentle wool or delicate cycle. A low spin speed will prevent unnecessary agitation to your product, while a mild detergent that’s been specially formulated for delicate fabrics, ensures your knitwear remains soft. For added protection, place your garments in a mesh laundry bag, safeguarding them from snagging or stretching.
How To Dry Your Knitwear
The next step in the knitwear washing process is knowing how best to dry your garments.
The Lounge Product Design Team recommends avoiding tumble drying entirely, as stretching, fibre damage and shrinkage can occur. Instead, the best option is to lay your knitwear flat to air-dry, allowing it to maintain its perfect shape and soft texture.
Dry Cleaning
Dry Cleaning is the process of washing clothes, often with a chemical solvent, rather than water, to remove dirt, stains, and odours.
Offering the best washing solution to protect your garments, dry cleaning negates the risk of common mishaps like shrinking or colour fading.
The process is far gentler on the clothing’s fibres, preserving their natural elasticity and preventing any fraying. This ensures your pieces maintain their luxurious feel and fit over time.
How To Remove Stains From Knitwear?
Another important part of caring for your knitwear is knowing how to remove stains when they appear. If you do find a stain on your knitwear:
- Act quickly – The sooner you treat the stain, the easier it will be to remove.
- Blot – Blot the stain gently with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel to absorb as much of the liquid as possible.
- Avoid rubbing – This can push the stain deeper into the fibres, permanently ruining your knitwear.
- Use cold water – Rinse the stained area under cold water, allowing the water to flow through the fabric from the back of the stain. Hot water can set stains, especially on delicate fibres like wool or cashmere.
- Apply a Mild Detergent – Use a gentle, wool-friendly detergent or a stain remover specifically designed for delicate fabrics. Apply a small amount directly to the stain and gently work it into the fabric with your fingers. Avoid harsh chemicals or bleach, which can damage knitwear.
If these steps do not work, take your knitwear to a professional cleaning service.