Written by Menswear Style in Tips & Advice on the 15th November 2024

When it comes to the winter months, your knitwear is going to get a lot of wear time, and knowing how to correctly wash and store those more delicate items is key to making them last. Whether you’ve had knitwear for years and you just want a refresher on best practices, or you’ve recently invested in some new pieces for winter and want to make sure they’re going to last for the long haul – we can help! This is everything you need to know when it comes to washing and storing your knitwear correctly to ensure it looks great for years to come.

Firstly, does it matter what my jumper is made from? 

The short answer to this question is yes. The material your knitwear and jumpers are made from can make a huge difference when it comes to how you wash and dry them. If you’ve got a few men’s knitwear pieces that are 100% wool in your wardrobe, you’ll need to be aware that they are far more delicate than other kinds of jumpers made of materials like cotton or blends. Whilst most rules when it comes to knitwear are blanket rules across the board, you will need to be extra careful with your woollen jumpers. Wool is prone to stretching, warping and shrinking so you really have to take extra care when washing and storing woollen jumpers.

So, what are the best ways to wash knitwear? 

Whether your knitwear is made from wool, cotton, a blend or something else entirely, there are a few ways that washing knitted jumpers differs from a simple T-shirt. These are some of the things you should keep in mind when it comes to washing knitwear: 

Wash Less Often 

When it comes to washing knitwear, less really is more. Instead of washing your knitwear every time you wear it, try to avoid washing it as much as possible and instead opt for spot cleaning or airing out your pieces. If you’re going to air out your knitwear, try to do so in a well-ventilated room or outdoors as long as there isn’t any rain.

Try To Wash By Hand 

When it comes to washing knitwear, the best way to go is to hand wash your pieces. When it comes to handwashing, you want to handwash your items in cold water and use a mild, wool-specific detergent. Avoid bleach or wringing out your knitwear too vigorously, as this can cause your items to become misshapen. 

If You Have To Use A Washing Machine, Follow These Steps 

If hand washing isn’t an option and you have to machine wash your knitwear – that’s okay! Just be sure to turn your items inside out, use a mesh bag and choose a gentle cycle with a low spin speed on cold. You again need to ensure you’re using gentle detergents that are suitable for wool and make sure you’re washing your items with similar colours or alone. 

Dry Flat 

When it comes to knitwear, it has a tendency to lose its shape – especially if you hang it up to dry. When you hang knitwear to dry, the weight of the wool and the water can pull the fibres down and cause it to end up out of shape. Instead, to dry your knitwear, you want to gently roll it in a towel to remove excess water, then lay it completely flat on a rack or table to dry.

What about storage? 

When it comes to storing your knitwear, whether in your wardrobe during winter or in storage during the warmer months, you want to make sure it is stored flat. You don't ever want to hang your knitwear as the weight will end up stretching out the sleeves and the shoulders. Rather than hanging your pieces, store them folded in a drawer or a storage tub during summer to ensure they’re flat and will remain in their optimal condition at all times. 

Knitwear to last you for years to come! 

Proper care of your knitwear, including washing and storing it correctly, is the key to ensuring that your items will last you for many winters to come. Ensure you’re storing it flat, washing it gently, and not hanging it up to dry, and you’ll be sure they have your favourite knits for a number of years!

Wash Less Often, Try To Wash By Hand, Dry Flat, and Knitwear Materials.