Advertisement
Home Fashion & Beauty Fashion News

Stretch your knits further

Knitwear that is properly cared for will last for several years. Here’s how to lengthen the life of your knits: 

Advertisement

Washing and rinsing by handFor woollen garments, hand-wash in luke warm water using a mild soap, good quality shampoo or mild hand wash detergent. Gently squeeze the suds through the garment, taking care not to rub or wring. Rinse in luke warm water.

Shrinking will occur if you agitate the garment and use warm or hot water to wash, then cold water to rinse. The switch in water temperatures can cause shrinking.

Washing by machineScarves, hats and mittens can be washed in a machine on a Knit or Gentle cycle, using a mild soap (not laundry detergent). Make sure you set the water temperature to warm. If you cannot control washing and rinsing temperatures, wash your garments by hand.

You can remove excess water from the garment by putting it through the gentle spin cycle on your washing machine. But be careful – do not rinse, simply use the spin cycle to remove as much water as possible, then lay it flat to dry. Sweaters and other large garments are better washed by hand. They might stretch in the washing machine.

Advertisement

DryingWhen your garments are washed and rinsed, dry them flat, ideally on a dry towel. Keep them away from sunlight and heat sources like fires or heaters. Do not tumble dry.

IroningWhen the garment is dry, it can be ironed with a cool iron. Make sure the iron is set to Wool and use a damp towel to cover the item so you do not iron directly on to the fabric.

DrycleaningWoollens may also be drycleaned but it is not recommended because the chemical process involved may damage wool over time.

Advertisement

Related stories


Get The Australian Woman’s Weekly NZ home delivered!  

Subscribe and save up to 38% on a magazine subscription.

Advertisement
Advertisement