Knitwear Care -- Keep Every Jumper Soft, Sized and Bobble-Free
A good jumper is an investment, and how you care for it decides whether it lasts a decade or is ruined in one hot wash. Most knitwear damage -- shrinking, felting, stretching, bobbling -- comes from washing, drying or storing it wrong for the fibre. This hub gives you the complete routine for keeping knitwear soft, sized and looking new, from washing and drying through storage to de-pilling and repair. It pulls together the care advice across the centre and links to the fabric care hub, the de-pilling guide and the full clothing care guide.
Washing & Drying
Reading the Care Label
The maker's instructions for keeping a knit in shape.
What to do
Always check the care label first. The tub symbol shows washing (a number gives the maximum temperature, a hand means hand wash, a cross means do not wash), and a bar underneath means be gentle. The square covers drying, and a crossed-out tumble-dry symbol means dry flat instead.
Why it matters
The label is the maker's honest instruction, tuned to that exact fibre and construction. Reading it takes seconds and prevents most of the shrinking and felting disasters that ruin knitwear.
Washing Knitwear
Cool, gentle washing protects every fibre.
What to do
Wash knitwear in cool water on a gentle or wool cycle, or by hand, using a mild or wool-safe detergent. Turn it inside out to reduce surface pilling, do not overload the drum, and avoid fabric softeners on wool. Wool and cashmere especially need cool, gentle handling.
Why it matters
Heat and agitation are what felt and shrink wool and cashmere irreversibly. Cool, gentle washing keeps fibres soft and the garment its original size for many years.
Drying Knitwear Flat
Why you should never hang or tumble dry a wet knit.
What to do
Gently press out excess water -- never wring -- then reshape the jumper and dry it flat on a towel, away from direct heat and sunlight. Never tumble dry wool or cashmere, and never hang a wet knit, as the weight of the water pulls it out of shape.
Why it matters
How you dry matters as much as how you wash. Hanging a wet jumper stretches it; tumble heat shrinks and felts it. Drying flat in shape preserves both size and form.
Storing & Protecting
Storing Knitwear
Fold, never hang, and store clean.
What to do
Fold knitwear and store it on a shelf or in a drawer rather than hanging it, which stretches the shoulders out of shape. Store everything clean and dry, in a cool, dark place, and use breathable storage rather than sealed plastic that can trap moisture.
Why it matters
Hanging is the most common storage mistake -- it leaves shoulder bumps and stretches knits permanently. Folding keeps a jumper in shape and ready to wear.
Protecting Against Moths
Keeping wool and cashmere safe in storage.
What to do
Moths are drawn to dirty natural fibres, so always store wool and cashmere clean. Use cedar blocks or lavender sachets as a natural deterrent, air stored knitwear occasionally, and keep an eye out for the small holes and loose fibres that signal an infestation.
Why it matters
Moth damage is heartbreaking and preventable. Clean storage and natural deterrents protect your most valuable knits, especially over the summer when wool is packed away.
Seasonal Storage
Putting knitwear away for the warmer months.
What to do
Before storing knitwear for the season, wash or clean every piece so no stains or odours attract moths, let it dry fully, then fold it into breathable boxes or bags with cedar or lavender. Store in a cool, dry place out of direct light to prevent fading.
Why it matters
Proper seasonal storage means your knitwear comes out next autumn in the same condition it went away -- clean, in shape and undamaged, rather than musty, moth-eaten or misshapen.
Reviving & Repairing
De-Pilling & Reviving
Removing bobbles to keep knits looking new.
What to do
Remove pills gently with a knitwear comb or a fabric shaver, working in one direction over a flat surface, rather than pulling them off by hand which can damage the knit. Refresh a knit by steaming lightly to relax the fibres and even out the surface.
Why it matters
De-pilling is the single biggest way to keep an older jumper looking new. The de-pilling guide walks through the technique in full detail.
Repairing Knitwear
Small fixes that add years to a jumper.
What to do
Deal with snags by gently pulling the loop through to the inside rather than cutting it, and catch small holes or loose seams early before they grow. A little careful darning or a visit to a good repairer can save a jumper that would otherwise be written off.
Why it matters
A few minutes of repair keeps a good knit in service for years and out of landfill. Catching snags and small holes early is far easier than fixing a large one later.
Frequently asked questions
How do I wash a wool or cashmere jumper without ruining it?
Wash it gently in cool water, either by hand or on a dedicated wool cycle, using a mild or wool-safe detergent. Never use hot water, never wring or scrub it, and never tumble dry it -- heat and agitation cause wool and cashmere to felt and shrink permanently. Gently press out the water, reshape the jumper and dry it flat on a towel away from direct heat. Turn it inside out before washing to reduce surface pilling, and always check the care label first.
Why should I fold knitwear instead of hanging it?
Knitwear should be folded because hanging stretches it out of shape. A jumper on a hanger is pulled down by its own weight, which stretches the shoulders and body and leaves permanent hanger bumps in the shoulders. Folding it flat on a shelf or in a drawer lets the knit keep its natural shape. This is especially important for heavier and looser knits and for delicate fibres like cashmere, which stretch most easily. Hang only if you have no choice, and use a folded-over padded hanger.
How do I stop my knitwear from bobbling?
Bobbling, or pilling, comes from abrasion working fibres loose, so the best prevention is choosing denser, two-ply knits in longer-staple fibres, which pill less. To reduce it in wear, wash knitwear inside out on a cool, gentle cycle and avoid heavy friction against bags and seatbelts. When bobbles appear, remove them carefully with a knitwear comb or fabric shaver rather than pulling them off. Some early pilling on soft fibres like cashmere is normal and settles after the first few wears.
How do I protect knitwear from moths in storage?
Moths are attracted to natural fibres, especially dirty ones, so always store wool and cashmere clean and dry -- wash or clean each piece before putting it away. Fold knitwear into breathable boxes or bags rather than sealed plastic, and add cedar blocks or lavender sachets as a natural deterrent. Keep storage cool, dark and dry, air the knitwear occasionally, and check periodically for the small holes and loose fibres that signal moths. Clean storage is the single most effective protection.
Can I revive an old jumper that looks worn?
Often, yes. The most effective revival is de-pilling -- removing the bobbles with a knitwear comb or fabric shaver instantly makes a jumper look newer. Gentle steaming relaxes the fibres and evens out the surface, and washing and reshaping can restore a knit that has lost its form. Snags can be pulled through to the inside, and small holes or loose seams repaired by careful darning or a good repairer. With a little care, a tired-looking jumper can often be brought back to several more years of wear.