I’m a firm believer that we should be trying to extend the life of the things we have. Not only does this save me money, but also helps me cut down my consumption and is a great eco-friendly habit to get into. But, things like knitwear can be hard to maintain because they’re typically made of delicate fabric that tends to lose structural integrity over time. So are knits fated to last only a short time once added to your wardrobe? Not if you know how to wash knitwear properly!
As a gal who lives in sweaters, I often get asked how I maintain my knits because pieces that I’ve had for longer than a decade still look new. Surprisingly, taking care of knitwear is easier than it seems and boils down to how you take care of your pieces! With that in mind, here are my 8 simple tips that’ll help you learn how to wash knitwear so it lasts a lifetime.
General disclaimer:
As with anything, use your best judgment. These are general recommendations that work for me and, in turn, may be helpful for others! Although these tips are gentle and should work for most things, if you’re unsure about something, check the care label of your garments before proceeding. I stand by these tips and use them for my own pieces, but ultimately I suggest you do what suits your needs.
What do you need to wash knitwear properly and maintain your knit pieces?
My tips on how to wash knitwear honestly don’t require any special tools or products. Proper care boils down to actions and not so much on commodities. I’d say, first and foremost, stick to changing habits to support the longevity of your pieces. Then all you really need is a good and gentle detergent!
I know a lot of people swear by things like mesh bags to keep knits protected while being washed. I find that mesh bags are unnecessary because I pick the right cycle for knits and always take steps to protect the knits from getting snagged in the wash. For example, I always clasp any hooks or zip up any zippers on other clothes that are going to accompany my knits in the wash.
However, I will say that if I did have to pick a tool to recommend that’ll help improve the longevity of knitwear it’d be a fabric shaver. For a small investment, removing pilling on sweaters and knits can really improve their look and stop them from looking old. Regardless, I still believe that good maintenance habits are all you really need for proper knitwear care.
How to wash knitwear:
These tips are simple and helpful ways you can keep your knit pieces looking good for years to come. You don’t need to do all to improve the longevity of your knitwear, but I suggest trying as many as possible for the best results. Okay, on to my 8 best practice tips on how to wash knitwear!
Gently spot treat.
Pulling, tugging, and scrubbing knits can really damage them so be gentle when spot treating! Instead, I suggest you spray your spot treatment or gently dab some detergent on any spots if needed. Once you’ve applied your spot treatment or detergent, just let it sit for a handful of minutes before washing instead of scrubbing it into the fibers of the knitwear.
Turn knits inside out before washing.
Because things will rub against each other and potentially snag on your knitwear in the wash, washing them inside out ensures any damage won’t be done to the forward-facing part of the garment. So, turning your knitwear inside out before washing will reduce things like pilling and keep them looking new for longer. Washing your knits in a mesh bag is also helpful for delicate pieces or when doing a general load of laundry.
Choose a low-temperature heat setting.
Heat is typically bad for any garment, but knitwear is especially vulnerable to shrinkage or color fading. Because of this definitely only wash your knitwear using cold water. Washing on cold or tap is also more energy-efficient making this a win-win! Use a low-temperature heat setting on your washing machine or stay below lukewarm if handwashing.
Also, spoiler, (although I think hang drying is a must) if you can’t hang dry then opt for a low heat setting when using a dryer after washing knitwear. A low dryer heat setting helps limit the amount of dryer shrinkage and does way less damage than a high heat setting – same as with washing.
Only use delicate cycles when using a washer.
Hand washing is typically recommended for most knitwear and while that’s a good gentle way to clean your knitwear, I don’t have the patience or time for that. Instead, I prefer to choose a delicate cycle on my washer and use minimal spin. It hasn’t done my knits wrong so far and have had pieces that look brand new for over ten years!
Using the delicate cycle on your washer is a great loophole for items that may not hold up in typical wash cycles. Plus, most washers now will have this setting which makes it easier than ever to avoid hand-washing without compromising the look of your pieces. If your washer has a cycle designated for knitwear, opt for that. Otherwise, go for gentle cycles that soak instead of agitate for a low-maintenance clean.
Hang drying is a must.
This is honestly the key to knitwear longevity because dryers can royally mess up knits! Drape your freshly washed knits over a drying rack, using more rungs as needed for thicker pieces. Avoid clothespins and hangers as these can stretch and warp the shape of knits, especially heavier pieces. Don’t have a drying rack? Lay your knits on the back or seat of a chair after gently reshaping then allow to dry.
Now you may be worried about the time it takes for knits to hang dry, especially if you live in a wetter or colder climate. But a great way to cut down on the drying time needed for knits is to roll up each piece post-wash in a towel. Doing this gently rings water out which helps knits dry much faster. Lay out a towel and then lay your knit flat on top of it. Like a cinnamon roll, roll the towel up with the knit inside it and gently press to get excess water out.
Flip your knits while drying.
It can take a long time for knits to fully dry thanks to the thick fibers and dense material. To help keep airflow and allow your knits to fully dry, make sure to flip them as they’re hanging to dry. I like to flip mine once generally, but for thicker knits at least twice. This not only speeds up the drying process but it ensures no moisture gets trapped without compromising the integrity of the pieces by putting them in the dryer.
Store carefully.
Steer clear of hanging your knitwear because this can stretch your pieces and lead to them losing shape. It’s preferable to fold them flatly and either stack your pieces on top of each other like at a department store or standing up if your drawer is deep enough. Folded correctly and sitting flat against each other is the best way to prevent them from getting misshapen or wrinkled. For smaller spaces, you can gently roll your knits and store them standing up in bins or a drawer.
Don’t wash your knits often.
Shoot for less washes to reduce the chance of wear and tear and is the best way to maintain the longevity of knitwear. However, the material will also change how frequently you’ll need to wash them too. For example, wool can go 5 or more wears while cotton needs to be washed after about 3. Every 3-5 wears is typically the range I go for, always trying to extend the amount of wears between washes regardless of what the material is.
Still concerned about washing your knits less? Then make sure to wear undershirts or base layers under your knits so those are getting dirty instead of the knit itself. All in all, washing infrequently prevents excess hard wear on your knits and also saves resources like water and energy!
To recap, here are 8 tips on how to wash knitwear:
- Gently spot treat.
- Turn knits inside out before washing.
- Choose a low-temperature heat setting on your washer (and dryer, if using).
- Only use delicate cycles when using a washer.
- Hang drying is a must.
- Flip your knits while drying.
- Store carefully.
- Refrain from washing your knits often.
Implementing these 8 tips on how to wash knitwear properly is best practice, but it’s not necessary to do everything. Figure out what works for you and your schedule and go from there. If your budget allows and you’re short on time or don’t have the energy to take on these tips then I suggest finding an eco-friendly dry cleaner to take care of these delicate pieces. If not, knowing how to wash knitwear is the best low-barrier way to reap the benefits of proper care. After all, putting in a little extra thought can have a great payoff by helping keep the pieces you love looking their best.
Knowing how to wash knitwear is definitely needed.
Extending the life of your clothes is a great way to cut down the resource burden of fashion which is so important to reduce our impact. Although not everyone can afford slow fashion, everyone can still combat overconsumption by getting the most out of what we already own. Repairing, reshaping, and, most importantly, properly caring for the clothes we have are important ways to reduce our need to buy new pieces and lower our contributions to the fashion industry’s environmental footprint.
Due to their delicate nature, the idea of properly caring for knitwear might seem daunting. Knits particularly are one of those items that seem demanding and hard to take care of, but in actuality, you can set yourself up for success easily. So, knowing how to wash knitwear properly is needed to maintain those pieces so they last a lifetime.
What other ways can you prolong the life of your clothes?
Although using the above tips on how to wash knitwear properly will absolutely maintain the integrity of your knits, it’s not the only way you can prolong the life of your clothes. I am a huge advocate for being a mindful consumer and finding good quality pieces is another great way to ensure pieces last longer. I suggest avoiding fast fashion if buying new and opting for eco-friendly knits. Quality pieces tend to hold up best over time and have the ability to withstand wear and tear.
When it comes to fashion, the fabric is a big part of what makes an item good quality. Natural fibers tend to be heartier and able to stand the test of time while also needing much less maintenance than synthetic fibers.
In sum, being a mindful consumer, taking the time to care for the things we have, and repairing or properly disposing of things that can no longer be maintained are key ways to live more sustainably and economically. All in all, these are actionable steps we can take to do our part and avoid excess waste.
Using these tips on how to wash your knitwear will extend the life of your pieces and help reduce waste.
Good knits are hard to come by these days and I personally cannot bear to part with any of the pieces I have. Despite my unhealthy attachment to knitwear, there are plenty of reasons to learn how to wash knitwear properly. Overall, learning how to extend the longevity of the things you own lessens the resource burden we put on our planet and saves us money! I hope you can use these tips to look after your knits and treat your pieces with the care they deserve.