How to care for your knitwear

It’s a timeless wardrobe staple for the cooler months of autumn and winter, but taking care of knitwear to ensure it lasts, holds its shape and doesn’t shrink, can be a challenge without the right advice and information.

Of course, pivotal to the longevity and performance of knitwear is its quality. At Schöffel Country, we understand that, which is why we pay so much attention to the materials, design, and manufacture of the products in our premium knitwear collections for men and women.

Regardless of its quality, however, life can take its toll on knitwear. Time, wear and tear all play their part. But the extent of this toll very much depends on how you look after your knitwear. So, to help you keep your jumpers and cardigans in the best possible condition, we’ve pulled together some useful tips and tricks.

How to wash knitwear

It’s crucial that you know how to wash knitwear. It might seem obvious, but following the washing instructions is vital to making sure you aren’t damaging or shrinking your knitwear when cleaning it.

So, our first piece of advice is very simple: double check the information on the care label for the knitwear garment in question, and stick to it, while bearing in mind that different materials warrant different approaches.

Is knitwear machine washable?

Many of the products in the Schöffel Country knitwear range are machine washable. From Merino to lambswool and wool/cotton blends, our gilets, jumpers and cardigans vary in composition and so may need to be treated differently. But, as a general rule, all knitwear products (especially those with natural fibres) should be washed on a cool, short cycle with a mild detergent. We also advise washing the item inside out and with similar fibres to prevent damage.

Can you use fabric softener with woollen knitwear? The short answer is no, fabric softeners are to be avoided, as they can cause damage to natural fibres and may lead to pilling or shedding.

How to dry and store knitwear products

When drying your knitwear, reshape and smooth the garment back into its original shape and place it flat on a towel. Again, check the care label, but it is generally best to avoid tumble-drying wool clothes, as this can cause shrinkage.

It’s important that the likes of lambswool, Merino wool and cashmere clothes are not hung by pegs or left in direct sunlight or near heat sources like radiators or fireplaces, all of which can cause damage to the material and cause them to lose shape.

As for storage, should you hang your knitwear or fold it flat? We recommend folding your knitwear and placing it in a drawer to keep it safe. Hanging your knitwear can stretch it and cause it to lose its shape.

Men's knitwear

Women's knitwear

Does knitwear bobble?

Yes, unfortunately knitwear does bobble. Bobbling – or pilling – is the term used when loose fibres on the surface of knitted fabrics rub together during use, creating small bobbles, known as pilling.

Natural fabrics like wool and cotton are less likely to bobble than synthetic fabrics like polyester. This is because synthetic fabrics like polyester contain man-made plastics and are subject to stronger static electrical charges under the effects of friction, meaning more loose fibres and debris in the washing machine will cling together.

Natural wool fibres are still susceptible to bobbling and pilling, though – especially in areas subject to friction (think sleeves, elbows, and down the sides of a garment) after being worn a few times.

How to stop knitwear bobbling?

While bobbling is inevitable as you wear your knitwear over time, there are ways to stop and reduce bobbling and remove bobbles when they do appear.

To avoid bobbling:

1. Always wash your knitwear clothing in line with instructions on the care label.

2. Wash knitwear inside out.

3. Avoid powdered detergents, especially if machine washing, as they can be highly abrasive due to their grainy nature.

4. Wash clothing separately, keeping natural and synthetic fabrics separate so loose fibres and
debris don’t mix.

5. Air dry clothing and avoid tumble dryers.

How to remove bobbles from clothes?

To remove bobbles from clothes, we recommend using our Schöffel cashmere and knitwear comb. This specialist knitwear comb can be used to remove the pills as they appear on the surface of your knitwear.

To use our comb:

1. Lay the knitwear flat and hold the affected area taut.

2. Comb gently to remove the bobbles from the jumper, providing extra focus to high-friction areas like under the arms, elbows and down the sides of the torso.

3. Once finished, remove fluff and debris from the comb and store the comb in the small bag provided for future use.

The process is quite straightforward, but the stunning, long-term results keep your knitwear neat and fresh-looking.