According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Australia experiences one of the coldest winters in that latitude with an average minimum being 1.18 °C. And in such cold weather, everyone loves having a cosy and comfortable knit sweater around them. This popularity justifies the fact that the Knitted Product Manufacturing Industry in Australia has a market size of over AUD 91 million. But many face the situation of throwing or giving away their knitted wear as they start to smell, stretch or peel out, which could be a result of improper care and maintenance. Here are a few tips that one can follow to ensure that their new sweater stays fresh throughout the season and for years.

Read the Packaging and the Label Carefully

Most designers provide labels hemmed onto the knit sweater with cautions and instructions for proper use. The first thing that users must do is to familiarize themselves with these cryptic symbols and codes, identify them on the label, and understand what they mean. Many might make the mistake of thinking that these labels are optional suggestions and not careful instructions to care for the sweater. By understanding and following the instructions for use and wash provided by the designer and the manufacturer, the users can use the garment optimally.

Make Handwash the First Choice

Handwashing a knit sweater instead of machine-washing it is the best way to ensure its longevity. One must fill the sink with cold water, add some gentle detergent or wool wash and wash the garment gently. They must avoid rubbing or scrubbing the material with brushes to prevent it from wearing out or pilling. Instead, they can dunk it in a bucket of water and swirl it around to remove the dirt.

Machine Wash with Care

If handwashing is not an option one can do, then they can machine wash the sweater. One must use cold water, set the machine to a gentle wash mode or on a delicate cycle to make sure that it doesn’t spin too rapidly.

Points to Note:

• Turn the sweater inside out before placing it in the machine.
• Wash each sweater on the gentle cycle for 5 minutes, preferably in a mesh bag and wash them separately.
• Use an approved wool detergent to treat the knits and place them on the washbag to reduce agitation and pilling.
• Do not soak the garment for longer than a few minutes
• Do not wring the sweater rather, gently squeeze the water out.

Defuzz the Knit Wear to Fix Pilling

All knits are prone to till, regardless of their quality. A regular wash might clean the garment and remove the smell, but it also brings out the fibres of the sweater, resulting in pilling. One of the quickest ways to get rid of them is to shave them off. One can use a common disposable razor, a de-fuzzing comb or a battery-operated shaver designed for fabrics to remove the fibres and prevent them from coming out.

Steam and Iron It Right

One of the best ways to preserve knitwear is by cleaning and pressing them to be wrinkle-free before storing them. Steaming is one of the best ways to remove wrinkles. If not, one can use an ironing tool on low heat to press the fabric and smoothen it. One can also spray it with an antibacterial sweater spray to remove germs or prevent moths and bugs from festering on it when not in use. It prevents the users from developing allergies.

Store Neatly

How one stores their knitwear is highly important to prevent them from developing creases or stretching out. The best way to store them is to fold them neatly in a tissue or a cover and placing them in a dry area.