Wash: how to hand wash knitwear

Tips from a Knitwear Designer | November 2024

Handwashing knitwear in the right way can be transformative. Not only will it be clean, but it also can remove excess stray fibres that may lead to pilling, and bring a stretched knit back into shape. 

Here is our tried and tested way to handwash knitwear in a way that is gentle, yet effective.

step 01.

Spot clean any stains with a gentle bar of soap (we recommend sard)

step 02.

add some gentle liquid wool wash detergent to cool water and submerge your knit, gently swish it around.

step 03. allow to soak for 10 minutes for dark colours that may bleed, or for light colours you can soak overnight.



step 04. drain your soapy water, and remove the last of your detergent by this time filling with clean cool water.

      

step 05.

drain again, gently squeezing (but not wringing) your knit to remove the last of the water.

 


    step 06. roll in a towel to remove excess water

   

step 07.

place flat on a new towel, flattening out any creases

and easing the knit into it’s original shape.

step 08.

To avoid stretching, allow your knit to dry flat. 

Now your knit is refreshed and ready for many more wears to come.