Quick answer: Wash knits in cold water on a gentle or wool cycle, or by hand, with a mild detergent; never wring them, roll them in a towel to remove water and dry them flat. Fold sweaters for storage instead of hanging them, and remove pills with a fabric comb.
Why knits need gentle care
Knitted fabric is made of looped yarn, which is why it stretches, drapes and feels so soft. The same loops are easy to pull out of shape. Hot water, rough agitation and hanging a heavy, wet sweater all stretch or felt the fibers. The good news is that caring for knits is not complicated. A few habits — cold water, gentle handling and flat drying — keep a sweater looking new for years rather than months.
Read the care line first
Every product page in our shop includes a care line, and it is worth reading before the first wash. Cotton and acrylic blend knits are usually fine on a cold gentle cycle. Wool and mohair blends prefer hand washing or a wool cycle. If a sweater has a different yarn in the trim or the buttons, treat it as the most delicate part. When in doubt, choose the gentlest option; it never hurts a knit to be handled carefully.
How to hand wash a sweater
Fill a basin with cold or lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild or wool detergent. Turn the sweater inside out, press it under the water and let it soak for about ten minutes. Gently squeeze the suds through the fabric without rubbing or twisting. Drain, refill with clean water and rinse the same way until the water runs clear. A chunky cream knit cardigan only needs this every few wears.
Machine washing safely
If the care line allows the machine, put the knit inside a mesh laundry bag, choose the wool or delicate cycle with cold water and the lowest spin speed, and use mild detergent. Skip fabric softener, which can coat the fibers and make them pill faster. Wash knits with other soft items, never with jeans or towels, because zippers and heavy fabrics rub against the yarn and cause fuzz and snags.
Drying without stretching
Never wring a wet sweater. Instead, lay it on a clean towel, roll the towel up like a sleeping bag and press to squeeze out the water. Unroll it, move the sweater to a dry towel or a drying rack, and gently shape it back to its original size, straightening the hem and cuffs. Let it dry flat away from direct sun and heat. The tumble dryer is the quickest way to shrink or felt a knit.
Dealing with pills
Pills are the small balls of fiber that form where a sweater rubs, usually under the arms and along the sides. They are normal, even on good knits. Remove them with a sweater comb or a battery fabric shaver, working lightly in one direction on a flat surface. Washing inside out and avoiding rough bags against the fabric slows pilling. An oversized knit sweater that you de-pill now and then will look fresh for seasons.
Fold, do not hang
Hangers pull heavy knits out of shape at the shoulders and stretch the length over time. Fold sweaters and cardigans instead, and stack them on a shelf or in a drawer with the heaviest at the bottom. For long-term storage, make sure each piece is clean and completely dry, then store it in a breathable cotton bag. Cedar blocks or lavender sachets help keep moths away from wool blends.
Freshening between washes
Most knits do not need washing after every wear. Air them on a flat surface or over the back of a chair overnight and they will usually smell fresh again. Spot clean small marks with a damp cloth and a drop of mild detergent. A handheld steamer, held a few inches away, relaxes creases and plumps up the yarn. Fewer washes mean less wear, so your favorite cardigan keeps its softness longer.
Quick knit care checklist
Cold water, mild detergent, no wringing, flat drying, folded storage and a sweater comb for pills: that is the whole routine. Follow it and your knits will stay soft, warm and in shape through many cool seasons. Browse our sweaters and cardigans to find your next favorite layer, in sizes S to XL with free U.S. shipping and easy 30-day returns on unworn items with tags attached.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I wash a sweater?
Every five or six wears is usually enough; air it out in between.
Can I put a knit cardigan in the dryer?
It is best not to — heat can shrink or felt the yarn. Dry it flat instead.
How do I remove pills from a sweater?
Use a sweater comb or fabric shaver lightly on a flat surface.
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