"I'm scared to wash my sweater". We hear this a lot, and the good news is, you don't have to be! Less is more when it comes to washing your beloved knit garments - a little love can go a long ways. Below, we are outlining everything you need to know to help you wash your Bare knits and keep them looking fresh for years to come.
1. Wash Sparingly
Wool fibres can absorb a large volume of water vapour helping to prevent the build up of bacteria and unpleasant smells. Save your regular weekly washes for your everyday tees and base layers. We only wash our sweaters once a year!
2. Freshen Between Seasonal Cleans
When your sweater needs to be freshened up, we recommend using our Garment Groom. Turn your knit inside out and give it all over mist. Let the sweater air out overnight.
3. Spot Wash
Spot washing is a great way to remove dirt and stains while avoiding washing your entire garment. For less severe stains, we recommend using a stain remover such as the Garment Groom. Spray spot liberally, let sit and use a cool, damp cloth to lift the stain.
4. Use a Delicate or Wool Specific Laundry Soap
Why? Many regular laundry detergents contain harsh chemicals or bleaching agents that can agitate the wool fibres and cause felting, shrinkage or damage to the fibres. We love using the Everything Laundry Soap as it works well on delicates, hand washables and Bare Knitwear garments.
5. Never Hang Your Sweater When Wet
Water adds weight to your sweater therefore avoid hanging knitted garments when wet. Instead, gently press the water out of the garment. Do not wring or twist the garment, re-shape and lay flat to dry on a towel.
6. Use a Sweater Comb to Remove Pilling
With regular wear, it is normal for your knitwear to generate some pilling on the surface as a result of abrasion. We recommend using The Cedar Sweater Comb to gently remove pills.
7. Store Smartly
Moths and insects are attracted to dirt in natural fibres and wool garments. If you are storing your wool garments for a long period of time we recommend laundering at the end of the season before stowing away. Store folded, in a breathable cotton bag in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing in sealed plastic bins as they develop moisture, attracting insects. Store your sweater with cedar sticks (or your Cedar Sweater Comb). If you don't have cedar, other scents that will help deter moths include lavender, rosemary, mint and eucalyptus. We recommend adding a few drops of essential oil to a paper towel and storing with your garment.