No matter what garment you choose from the-knitwear-shop.com, you can rest assured that it will be of the highest quality. While all our garments are wonderfully easy to look after, below are a few tips and guidance to help you maintain your knits excellent appearance. For Cashmere or Silk garments we would recommend either hand-washing or dry-cleaning.

Hand-washing:

• Use water no more than 40°C and a mild detergent.

• Turn it inside out to protect the outer surface and make sure that if you are using powder, it has fully dissolved first.

• Soak for about five minutes to help loosen the dirt before gently squeezing. Never rub it.

• Rinse in warm water, then cold water and use a fabric softener if you wish.

• Remove excess water by placing between clean towels or use a short machine spin cycle. Never wring.

• Reshape the garment and dry flat.

Machine-washing:

• Turn the garment inside out to protect the outer surface.

• Use a machine washable wool programme, which is usually 40°C gentle cycle.

• Use a mild detergent, preferably Woolmark approved.

• Avoid biological detergents as they may attack and affect the quality of the wool.

• Dry away from heat, never on a radiator or in front of a fire, or in strong direct sunlight.

• To promote a smooth, silky appearance occasional steam pressing after washing is good for your wool. Use the steam or low setting warm iron. For dry ironing use a damp cloth to avoid glazing. Take special care on collars and seams.

Dry-cleaning:

• Dry clean sparingly, once a season is usually enough. Excessive dry cleaning can give a glazed appearance and over exposure to chemicals can degrade the fibre over a prolonged period.
• Do not Bleach-with chlorine, ACE bleach may be used, but test on a discreet area first.

General care:

• Remove surface soiling by gentle brushing; this will help prevent stains later on.

• Treat stains immediately with cold water, blot dry with a clean cloth-never a paper towel.

• Air wool after wearing, by laying flat, as this helps to get rid of odours, such as cigarette smoke.

• Always try to store lightweight wool folded and allow breathing space.

• Clean your garments before storing, as moths are attracted to body oils and dirt and not the actual fibre.

• Try some natural ways to combat moth attacks, by using cloves, lavender, rosemary, thyme, orange peel or cedar. But never in direct contact with the garment - simply tie up in gauze or a handkerchief.

• Try to rest wool between wearings for 24 hours to allow the fibres to spring back and preserve its natural resilience.

• Wash dark and light colours separately.

• Preferably dry flat.

• Re-shape and iron slightly damp, using a hot iron.

• Preferably store flat.