It’s already November, and with just two months left in the year, the season for cozy knitwear is upon us!

Knitwear is essential during this time of year, especially for layering as the temperature fluctuates. However, have you ever found yourself unsure about how to properly care for your precious knits?

From pilling to shrinkage from incorrect washing, knitwear can come with its own set of challenges. In this guide, we’ll introduce simple ways to care for your knitwear at home.

Why Does Pilling Occur?

One of the most common concerns with knitwear is pilling.

Pilling occurs for several reasons, with friction from wearing and washing being the main culprits. This friction generates static electricity, causing fibers to tangle together and form pills.

What Materials Are Prone to Pilling?

The likelihood of pilling depends on the fabric. Synthetic fibers like polyester and acrylic are particularly prone to pilling. These fibers are designed to mimic the softness and warmth of natural wool and have increasingly improved in texture over the years.

However, because synthetic fibers are so strong, they tend to create more friction when they rub together, leading to pilling. They also generate static electricity easily, which further contributes to pilling.

Even among natural fibers, materials like wool and cashmere are prone to pilling. The surface of these fibers has a scaly structure that makes them more likely to tangle and form pills.

On the bright side, natural fibers like wool are relatively easy to care for at home. The fibers are more likely to break away naturally, making pilling less of a long-term issue.

In contrast, synthetic fibers, being stronger, tend to hold onto pilling, making it more difficult to remove if left unchecked. Therefore, it’s important to address pilling as soon as it appears.

Choose Materials That Are Less Prone to Pilling

Natural fibers like cotton, silk, and linen are less prone to pilling. Regenerated fibers like rayon also tend to resist pilling.

Alpaca and mohair, although natural fibers, are also less prone to pilling compared to other wool materials.

However, be cautious when these materials are blended with synthetic fibers. Even if a garment is made from a natural fiber, the presence of synthetics can cause pilling to persist on the fabric’s surface. Aim to choose garments that are 100% natural fiber when possible.

In recent years, some synthetic fibers have been treated to resist pilling, so it’s a good idea to check the quality tags and product descriptions before purchasing. Be wary of tags that mention “prone to pilling.”

Preventing Pilling: Caring for Your Knitwear

Wearing Your Knitwear to Prevent Pilling

Since pilling is caused by friction, you can prevent it to some extent by being mindful of how you wear your clothes.

When layering coats over your knitwear, choose ones with a lining that resists static electricity. Be cautious with backpacks or crossbody bags that consistently rub against the same spot, as this can lead to pilling.

Using anti-static sprays available on the market is also recommended.

Brush Your Knitwear

After wearing your knitwear, give it a gentle brushing with a clothes brush. This helps remove any dust or dirt on the surface and keeps the fibers smooth, preventing them from tangling and forming pills.

When brushing, use light strokes to remove dust gently. Brush in the direction of the fabric’s grain, and avoid brushing too forcefully.

There are various types of brushes, but we recommend using natural bristle brushes, like those made from boar hair, which are soft and less likely to generate static.

Our staff, who suffer from severe hay fever, use a brush with pollen-removal functionality. Choose a brush that suits your needs, whether it’s for static prevention, combined with a pilling remover, or something else.

Consult a Professional for Stains and Damage

While brushing, check the entire garment for any stains, snags, or holes. Addressing issues early is crucial.

If you find loops of thread, as shown in the photo, be aware that these are not pilling and should be handled carefully. Cutting these loops can lead to holes, so consult a specialist, like our reweaving shop, for repairs.

Give Your Knitwear a Break

This advice applies not just to knitwear but to all clothing. Wearing the same item on consecutive days puts a lot of stress on the fabric, making it more prone to friction and damage.

After wearing knitwear for a day, give it a break of 2-3 days before wearing it again.

Knitwear is also susceptible to damage from washing, so it doesn’t need to be washed after every wear.

Be sure not to store it immediately after wearing! Any remaining moisture can lead to mold or moth damage.

If you’ve sweated or noticed any dirt, prepare a mixture of lukewarm water and a mild detergent, and use a well-wrung towel to gently dab the area. If there’s an odor, use a steam iron to freshen it up.

Afterward, hang the garment in the shade for a few hours to dry. For extra freshness, apply an antibacterial deodorizing spray before drying.

Leaving the garment on a hanger for too long can cause stretching or misshaping, so gently fold and store it after a few hours.

How to Store Knitwear After Wearing It Once

To avoid mixing worn clothes with freshly laundered ones, consider setting up a “worn clothes basket.”

When stacking clothes, place heavier items on the bottom and lighter ones on top. Avoid overstuffing or cramming your storage.

What to Do If You Get Pilling?

Even with careful selection and regular maintenance, pilling will eventually occur after prolonged wear.

It’s best to remove pills as soon as you notice them, before they become too stubborn.

Avoid Pulling Pills Off!

It’s tempting to pull off pills when you see them, but this is the worst thing you can do.

Pulling on them can cause other fibers to pop out, leading to more pilling. Similarly, using sticky rollers or tape to forcefully remove pills should be avoided.

Be cautious with pilling brushes too. Brushing too hard can damage the fabric, causing more fibers to emerge and form pills.

For a few isolated pills, small scissors like embroidery or eyebrow scissors are ideal. Gently pull the pill up and snip it off at the base, being careful not to damage the fabric.

If the pilling is widespread, a fabric shaver is recommended. Just be sure to use it carefully.

Washing Knitwear at Home

After a few wears, your knitwear will need to be washed. Wash it after you’ve sweated heavily or visited places where it might have absorbed odors.

If the care label says “dry clean only,” take it to the cleaners. If it says “hand wash,” you can wash it at home.

While some knits can be washed in the machine, hand washing is generally recommended.

How to Wash Knitwear

Fill a basin with lukewarm water (around 30°C) and add a detergent designed for knitwear. Mix it well.

Fold the knitwear and submerge it in the water, gently pressing it to wash.

If the water is too hot, the wool may shrink; if it’s too cold, it won’t effectively remove oils and dirt. The water should feel slightly warm to the touch.

Gently squeeze out the water and rinse the garment twice in clean water.

When rinsing, avoid pouring water directly onto the knitwear from the tap. Instead, fill the basin with water first, then submerge the knitwear.

Drying with a Towel

Avoid using a washing machine for drying, as it can be harsh on your clothes.

Instead, lay the knitwear between two towels and press firmly to absorb the moisture.

Dry Flat in the Shade for a Neat Finish

The way you dry your knitwear is crucial. Shape it and dry it flat.

You can use a regular clothes rack, but a specialized flat-drying net is ideal.

To prevent odors from developing due to slow drying, use a fan or place it in a well-ventilated area. Always dry in the shade to avoid discoloration or fading.

Fold and Store

Once your knitwear is completely dry, fold it and store it properly.

The storage method is the same as for worn garments, but it’s best to place precious items in breathable fabric bags with moth repellent.

Use a Steam Iron to Restore Shape

If your knitwear has lost its shape or if the collar or cuffs have become wrinkled during washing or storage, use a steam iron.

Hold the iron about 1 cm away from the fabric and steam it.

Even knitwear that has become stiff or misshapen from being stored can be fluffed up again with steam.

In Conclusion

How was that?

I hope this guide has given you useful tips on selecting and caring for your knitwear!

With just a little extra care, you can enjoy your cherished clothes for much longer!

Thank you for reading to the end!