Air
Many of our garments are made from 100% wool and natural fibres such as alpaca and wool. These natural fibres are odour resistant so it means you do not need to wash them that often. A good airy outside will often do the trick!
Wash
We recommend you wash your pieces by hand. Turn your jumper inside out and put it in a bucket of tepid water - 20-30 degrees, no hotter.
If you have a gentle cycle on your washing machine this can also be ok, make sure it is a short cycle and that the water is no hotter than 30 degrees.
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Avoid using fabric softeners when washing knitwear; these will soften the fibres making them more susceptible to becoming loose and forming a bobbles.
We recommend a wool detergent and to soak for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly in fresh water. Make sure you do not wring or twist the garment as it will loose its shape.
Lie your jumper on a flat surface with a towel underneath to dry and gently reshape. Never stretch the sweater to shape.
Do not tumble dry or hang dry your jumper. Always fold.
Pill
Pilling (bobbling) is a very normal and natural process seen in areas exposed to friction - ie elbows, cuffs etc. It does not mean your garment is less good quality. It is when the textile fibres simply rub on another surface, breaking up and forming bobbles.
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To help we suggest you brush your knitwear gently after wear, using a natural bristle brush for clothes – brushing in one direction, this will smoothen the beginnings of any loose ends while also removing dust and lint, keeping the jumper fresh and lessening the need for washing.
However tempting (!) try not to pull on the bobble by hand as you will loosen the fibres further and weaken the yarn. A pilling comb will also do the trick.
After washing and using the sweater a few times the pilling tends to go away.
Store
Never hang your jumpers. Always fold them and store in a drawer or storage box. If you like putting your jumpers away for the summer months use natural cotton bags or something similar which allows the knitwear to breathe and protect it from moths.
If you are having troubles with moths, put a few cedar balls in the drawer or box and the moths will stay away. Make sure to wash your jumper before storing it as moths like dirt.
BUILD A LONG LASTING WARDROBE
And finally a fun fact for you! Wool clothes are among the longest kept items in a female wardrobe, they are washed less frequently and tend to last far longer than other materials. (From a report in Woolmark)
Therefore be kind to your jumpers, care for them as we recommend, store them well, repair and mend instead of throwing away and build a long lasting more sustainable wardrobe, in turn being kinder to the planet.
Have a question?
If you have any questions about caring for your jumpers then please do not hesitate to contact customerservices@blake-ldn.com