How to Keep Knitwear Looking New All Winter

You invest in good knitwear — quality jumpers, warm cardigans, cosy turtlenecks. But by mid-winter they're covered in pills, stretched at the shoulders, and looking nothing like they did in October. Here's how to keep your knitwear looking shop-fresh from November through March.

The golden rules of knitwear care

1. Wash less than you think

Knitwear doesn't need washing after every wear. Wool and cashmere are naturally antibacterial — they can go 5–10 wears between washes. Over-washing is one of the primary causes of pilling and shrinkage. Air your knitwear between wears by leaving it on a flat surface near an open window overnight.

2. Always wash cold and gentle

Max 30°C on a wool or delicate cycle. Hot water causes fibres to contract and felt together irreversibly. Cold water maintains the structure and softness of natural fibres.

3. Never tumble dry natural fibres

The heat + mechanical tumbling combination breaks down wool, cashmere, and merino fibres rapidly. Always air dry flat — lay on a clean dry towel and reshape to original dimensions.

4. Fold — never hang

Hanging knitwear stretches the shoulders and distorts the shape within days. Every jumper and cardigan should be folded and stored flat in drawers or on shelves.

5. Remove pills as they appear

Pilling is inevitable on all knitwear. The key is removing pills early — before they grow larger and embed deeper. The LintGone Pro on Speed 1 removes pills from any knitwear safely in under 60 seconds. Do this every 2–3 wears and your jumpers will look new all winter.

6. Use a mesh bag every wash

Knitwear snagging on zips, buttons, and other garments in the drum causes pulled threads and accelerated pilling. A £3 mesh laundry bag eliminates this completely.

7. Protect from moths in storage

Moths destroy knitwear in seasonal storage. Cedar blocks or lavender sachets are natural deterrents. Always wash knitwear before storing — moths are attracted to body oils and food residue.