How to make your knits look like new?

No winter wardrobe is ever complete without your favourite knitwear. From tops to skirts, and dresses, everything looks cosier when it’s knitted with love and precision. However, it may be a little challenging to maintain your knits and keep them looking like new after a few washes.

In this clothing care guide, we will share expert tips and tricks for giving your knitwear the fabric care they deserve to stay in their best shape and form for years to come. Let’s get started!

How to revive old knitwear?

Fabric pilling is extremely common in knitwear. The interlocking loops of the knit can easily snag and rub against each other, leading to excessive abrasion and pilling. These pesky little balls of fabric then not only make your knitted garments look dull and worn out, but also ruin their handfeel and texture.

To revive old knitwear made of cotton, consider using an eco laundry powder like BIORESTORE cotton. Unlike most pilling removers which require physically shaving the knitwear, this Re-Tergent works in the washing machine and restores your garments in only one home laundry wash.

All you need to do is add your knits with pilling in the washing machine and then add the recommended amount of BIORESTORE cotton. Using the instructions mentioned on the packaging, run the cycle for 2 hours. Once the cycle is finished, toss the items in a tumble-dryer or rinse them off with a small amount of your regular detergent and lay them flat to dry.

How do you reshape knitwear?

If you need a knitted fabric taken in a pinch or let out a smidge (or maybe even more than a smidge), blocking is just what the tailor ordered!

But what if I were to tell you that you don’t need to visit a professional? That’s right! With just a little practice, you can easily block your knits at home and revive your wardrobe without any extra hassle.

To start, simply lay the garment flat and measure its width and length with an inch’s tape. Give particular attention to the area that you want to resize. How much larger or smaller do you need the fabric to be? An inch, two inches? Note all of this information on a paper. Then, proceed with a normal wash (like your regularly do).

Lay the clean and damp garment flat again and using your fingers massage the section (or sections) of the garment to adjust it according to the size you require. To ensure that the garment dries exactly to these dimensions, pin the item along its edges with straight pins placed every 6cm or 2inches apart. Once the garment is fully dry, remove the pins and it’ll be ready to wear.

This perfect fit can last for several washes and sometimes even longer. The best part is that you don’t need to rush to a professional tailor and then wait for several days to get your knits back. Instead, you can customise and reshape your knitwear at home within an hour or two only. Talk about smart work!

Expert Fabric Care Tips for maintaining your knitwear

1. Air out instead of washing

Without realising, most of us may be over washing our knits, making them appear and feel worn-out more quickly. Unless there are visible stains on your knitwear, you can get away by simply airing knits out. Not only is it good for the fabric’s longevity, but it is also easier than washing, saving a lot of time & hassle.

Simply hang your knitwear on a hanger and place it outside in a porch, garage, or courtyard (where there is good airflow) for several hours. In case of strong odours like smoke, French fries, or something else a bit off, pour vodka (any cheap vodka works just as well as a fancy one) into a spray bottle and spritz it onto the garment in question. This will kill all bacteria and remove the scents. (You can also use this technique to remove pet smells from your carpets or sanitize the cutting boards in the kitchen.)

For anyone who- for whatever reason (a religious objection, recovering family member etc.)- doesn’t want alcohol in his/her home, add a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol to each spray bottle to make it denatured or undrinkable. As a bonus, you can even add a few drops of an essential oil (of your choice) to add a great scent to your knits. Problem solved and the hassle of laundry avoided!

2. Ditch machine washing

High-end knitwear, especially the one’s made of wool often say “dry clean only” on their care labels. However, it’s often possible to wash these pieces by hand with cold-water using a delicate fabric care detergent.

Imagine how you wash your own hair. Using your fingers and water to clean and nourish each hair strand. The same principle applies to washing your woolen knitwear.

After washing, don’t over-wring the fabrics to squeeze out excessive water. Instead, lay the knits on a clean towel, roll the towel and walk over it several times to squeeze out the moisture. Then put them on the drying rack. They’ll be completely dry in no time plus you’ll get a great de-stressing! workout for your feet!

3. Use a debobbler

Pilling or bobbling is a big giveaway that a fabric has been well-loved, but using a pilling remover can help you extend its lifecycle and make it look as good as brand-new. For knitwear made of cotton, BIORESTORE fabric pill remover is the ideal solution that works in the washing machine and causes no harm to the fabric or the planet.

For wool and other fabrics, consider using a fabric shaver or lint remover that you are already familiar with. That way, you can avoid any unforeseen consequences (such as garment damage or tearing).

4. Steer Clear of Moths

To protect your knits from moths, add some cedar wood or lavender bags in the wardrobe. Also, make sure that your fabrics are clean and laundered when you put them away. Finally, avoid storing the knitwear in a dirty place or anywhere near dust. That means storing your knitted clothing under the bed is a big fat NO, but clearing out, airing and vacuuming your closet every season is a definite YES!