Cleaning knitwear: tips for washing, drying and caring for jumpers
Knitwear feels soft, premium and very comfortable on the skin. At the same time, many knitted pieces are more delicate than other garments and need gentle care.
If you wash knitwear incorrectly, the fibres may felt, the jumper may shrink or lose its shape.
The good news: with a few simple rules you can clean knitwear properly and keep your favourite pieces looking great for many years.
Cleaning knitwear: tips for washing, drying and caring for jumpers
Knitwear feels soft, premium and very comfortable on the skin. At the same time, many knitted pieces are more delicate than other garments and need gentle care.
If you wash knitwear incorrectly, the fibres may felt, the jumper may shrink or lose its shape.
The good news: with a few simple rules you can clean knitwear properly and keep your favourite pieces looking great for many years.
Oui care guide: the 6 most important basic rules
Before washing knitwear, always check the care label. Depending on the material, the care instructions may vary.
1. Wash less often
Most garments do not need to be washed after every wear. We recommend washing knitwear as little as possible and airing it instead.
2. Wash separately
We recommend washing items in laundry bags. This reduces friction and fibre damage.
3. Wash cold - maximum 30–40°C
Many washing machines have a wool or hand-wash programme. These programmes use lower temperatures and gentle spinning to reduce friction.
Delicate fabrics such as cashmere are best washed by hand in cold water in the sink.
4. Air dry
Please do not use a tumble dryer for Oui garments. Air drying protects your clothing and is also better for the environment.
However, avoid drying clothes in direct sunlight, as this may fade the colours.
5. Steam instead of ironing
Whenever possible, we recommend steaming garments instead of ironing them. Steam is gentler on the fibres than the pressure of an iron and helps protect the fabric.
6. Avoid fabric softener
In general, we advise against using fabric softener. It coats the fibres and may affect their natural properties.
How to wash, dry and care for different fabrics
Not every fibre reacts the same way to water and detergent. Depending on the material, your clothing needs different care. Here’s how to treat your garments properly.
Knitwear
- ideally use the wool or hand-wash programme at max. 30°C
- use wool detergent or delicate detergent
- turn jumpers inside out
- choose a low spin cycle (max. 600 rpm)
- do not hang knitwear
- dry jumpers flat
- keep away from radiators and direct sunlight
- avoid washing knitwear after every wear - air it instead
- store jumpers folded, not on hangers
- pilling is normal; remove small bobbles with a fabric shaver
Many knitwear pieces develop small bobbles on the surface over time. This is called pilling.
It is completely normal and not a quality defect. In fact, it often happens with high-quality natural fibres.
Pilling occurs due to friction or incorrect washing.
To remove pilling we recommend:
- a pilling comb
- special fabric or lint shavers
Gently move the tool across the surface of the jumper. This removes loose fibres and small bobbles.
Cashmere / Mohair / Alpaca
- ideally hand wash in lukewarm water in the sink
- use a special wool detergent
- move the jumper gently, do not rub or wring
- press excess water into a towel
- dry flat
- keep away from direct sunlight and radiators
- wash cashmere, mohair and alpaca only occasionally
- remove pilling with a cashmere comb
- steaming helps the fibres lift and become fluffy again
- store jumpers folded
If cashmere, mohair or alpaca jumpers feel slightly scratchy, add a small amount of hair conditioner to the washing water.
The conditioner smooths the fibres and can make the knitwear feel softer and more comfortable on the skin.
Cotton & organic cotton
- easy to wash at 30°C on a delicate programme
- use delicate detergent
- wash garments inside out
- air dry whenever possibl
- cotton may shrink slightly during washing
- gently reshape garments after washing
Linen
- delicate programme at 30°C
- use a mild detergent
- low spin cycle (max. 800 rpm)
- best to air dry
- do not tumble dry
- linen wrinkles easily - this is part of its natural texture
- smooth garments after washing and use a steamer if needed
ECOVERO™ & viscose
- delicate programme at 30°C
- use delicate detergent
- low spin cycle (max. 800 rpm)
- do not tumble dry
- air dry
- viscose is delicate when wet
- gently reshape garments
Denim
- wash jeans as rarely as possible
- turn inside out and wash at 30°C
- use delicate detergent
- air dry
- do not tumble dry
- reshape denim after washing
- frequent washing can cause colour to fade faster
Faux leather looks
- wash inside out on a delicate cycle
- clean stains with a damp cloth
- air dry
- do not fold or crease strongly
- store garments on hangers
- if creased, steam carefully from the inside
Tips & tricks:
common knitwear problems and smart solutions
Even with good care, knitwear may sometimes change shape. Here are a few helpful solutions.
Jumper has shrunk
If your wool jumper has shrunk, you can try stretching it gently.
Place it in lukewarm water with a little hair conditioner or wool detergent
and let it soak for a few minutes. Then carefully reshape the jumper.
Jumper smells
f a jumper smells after wearing, you don’t always need to wash it immediately.
Many knitwear pieces benefit from simply airing them outside. Natural fibres like wool naturally neutralise odours.
Long-lasting knitwear:
how to keep it looking beautiful
With the right care, knitwear can last for many years.
A few simple tips help:
- do not wash jumpers after every wear
- air garments regularly
- use gentle washing programmes
- choose special detergents
- dry knitwear flat
The more gently you treat the fibres, the longer your favourite piece
will stay soft and keep its shape.
How to store knitwear properly
Proper storage also plays an important role.
Knitwear should be stored folded in the wardrobe, not on hangers. This prevents the shoulders from stretching.
To protect against moths, use:
- lavender sachets
- cedar wood
These natural scents keep moths away and add a pleasant fragrance to your wardrobe.
Pilling: why bobbles appear and how to
remove them
Many knitwear pieces develop small bobbles on the surface over time.
This is called pilling.
It is completely normal and not a quality defect. In fact, it often happens
with high-quality natural fibres.
Pilling occurs due to friction or incorrect washing.
Removing pilling
To remove pilling we recommend:
- a pilling comb
- special fabric or lint shavers
Gently move the tool across the surface of the jumper. This removes loose fibres and small bobbles.
FAQ – common questions about knitwear care
Yes, many wool jumpers can be washed on a wool programme at max. 30°C. Use a special wool detergent and a low spin cycle. However, we still recommend hand washing whenever possible. It is also best to air dry knitwear.
The best tools are a fabric shaver or a pilling comb. They gently remove small bobbles.
A special wool detergent or delicate detergent is ideal. These products are particularly mild and protect the fibres.
As rarely as possible. Knitwear does not need to be washed after every wear. Often it is enough to air it out.
High temperatures or strong friction can cause fibres to contract. That is why knitwear should always be washed gently.
