Knitwear care: keep your jumpers looking new

A good jumper should last for years, not one winter. The difference is rarely the yarn — it is how it is washed, dried and stored. None of this takes long, and it keeps the shape and softness you paid for.

Wash less, wash cool

Knitwear does not need washing after every wear; airing it overnight is usually enough. When it does, turn it inside out and either hand wash or use a wool cycle at 30°C with a gentle detergent. Never wring — press the water out between two towels.

Dry flat, away from heat

Lay the jumper flat on a dry towel, reshape the shoulders and hem while it is damp, and let it dry naturally. Radiators, tumble dryers and direct sun are what shrink and stiffen wool, so keep it away from all three.

Pilling is normal

Small bobbles appear where fabric rubs — under the arms, where a bag strap sits. It happens to soft yarns in particular and is not a fault. A fabric comb or a battery de-piller removes them in a minute and the knit looks new again.

Store folded, not hung

Hangers stretch the shoulders of a jumper out of shape. Fold knits on a shelf or in a drawer, and at the end of the season store them clean with a cedar block, which keeps moths away without the smell of mothballs.