How to Care for Your Knitwear

Your Knitwear Deserves Better

Here is a truth that most clothing brands will not tell you: how you care for your clothes matters more than how they were made. The finest merino sweater in the world will pill, shrink, and lose its shape if you treat it like a gym shirt. Conversely, a well-cared-for knit can look better at year five than it did on the day you bought it.

At Commonware, we invest heavily in the quality of our knitwear. Our Merino Crew Sweater uses mulesing-free wool that is spun to resist pilling, and our organic cotton knits are pre-shrunk and dyed for longevity. But even the best construction needs proper care to reach its full potential.

Here is everything you need to know.

Washing: Less Is More

The single most important rule of knitwear care is this: wash less often than you think you need to. Knitwear does not need to be washed after every wear. Natural fibers like wool and cotton have inherent odor-resistant properties, and overwashing breaks down fibers faster than wearing does.

When to Wash

After 3-5 wears for cotton knits
After 5-7 wears for wool and merino knits
Immediately if visibly soiled or stained
When the garment starts to feel heavy or stiff

Between Washes

Air it out. After wearing, hang your knit in a well-ventilated area for a few hours before putting it away. This allows moisture and odor to dissipate naturally.
Spot clean. For small stains, use a damp cloth with a tiny amount of mild detergent. Dab, do not rub.
Steam it. A handheld steamer refreshes knits beautifully, releasing wrinkles and killing odor-causing bacteria without the stress of a full wash.

How to Wash

When washing day arrives:

Hand wash when possible. Fill a basin with cool water and a small amount of wool-safe detergent (we recommend Eucalan or Soak). Submerge the garment, gently agitate for a minute, and let it soak for 15-20 minutes. Rinse in cool water until the soap is gone.
Machine wash with caution. If hand washing is not realistic for your lifestyle, use the delicate or wool cycle with cold water and a mesh laundry bag. Never use regular detergent - it is too harsh for knit fibers.
Never use hot water. Heat is the enemy of knitwear. It causes shrinkage in wool and weakens cotton fibers.
Never wring. Twisting a wet knit stretches the fibers permanently. Instead, press the water out gently or roll the garment in a clean towel.

Drying: Patience Pays Off

How you dry your knitwear is just as important as how you wash it.

Lay flat to dry. Always. Hanging a wet knit on a hanger will stretch it out of shape. Lay it flat on a clean, dry towel, reshape it to its original dimensions, and let it air dry completely.
Keep it away from direct heat. No radiators, no direct sunlight, no tumble dryers. Heat damages fibers and can cause shrinkage even in pre-shrunk garments.
Flip it halfway through. Once the top side feels dry, turn the garment over so the underside can dry evenly.

Drying time varies depending on the weight of the knit and humidity, but expect 12-24 hours for most pieces. Plan accordingly.

Storage: Think Flat, Not Hung

Knitwear and hangers are not friends. A heavy knit hung on a hanger will develop shoulder bumps and stretch through the body over time. Instead:

Fold and stack. Store knits folded on shelves or in drawers. If shelf space is limited, fold them neatly and place them in breathable cotton storage bags.
Cedar, not mothballs. If moths are a concern (and if you own wool, they should be), use cedar blocks or rings rather than chemical mothballs. Cedar repels moths naturally and smells far better.
Give them room. Do not cram knits into tight spaces. Compressed fibers lose their loft, and the garment will feel flat and lifeless when you pull it out.

Seasonal Storage

At the end of knit season, wash every piece before storing it for the summer. Moths are attracted to body oils and food residue, not the fiber itself. A clean garment is a safe garment.

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light. A breathable garment bag or a cotton pillowcase works well. Avoid plastic bags, which trap moisture.

Dealing With Pilling

Pilling is a natural part of a knit garment’s life. It happens when short fibers work their way to the surface and tangle together. It is not a sign of poor quality - even the finest cashmere pills.

To remove pills:

Use a fabric shaver or sweater comb. These tools lift pills cleanly without damaging the underlying fabric.
Work gently in one direction across the fabric surface.
Do this on a flat surface with the garment laid out smooth.

With regular depilling, your knit will actually look better over time as the shorter fibers are removed and the longer, stronger fibers dominate the surface.

Repairs

A small hole or pulled thread does not mean the end of a garment. Basic knit repairs are simpler than you might think:

Pulled threads: Use a crochet hook to gently work the loop back to the inside of the garment.
Small holes: A simple darning technique with matching yarn can make a hole virtually invisible.
Professional repair: For larger damage, a tailor who specializes in knitwear can often restore the piece to near-original condition.

We offer a repair guide on our website, and our customer service team can recommend repair specialists in your area.

The Payoff

A well-maintained knit is one of the most rewarding garments you can own. It softens with age, develops character, and becomes a piece you genuinely look forward to wearing when the temperature drops. Give your knitwear the care it deserves, and it will return the favor for years.