Skip to content

Garment Care

Making Your Luxury Knitwear Last a Lifetime

When you invest in a high-quality piece of luxury knitwear, we know you want it to stand the test of time. Through care and attention, and by following the proper cleaning techniques, you can extend the lifespan of your woollen knitwear, allowing it to become a treasured heirloom that can be passed down through generations. 

Wool and cashmere are incredibly soft, natural fibres, but they are also delicate, and so require a little more care than coarser yarns in order to keep them at their best. Read on to learn how to care for knitwear by methods tried and tested by Genevieve herself.

Knitwear Care Bundle with lavendar bags, wool wash, and heart lavender sachet
Using Genevieve Sweeney cedarwood comb to lightly clean Maddis Cardigan
Genevieve Sweeney Maud Lambswool Sweater hanging from a tree

When you invest in a high-quality piece of luxury knitwear, we know you want it to stand the test of time.

HOW TO WASH KNITWEAR

Wash as infrequently as possible. Wool is a natural, breathable fabric that wicks away moisture and therefore doesn’t need to be washed as frequently as other fibres. We recommend washing your knitwear just once a year if possible, with spot cleaning and airing in between to treat stains and freshen up. 

To spot clean, use a brush or a cloth to gently work stains out of the garment – avoid rubbing too aggressively or applying too much pressure.

Always hand wash your knitwear. Never put a piece of knitwear in a washing machine or dry cleaner. We always recommend hand washing to maintain the quality and softness of the yarn. Wash in a clean basin, free from harmful products that could damage the yarn, using a gentle garment detergent

Turn the garment inside out and submerge in water, moving it gently through the suds without pressing too hard or being too vigorous. Carefully massage a small amount of detergent on any stains, and leave to soak for 30 minutes. Then gently rinse the garment until the water runs clear.

HOW TO DRY KNITWEAR

Air dry your knitwear flat to ensure wet garments keep their shape. Never wring or twist wet knitwear; instead, carefully press out excess water then place onto a clean, dry bath towel. Roll up the towel with the garment inside and press with your palms to squeeze out the remaining water.

Once you have gently pressed out the remaining water, remove and place the piece of knitwear flat onto a new clean, dry towel, arranging it into its original shape. Leave it to air dry flat, replacing the towel if necessary.

Don’t hang knitwear to dry, as it will stretch and lose its shape, and you also risk leaving hanger marks in the fabric. Never tumble dry knitwear, as this causes it to shrink and become misshapen, as well as wearing down the fibres.

HOW TO STORE KNITWEAR

Correct storage protects knitwear from mould and moths. Never hang knitwear, as this may cause it to lose its shape and leave indentations in the shoulders. Instead, fold your knitwear and wrap it in acid-free tissue paper or canvas bags, storing it flat in a clean, dry place.

Try adding sachets of natural lavender, rosemary, cedar balls or cloves to drawers, cupboards, and wardrobes where you store your knitwear to ward off moths – these are all-natural alternatives to mothballs, which usually contain harsh chemicals.

Keep on top of pilling. It’s common and completely normal for small balls of fibre to form over time in areas of your knitwear where there is more friction – like under the arms. Pilling can be easily removed with gentle combing, which should be infrequent to avoid yarn fibres breaking.
You may find the brushed wool on styles such as Lunan, Leslie, Laide and Lenzie rub together where there is more friction – like under the arms. We recommend brushing with a gentle wire brush to even out and elongate the fibres to get your knits looking as good as new.

What to do if you find moths in your knitwear?

If you do find moths, check all of your knitwear and treat the issue immediately. If you only discover moth holes on one piece of knitwear, it is still best to treat the problem thoroughly to completely eradicate the moths.

There are several methods for getting rid of moths in your home, and we advise using a combination of these together for the best results.

Remove all clothes from the area where you discovered the moths and thoroughly clean your wardrobe and drawers. Wash all fabrics in the room, including bedding, curtains, and clothes. For extra measure, seal your knitwear inside plastic bags and place it in the freezer for a week, then wash once defrosted.

Vacuum all surfaces in the room, paying attention to cracks in walls and furniture and gaps in floorboards. Then use soap and water to clean the inside of wardrobes and drawers. Steam is very effective in killing moth larvae, so we recommend purchasing a steamer and regularly steaming your clothes.

Use a natural moth killer inside your wardrobe or drawers to destroy eggs and larvae before returning your knitwear. Ensure your clothes are stored in moth-proof storage bags, and use a natural moth repellent to prevent the moths from returning.

Proudly British Made

Proudly British Made

Local wool, local hand craftmanship

Delivery & Returns

Delivery & Returns

Treasured pieces delivered with care

Uncompromised Quality

Uncompromised Quality

Beautiful garments that will be treasured for years