How to care for your knits and fleeces

Don’t wash your knits and fleeces unless you absolutely have to

You only really need to wash your woollen jumpers once or twice a year. Wool is actually naturally antibacterial. Synthetic jumpers or cotton jumpers can be washed more often than that, but you can get lots of wear out of them before they have a deep clean. If it smells terrible or is really marked then head to the washing machine. If not, pop it back in the cupboard or follow some of our other tips below.

Spot wash stains - don’t just whack it in the laundry basket

A little bit of hot water (and if needed, mixed in with laundry detergent) dabbed on to offending stains can remove even the most stubborn marks. There is no point in taking the shrink risk for one or two marks. We’re also big fans of stain remover pens which you can easily purchase online and are nifty little accessories to keep in your bag for on-the-go stain removal.

Wash on ‘wool’ settings, or gentle, cooler cycles

Read your care labels and use the right settings on your washing machine. Generally speaking, the coolest temperature and the most gentle cycle is the best option if you want to avoid shrinkage and pilling. Heat is the enemy, period.

Air dry your knits and fleeces, don’t tumble dry

Tumble dryers are very HOT and what’s the theme here…we don’t like heat! Lie those jumpers up to dry on a clothes rack (or if you want to flirt with a little bit of heat, a heated drying rack or radiator won’t cause any problems). If possible, air dry using a hanger to maintain shape and structure.

Dry clean 100% wool items 1-2x a year

Opting to professionally clean your jumpers is one of the safest ways to make sure they’re clean and last longer. Yes this can feel like a bit of an extra thing to do (both in terms of time and financially) but if you only do it seasonally we think it’s worth going the extra mile. It means you can avoid colour fade and shrinkage - something no one likes to see.

Reduce smells by placing your knits and fleeces by a window for a half a day or using a spritz

Smells rather than stains can often be the reason why people automatically (and sometimes thoughtlessly) chuck a jumper in the laundry basket. Place your jumper by an open window to refresh any smells (though avoid direct sunlight if it’s coming in strongly as this can fade your colour). You can also give your jumper a spritz if it needs a helping hand. Combine half water and half vinegar into a spray bottle. Shake it up and spritz your musty-smelling clothing with the solution. If you add a few drops of essential oils to the mix that will help eliminate the smell of vinegar. You'll want to let your clothing air out for a bit otherwise. A steamer can also help eradicate unwanted smells.

Use a de-bobbler

Lastly, but definitely not least: our favourite hack. There is something just so therapeutic and satisfying about the magic of a de-bobbler. For those of you that don’t know, they’re little machines that you use to *essentially* shave your jumper. The process takes about 10 minutes and it costs around £15-£20 to purchase (though you can spend a lot more on fancier versions). By the time you are done, bobbles no more. It really can get your jumpers looking good as new - and we know all about that! Lot of the jumpers that find their way to Reskinned look completely different after an appointment at the de-bobbling station. Seriously, you won’t regret adding one to your household.
HOT TIP: You can also just use a regular razor but shhh, you didn’t hear it from us.