Caring for Woollen Knitwear

Caring for Your Woollen Knitwear

At Berrima’s Overflow, we specialise in quality natural fibre clothing, with a particular love of beautiful woollen knitwear. Every garment we choose has been crafted by skilled makers using exceptional wool from Australia and around the world. With a little care, your knitwear will reward you with warmth, comfort and enjoyment for many years.

One of wool’s greatest qualities is that it doesn’t need frequent washing. Wool is naturally odour and stain resistant, so often all your garment needs is a day hanging outside in the fresh air to feel beautifully refreshed.

When it is time to wash your knitwear, these simple tips will help keep it looking its best.

Be gentle when removing your jumper

Always take your knitwear off carefully. Slip your arms out of the sleeves first, then gently lift the garment over your head. Avoid pulling on the neckline, as this can stretch the collar and place unnecessary strain on the shoulder seams.

Hand washing is always best

Hand washing is the gentlest way to care for wool and is the best way to minimise shrinkage and pilling.

Turn your garment inside out and soak it for around five minutes in lukewarm water with a small amount of wool wash or a mild liquid soap.

Avoid regular laundry detergents, bleach and fabric softeners, as they can damage the natural wool fibres and shorten the life of your garment.

If the care label says machine washable…

Many quality wool garments today are labelled as machine washable. However, even machine washable wool deserves a little extra care.

Wool shrinks when the fibres become warm, wet and are rubbed together. This rubbing causes the tiny scales on the wool fibres to lock together in a process called felting. Once this happens, the garment becomes smaller, denser and firmer.

Modern washing machines—particularly those that use very little water—can sometimes increase this rubbing if the garment cannot move freely during the wash.

If you choose to machine wash your knitwear:

• Always use the wool or delicate cycle.
• Wash in cold or lukewarm water only.
• Use a detergent designed specifically for wool.
• Wash the garment on its own, or with only one or two other soft wool items.
• Make sure there is plenty of water in the wash so the garment can move freely rather than rubbing against itself or other clothing.

Whenever possible, we still recommend hand washing. It is the gentlest method and will help your knitwear stay beautiful for many years.

Squeeze, don’t rub

Gently squeeze the garment through the water. Never rub, wring or twist it.

After rinsing, you can add half a teaspoon of almond oil to the final rinse if you wish to naturally condition the wool. Avoid fabric softeners.

Lay the garment flat on a large towel, roll it up like a Swiss roll and gently press to remove excess moisture.

Dry flat

Reshape your knitwear while it is still damp and lay it flat on a clean towel to dry naturally.

Avoid direct sunlight, heaters, fireplaces and clothes dryers, as excessive heat can damage the fibres and cause shrinkage.

Once dry, a light steam or gentle press through a damp cloth will help restore its shape.

Fold, don’t hang

Always fold your knitwear rather than hanging it. Hanging can stretch the shoulders and distort the shape over time.

Before storing garments away for the warmer months, ensure they are clean. Store them folded in an airtight container or vacuum storage bag with cedarwood, lavender or another moth deterrent in a cool, dry place.

Avoid perfume and deodorant

Try not to spray perfume, deodorant or hairspray directly onto your knitwear.

Over time these products can weaken natural fibres, making them brittle. Fragrances can also attract clothes moths.

Protect your knitwear from moths

If you notice small holes in your knitwear, the cause is often clothes moths or silverfish rather than wear.

If you discover an infestation:

• Seal affected garments in plastic bags and freeze them for two weeks.
• Thoroughly vacuum wardrobes, drawers and carpets.
• Treat the affected area if necessary to destroy both adult moths and eggs.
• Only return your knitwear to storage once the problem has been eliminated.

A little prevention goes a long way in protecting beautiful woollen garments.

Pilling is perfectly normal

Pure wool garments often develop a few small bobbles during their first wears. This is completely normal.

Loose surface fibres naturally work free through movement and form small balls known as pills.

Once your garment is completely dry, gently remove them by hand, with a sweater comb or a quality fabric shaver. Never use scissors.

Most premium wool garments pill less and less over time, and after the first few washes the pilling usually reduces significantly.

Common mistakes that can damage wool

Over the years we’ve found that most problems with woollen knitwear are caused by a few simple mistakes:

• Washing in water that is too hot.
• Using regular laundry detergent instead of wool wash.
• Washing with heavy garments such as jeans or towels.
• Washing in a machine with too little water, causing excessive rubbing and felting.
• Using the wrong wash cycle.
• Wringing or twisting the garment.
• Hanging knitwear to dry.
• Putting wool in a clothes dryer, even for “just a few minutes.”

Fortunately, all of these are easy to avoid.

With the right care, quality woollen knitwear should last for many years. In fact, many of our customers are still wearing garments they purchased from us decades ago.

At Berrima’s Overflow, we believe beautiful natural fibres are made to be enjoyed for a lifetime—not just a season.