You can refresh a sweater without washing it: air it for a few hours, gently steam it, remove pills with a comb and spot-clean any stain. Leave washing for the end of the season or for when the sweater is visibly dirty. Below we describe the whole process and a simple routine that keeps a hand-knitted sweater looking new for a long time.
Why it is worth washing your sweater less often
Every wash puts strain on the fibres. Hand washing is safe, but wet knitwear is heavy, stretches easily and can take up to a day to dry. Natural fibres air out well, so after a few hours somewhere airy the sweater usually feels fresh again.
That is why it is better to refresh a sweater after wearing it and wash it rarely, only when it really needs it.
How to refresh a sweater step by step
It all takes about fifteen minutes, most of which is simply airing.
- Air it. Lay the sweater on a drying rack or drape it over the back of a chair somewhere airy and shady. Leave it for a few hours. Don't hang it on a thin hanger, as it will stretch at the shoulders.
- Steam it. Hold the steamer a few centimetres from the knit and move it slowly without touching. Steam relaxes the fibres and smooths the surface. You can also hang the sweater in the bathroom while you take a hot shower, but not in the direct stream of water.
- Remove pills and loose fibres. Gently run a knit comb over the areas with the most friction, under the arms and on the sleeves. Use a lint roller to pick up loose fibres.
- Spot-clean any stain. Blot it with a tissue without rubbing, then rinse the spot with cool water and a little wool detergent. Press, don't scrub, and finally pat dry with a towel. There is no need to soak the whole sweater.
- Reshape it. Lay the sweater flat and straighten the ribbing and sleeves with your hands until they lie evenly. Let it finish drying flat if the knit is damp after steaming or stain removal.
How to freshen up the smell of a sweater
Airing alone works best. Don't spray perfume directly onto the knit, as it can leave stains. You can put a lavender or cedarwood sachet in the drawer, which smells lovely and keeps moths away at the same time. If you want to use a ready-made wool refreshing spray, test it on a hidden spot first.
A simple sweater care routine
- After every wear: air the sweater and check it for stains.
- Every few wears: remove pills with a comb and steam the sweater.
- Regularly: rotate your sweaters so the fibres can rest.
- Once a season: hand wash the sweater and put it away clean. We describe the whole process in our guide to washing hand-knitted sweaters.
How to store a sweater
Fold the sweater and keep it in a drawer or on a shelf. On a hanger, knitwear stretches. For the summer season, put it in a breathable cotton bag or box and add a lavender or cedar sachet. Airtight plastic and vacuum bags are not ideal, because knitwear needs air. Before putting it away, make sure the sweater is clean, because moths are attracted to smells and food traces.
When you do need to wash your sweater
When the stain is large, the sweater is visibly dirty or the season is over, hand wash it in water up to 30°C with a gentle wool detergent, without wringing, and dry it flat. You will find the next steps in our guide. If you have any doubts about your La Opalia sweater, write to us, we will advise you.
Behind every La Opalia sweater are many hours of work by our Master Knitters. A few simple habits will make it last for years. If you are looking for a sweater for next season, take a look at our collection of alpaca sweaters.
