Our 5 expert tips for looking after knitwear
Knitwear, whether made from wool, cashmere or another delicate material, requires special care to maintain its quality and appearance over time. Although they are synonymous with comfort and warmth, they are often subject to premature wear, with the appearance of pilling, pulled threads or even small holes. Fortunately, it's possible to extend the life of your favourite pieces by taking the right steps and getting professional repairs.
At Tilli, our specialist Makers are at your service to maintain and repair your knitwear with expert craftsmanship. We offer durable, aesthetic and material-friendly solutions to bring your jumpers, cardigans, waistcoats and other woollen garments back to life. What's more, as a repairer approved by the Repair Bonus scheme, we offer you the chance to benefit from discounts ranging from €6 to €25 depending on the nature of the repair, so that preserving your clothes is not only an ecological gesture but also an economical one.
Here are our tips and techniques for looking after your knitwear, and how Tilli can repair it effectively so that it lasts for many seasons.
Repairing Damaged Areas to Prevent Damage
Even with the utmost care, your knitwear can sometimes suffer damage over time. Holes, pulled threads or wear at the elbows and collar are common problems. It's crucial to act quickly to prevent these small defects from getting worse. This is where the expertise of Tilli Makers comes in.
As an approved Repair Bonus repairer, we can give you a discount of between €6 and €25 on the cost of your repairs. Our Makers use specialised techniques to professionally restore your knitwear:
Invisible mending:
This technique consists of closing small holes or tears by re-stitching wool threads in a discreet and harmonious way. Our Makers use matching yarns for an almost invisible repair, preserving the original look of the garment.
Re-knitting:
For more extensive damage, particularly when stitches are lost, we can reconstruct the missing parts. Re-knitting is a delicate process that requires a great deal of expertise, but it allows your garments to be given a second lease of life without compromising their original quality.
Creative embroidery:
If you want to turn a repair into a customisation opportunity, our Makers also offer creative embroidery to camouflage damaged areas. You can choose patterns or initials to add a unique touch to your jumper while you repair it.
Fitting elbow pads:
The elbows of jumpers are often subject to wear and tear, especially if the jumper is worn frequently. Our Makers can fit leather or matching fabric Elbow pads to not only repair the wear, but also add a stylish and long-lasting touch to your garment.
By intervening quickly with the right solutions, our Makers will ensure that your knitwear lasts longer and looks great again.
Removing Pimples and Restoring the Shine of Your Clothes
Over time, even the best quality knitwear can start to pellet. Pilling is the formation of small balls of fibre on the surface of a garment as a result of repeated rubbing. They give a jumper a worn and unkempt look, but there are solutions to restore your garments to their former glory.
Our Makers recommend using pilling combs or fabric razors to gently remove these little growths without damaging the fibres. The process is simple, but it's essential to proceed with care so as not to pull the threads out of the knitwear and create holes.
If you don't feel comfortable doing this, you can entrust your knitted garments to our Makers, who have the right equipment to carry out this operation safely. With this extra care, your knitted jumpers and cardigans will look neat and almost as good as new.
Gentle washing: the key to protecting your knitwear
One of the most important stages in the care of knitwear is washing. Incorrect treatment can cause shrinkage, deformation or even destruction of the material. That's why it's vital to know how to preserve the quality of your wool jumpers, cashmere cardigans and other delicate garments.
Our Makers recommend washing your knitwear by hand or, if you use a washing machine, following these golden rules:
Turn the garment inside out:
This protects the delicate fibres from rubbing during washing.
Use a washing net or pillowcase:
Slip the garment into a protector to prevent the stitches from pulling or the jumper from catching on other garments.
Choose the wool programme on your washing machine:
Make sure you lower the temperature to 0°C and set the spin to 500 rpm maximum to keep it gentle on your knitwear.
Use a special wool detergent:
Conventional detergents can contain aggressive products that damage natural fibres like wool and cashmere. Go for a specific detergent to respect the nature of the fabric and never use fabric softener.
If your knitwear is marked "dry clean only", it is imperative that you follow this instruction. Improper washing could cause irreparable damage to your garment. Note that a good washing routine ensures that the colour and shape of your garments are better preserved, while keeping them soft and comfortable.
Correct drying to avoid warping
Drying is another delicate stage that should not be neglected. Knitwear should never be hung up to dry or put in the tumble dryer, as this can cause warping and shrinkage. To keep their original shape and extend their life, here's how our Makers recommend drying your knitwear:
Lay flat:
Once washed, lay the jumper or cardigan flat on a clean towel so that it absorbs the moisture. This technique prevents the garment from stretching under its own weight, as it often does when hanging on a hanger.
Change sides regularly:
Turn the garment inside out so that both sides dry evenly. This preserves the shape of the jumper and prevents permanent creases from appearing.
Dry away from the sun:
Direct exposure to UV rays can damage natural fibres and cause colours to lose their brilliance. It is therefore best to dry your wool pieces in a shady, well-ventilated area.
These simple but essential steps will ensure that your knitwear retains its original shape and texture for many years to come.
Storing and Protecting Your Clothes from Moths
Proper storage plays a major role in the durability of knitwear. Unlike ordinary garments, your woollen jumpers and cardigans should never be hung up, as this can lead to stretching, particularly in the shoulders.
Here are a few tips for optimum storage:
Fold your knitwear:
Don't hang them up. Fold them carefully and place them in a clean wardrobe, away from moisture.
Use natural anti-moth products:
Moths love natural fibres like wool. To protect your clothes, place cedar wood balls or lavender sachets in your drawers or wardrobe. These natural solutions repel moths while adding a pleasant scent to your wardrobe.
By ensuring that your clothes are properly stored, you can avoid not only warping but also moth attacks, which can seriously damage your knitwear.
Taking care of your knitwear is essential to extend its life and preserve its quality. By adopting the right washing, drying, storage and care routines, you can ensure that your favourite pieces stand the test of time. And when repairs are needed, Tilli Makers are on hand to offer a made-to-measure repair service, using professional and aesthetic techniques.
Don't forget that you can take advantage of the Repair Bonus, which allows you to have your clothes repaired at reduced rates. Thanks to Tilli, your knitwear will be restored to its former glory, so you can wear it for a long time to come.
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