When washing knitted cardigan, the first thing to pay attention to is the water temperature. Water that is too hot will make knitted fabrics lose their original elasticity, and even cause the clothes to shrink and deform, while water that is too low may not be able to completely remove stains. Generally speaking, it is more appropriate to choose a water temperature that feels gentle, which can not only ensure the cleaning effect, but also protect the texture of the fabric to the greatest extent, so that the cardigan can still maintain a good shape after washing.
The choice of detergent should not be ignored. Try to avoid using irritating alkaline detergents, which can easily destroy the fiber structure of knitted fabrics, making the clothes rough and losing their softness. You can choose a neutral detergent designed specifically for knitted fabrics. Its mild formula can protect the natural state of the fabric while cleaning stains, reduce damage to the texture of the cardigan, and keep the clothes soft and smooth.
The technique during the cleaning process is also critical. The fabric of knitted cardigan is relatively soft, and rubbing or wringing it hard can easily cause the fabric to pill, deform, or even break. The correct way is to dissolve the detergent, gently put the cardigan in water and soak it for a while, then press it gently with your hands to let the stains leave the fabric with the water. After washing, press it with your hands to squeeze out the water instead of wringing it hard, which can effectively protect the fiber structure of the clothes.
Drying is crucial to the maintenance of knitted cardigans. If you hang the cardigan directly on the hanger to dry, it is easy to cause the shoulders to sag and deform due to the weight of the clothes, affecting the overall shape. You can lay the cardigan flat on the clothes rack and let it dry naturally, avoiding direct sunlight, because long-term strong light exposure may cause the fabric to fade and lose its original color. If you need to hang it, you can choose a wide-shoulder hanger to reduce the stretching of the shoulder fabric.
When storing knitted cardigans, pay attention to maintaining a dry and ventilated environment. A humid environment can easily cause the fabric to breed mold, produce odors, and even damage the fibers. Before storing, make sure that the cardigan is completely dry, then you can fold it neatly and put it in the closet, avoid putting it together with sharp objects to prevent the fabric from being snagged or scratched. For some knitted cardigans that are prone to pilling, you can also use a dust bag to cover them separately to reduce friction with other clothes.
Daily maintenance during wear can also extend the service life of knitted cardigans. Try to avoid letting the cardigan touch rough surfaces to prevent the fabric from being hooked and pilling; if it is accidentally stained with oil during wearing, it should be wiped gently with a clean cloth dipped in a small amount of clean water in time to avoid the stains being difficult to remove after being attached for a long time. In addition, after frequent wearing, you can lay the cardigan flat for a period of time to allow the fabric to restore its elasticity and reduce deformation caused by continuous stretching.
For knitted cardigans that have already slightly pilled, do not tear them forcibly with your hands, as this will further damage the fabric fibers. You can use a special depilator to gently slide on the pilling area to remove the small balls. Pay attention to moderate strength during operation to avoid scratching the fabric. After processing, use a soft brush to gently comb the surface of the fabric to restore the cardigan to a neat appearance and keep it in good wearing condition.
