CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF KNITWEAR
From an environmentally friendly and sustainable point of view, we have compiled this guide to give you all the information you need for the daily care of fine knitwear by Canali, to help our customers extend its life cycle.
Washing of cashmere and merino wool
Soft, warm and lightweight: cashmere and merino wool are known to be fine fibres and a real treat for your skin. But that's not all: they are also insulating, resistant to felting, breathable, anti-static and absorbent. Find out how to keep them beautiful and soft over time.
There are three options for cleaning cashmere and merino wool jumpers and sweaters: dry cleaning (in the dry cleaners), hand washing and machine washing. They all have pros and cons and, since they are very delicate fibres, nothing should be left to chance.
Dry cleaning: even if done professionally, is still a harsh process that uses solvents to wash and sanitise the garment. We therefore recommend that you do this no more than twice a year.
Hand washing: this is the gentlest, provided it is done carefully. We recommend filling a basin with warm water and dissolving soap or a mild neutral detergent which is specially designed for wool and cashmere. There are many on the market, preferably organic or plant-based and containing lanolin, with a protective action. Fabric softener, however, should be avoided because it deposits a sheen on the fibres which could damage them over time. The garment should be soaked upside down and immersed for a short time (no more than 5-10 minutes), to keep the colours and fabric intact. When washing, rub it gently without twisting it. Rinse it, changing the water until the detergent is completely dispersed, but never wring it, otherwise the fibres will be irreparably damaged. Do the last rinse in cold water to avoid felting.
Drying is a very delicate stage, which must be done away from direct sources of light and heat. The position of the garment is very important: do not place it on a hanger when still wet because it could get deformed. Instead, lay it down on a flat surface, wrap it in a towel and dab it gently to let the water out. Afterwards, leave it to "rest" for 24 hours, so that the fabric regains its initial shape and the fibres have the chance to "recover" from being washed.
It is also possible to put it in washing machine, provided that you take some precautions. First of all, you need to check on the clothing label which types of washing are allowed. Then choose a gentle washing cycle at a temperature of 30° maximum (or even lower, if possible). The spin cycle should be excluded or limited to the maximum (400 rpm, no more), and you should definitely avoid using a dryer as it is too aggressive. For added protection, we recommend placing the garment inside out in an underwear laundry bag or pillowcase. Use a specific detergent product for delicate items free from softener or enzymes that could cause the wool fibres to swell, felting and ruining them. For drying, follow the same rules described above (place the garment in a horizontal position, do not hang it up).
Washing and drying of cotton
This is obtained from cellulose and is one of the freshest and most commonly used fabrics: cotton absorbs humidity and is resistant to high temperatures and ironing. However, it can shrink easily, so you should take some precautions when washing and drying. Pure cotton garments can be washed by hand and in the washing machine, at different temperatures, depending on the colour and construction.
- When hand washing, just immerse same-colour garments in plenty of hot water, dissolve some mild detergent or Marseille soap, and leave them to soak for about 15-20 minutes, rubbing gently. Then rinse under running water until the detergent has been removed. Do not wash white and coloured cotton together.
- In the washing machine, white cotton garments can be washed at up to 60°, while coloured cotton needs to be washed between 30° and 60°. In order not to minimise creasing, it is always better to select medium-low temperatures and not to overdo it with the spin cycle. Extra care is needed for organic cotton garments: since this is a more delicate fabric, obtained without the use of synthetic chemicals, we recommend washing it at low temperatures (30°), with a medium spin (800 rpm maximum).
- Drying is a fundamental stage: the best way to do this is to hang the clothes out still wet and let them dry naturally, so that the fibres stretch out. The important thing is not to leave your laundry in direct sunlight, to prevent it from turning yellow. A useful tip to keep your colours constantly bright is to dissolve a few drops of vinegar in the water.
Storage and use of knitwear
Even though cotton is less demanding than cashmere and merino wool, all three fabrics need to "breathe" and "rest". We therefore advise not to wear the garments too often, alternating them every two days and not to wash them every time you have worn them.
In particular, "bobbles" can form on a cashmere or extrafine merino wool garment. However, pilling is a normal phenomenon, which is a sign of the quality and naturalness of the fibre. If the bobbles are already visible, brush the garment regularly and gently with a special comb for wool or cashmere. We advise against razors because they are harsher.
When it is time to ditch your winter clothes in favour of the summer ones, we suggest using a breathable canvas garment bag for each piece of clothing, leaving it slightly open to let it breathe, avoiding bad smells or humidity, and storing the garment in a cool and dry place. If you have to store several items in the same bag – especially if these are wool and cashmere – separate them from each other using a sheet of tissue paper which will absorb the humidity.
When storing the garments, regardless of the fabric, remember to insert an anti-moth product (even of natural origin, such as cedar, lavender, citrus fruits, or cloves) to be changed approximately every 2-3 months.
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