Wool Week: 6 Ways to Store Your Knitwear

Now in its 9th year, Campaign For Wool Wool Week celebrates wool from sheep to shop, promotes better welfare for animals and fairer prices for farmers.

WOOL FACTS

Natural
Wool is a protein fibre formed in the skin of sheep and is thus 100% natural.
For centuries it has been appreciated as one of the most effective forms of all-weather protection known to man.

Renewable
As long as there is grass to graze on, every year sheep will produce a new fleece; making wool a renewable fibre source. Woolgrowers actively work to safeguard the environment and improve efficiency, endeavouring to make the wool industry sustainable for future generations.

Biodegradable
At the end of its useful life, wool can be returned to the soil, where it decomposes, releasing valuable nutrients into the ground. It takes a very short time to break down, whereas most synthetics are extremely slow to degrade.

Breathable
Wool fibres are crimped, and when tightly packed together form millions of tiny pockets of air. This unique structure allows it to absorb and release moisture; either in the atmosphere or perspiration from the wearer, without compromising its thermal efficiency.

Trans-seasonable
Thanks to its hygroscopic abilities, wool constantly reacts to changes in body temperature, maintaining its wearer’s thermophysical comfort in both cold and warm weather.

Naturally safe
Wool is naturally safe. It is not known to cause allergies and does not promote the growth of bacteria. It can even reduce floating dust in the atmosphere, as the fibre’s microscopic scales are able to trap and hold dust in the top layers until vacuumed away. Wool also has a naturally high level of UV protection, which is much higher than most synthetics and cotton.

Our virgin wool garments are ethically produced in Portugal and firm favourites amongst our customers. But what is the best way of looking after your woollies?

Since knitwear is very delicate, your garments need to be treated with a little extra care and attention, which is why we have come up with some top tips and advice to help your favourite pieces last longer and to look just as good as they did when you first bought them...

1. Fold it

The ideal way to store your knitwear is to flat fold and stack your individual styles, as this will allow the garment to hold its shape. However, you don’t want to create huge piles, so try to stack them no higher than 4-5 so that you can easily see your knitwear and remember what you have stored at the bottom of the pile!

2. In a rush?

Why not opt for wire or clear drawers or stack your knitwear on shelves so you can easily see what knitwear you have stored and where? (This will save heaps of time when you're in a rush in the morning, rummaging through your knitwear collection for that specific jumper you must wear!)

3. No hanging

If possible try to avoid hanging your thick, heavy knitwear as the garment will start to stretch overtime causing it to lose its original shape. If you would like to hang some of your knitwear, we suggest only hanging light cardigans using foam padded hangers.

4. Keep it fresh

An important note when folding your knitwear away is to make sure that your garments are clean, as the bacteria generated can create holes and contamination, which nobody wants!

5. Smelling sweet

To add a bit of freshness amongst your knitwear, try adding lavender bags between your knits. Not only does this keep your knitwear smelling fresh and clean, it also deters moths from damaging the fabric.

The Hetty Wool Coat

6. Til next season

Why not use a clear storage box to fold away your knitwear you don’t need? Storage boxes can either be put away or stored under your bed to create extra space for your current clothing to be folded away. By storing the knitwear in a concealed air tight box, it will not only protect your knits, but you can also see the content inside when it’s time to change your wardrobe around for the new season. To save even more space, you can also use vacuum packs to store your knitwear. The air tight package will not only save space but also avoid the garment from getting into contact with insects and building moisture.

So can you improve how you store your knitwear and do you have any more tips or advice? Get in touch if you do and make sure you let us know how you’ve updated your wardrobe!