Caring For Fine Knits - Washing, Shaving and Storing

[@Rosa7388]

I swear this is the masterclass video I have been waiting for ever since I found out you were a knitwear designer years ago. Thank you so much, Michele!💕

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome!

[@therealdonnawagner]

This is basically how I've been doing my fabric care for years, towel burrito and all. :::high fives::: I started after learning from Martha Stewart back in the day when Martha Stewart Living aired in the 90s and early 2000s. I have fabric bins that have a metal frame inside them to store my sweaters and scarves. They zip and keep any bugs that might get into the house (not that we have many, it's just in case since we live in South Carolina) away from the natural fibers, but they're also breathable allowing some air exchange. They fit very nicely on my closet shelves, so it looks all neat and orderly.

[@TheMicheleWang]

Awesome!

[@Faithb73]

I accidentally washed one of my wool sweaters and dried it. For the life of me, when I was folding laundry, I was trying to figure out who’s toddler sweater was in my clothes pile! I don’t have kids at home…. The heart break I had, after realizing it was mine🤦‍♀️😂😂……they really can shrink up to nothingness.

[@raquelstewart6780]

Hilarious 😂

[@modestiafashion7943]

I did the same to a wool scarf, and the only ones who have been able to wear it after that are my babies/toddlers. 😂

[@Faithb73]

@@modestiafashion7943 😂 it’s shocking to see things end up so tiny

[@sweetGGbaby]

This happened to me too! I was devastated

[@Faithb73]

@@sweetGGbaby if we didn’t laugh, all we’d do is cry.

[@kristariehl3929]

This video was so helpful! I just started getting into higher quality knits last year and have been hand washing them, but am always worried I should be doing something differently. I would love if you did a video on your favorite places to purchase fine knits and what to look for in a piece!

[@lauraconnelly1963]

Thank you!!! You answered so many of my questions and I realized how many things I was doing incorrectly😮 grateful that you took the time to post this😊

[@TheMicheleWang]

Glad it was informative and useful!

[@LizLyonsPhD]

I have been knitting since the age of 4 when my Milanese nanny taught me, starting with simple scarves. I exclusively knitted with animal hair until I discovered that we are regularly visited by moths here in Los Angeles, and I reluctantly introduced blends to try and avoid the heartache of holes. I use your exact system with the exception that I have not kneeled on the "burrito" but rather used my hands. Everything else is exactly the same (I use light colored, older bath sheets for this). It is worth doing this. The only pieces I will dry clean are afghans (in fact, I am knitting one this week and doing so while I watch this video, LOL). If you know how to prevent moths, I would be grateful. A sorority sister of mine came from a sweater maker family in Italy and showed us how to fold a sweater properly. I have been doing that ever since and have well over 100 sweaters (knitted coats, cardigans, afghans, hats, scarves, mittens -- only socks have not captured my interest). Thank you for this, Michele. It is excellent advice with scientific underpinnings! 🥰

[@sirilawson2557]

Me too, I’ve been a knitter since I was tiny, and have also used that burrito method for many years. I have a treasured picture here of 5 of us wearing the same pattern hand knitted sweater, and was heart broken one year to find that moths had been feasting on my husband’s sweater. The hole was much too big for repair, about the size of my fist. Since then I’ve been using a method that seems to work in preventing moths. I must have read somewhere that they don’t like cedar, in fact we had a big cedar covered storage room in our house for many years and never had any problem with critters. Go to your pet store and see of they have “shaved cedar” - I don’t know what it’s called, I think it’s used in hamster cages(?) I scoop a bunch of it into the legs of old panty hose, tie a knot at the end and either hang it with the wool item, or place it in the container where I store the items, or even put one in between each item if I keep them on a shelf. I think I found mine at Walmart, over where they had the fish tanks and pet stuff.

[@LizLyonsPhD]

@@sirilawson2557 I will try that, thank you. We had a cedar closet when I was growing up in our Victorian house back East but somehow I think these moths out here are too many and too aggressive for a cedar lined closet. It never occurred to me to get shaved cedar and that stocking method sounds genius. I appreciate that!

[@YouSayTomato]

@@sirilawson2557 what a clever idea, thank you! We have carpet moths in our house (in southeast England) which are tenacious little creatures 😠😭

[@sirilawson2557]

@@LizLyonsPhD hope it works for you! A crazy thing happened: just a couple of minutes after I had posted my message to you, I went to watch a video of someone I’ve followed for a while, who buys and sells antiques. He was showing a cedar chest, and his comments section was flooded with comments about how cedar chests (hope chests) were/are traditionally used to keep moths out of wool items etc. Man, the coincidence was downright spooky! I must add, this was not a video that was suggested to me (algorithm and all that), I sought it out myself, and the title said nothing about cedar chests.

[@elvirabroekhuizen8718]

This was FANTASTIC Michele! I’ve been waiting for this video since you mentioned you would make one. I didn’t know how to use the pilling remover so this video was very helpful. And the info on the structure of the fibers very interesting and makes me understand the materials more. Many thanks.

[@TheMicheleWang]

So glad you enjoyed 😉

[@TheMocao]

Boy am I glad I watched this video - I’ve done so many things wrong in the past, and now I know how to care for my new knits!

[@TheMicheleWang]

Fantastic!

[@rachelo6727]

Rosa is right, an absolute Masterclass video! Thanks Michele!

[@julieswann9729]

Amazingly helpful and interesting! It’s so wonderful to see another area of your expertise

[@TheMicheleWang]

Thank you!

[@sarahogren3697]

Thank you so much for creating these instructions!! This is very helpful and something I have not heard anyone talk about previously. ❤❤❤

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome! And, thank you!

[@yuliabudd4401]

So incredibly helpful and informative!! Thank you Michele!!

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome!

[@glomendez2248]

Thank you! I would love to watch videos about taking care of luxury cloths.

[@michaeljay3629]

Thank you so much for this. Incredibly helpful & I appreciate (as always) how knowledgeable you are.

[@kenneth6673]

this is the best and most informed video I've found so far! I have a Fendi knit that is wool but I treat it like it's a delicate.

[@TheMicheleWang]

Thank you!

[@Kay-lc4ku]

Brilliant video 😊 I wash my wool & cashmere knits in the machine on delicate cycle & cold water, then air dry. Never had an issue with shrinking or felting. Now, pilling is the real pain 😅 I need one of those manual shavers. Cheers Michele !

[@TheMicheleWang]

❤️

[@stephanieadditon7054]

Love this video…these techniques are hard to find and so important to know how to do. Thank you

[@loralee3232]

Michele, thank you for the video on caring for knits. I did not know about the towel burrito and not storing in bags. And how to take care of pilling on knits. Very helpful! 😊❤️

[@elizabethhan911]

I loved this type of informational video. Thank you!

[@christinaoconnell7476]

Such great information. thanks Michele! And nice to see your scarf ... I love mine and hang it over the back of my work chair to feel cozy every day ... no pilling, just comfort.

[@TheMicheleWang]

Thank you!

[@maireadweaver8952]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! This was brilliant!!! I was glad to know that I had being nearly all of those things .. including the burrito, but the pilling tool is something that I need to invest in!! I have a lint roller and it really doesn't do the job very well. This was a great tutorial x

[@nancycox6548]

Once you hand wash your knits you’ll never go back to dry cleaning. Knits are softer in a good way plus I find the process amazingly rewarding rather than a chore. Also better for the environment - I like the rinseless soaps as less water used. I also soak overnight- my knitting friends think that’s crazy - so glad you agree! Gleener awesome too - gave as gifts and everyone loves them.

[@TheMicheleWang]

Thanks Nancy!

[@sarahr9181]

Such an awesome video; so incredibly helpful!! Thank you so much!! ❤️

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome!

[@sarahpenz3739]

What a super video. Thanks Michele!

[@TheMicheleWang]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@gillsimpson4976]

Wow great video. Thank you Michele 😊 x

[@jennifertriesthat]

Thank you for making this video. It was very helpful.

[@josiebrooke8182]

Thank you for this video! I recommend the Soak detergent - it’s great for travel too…to spruce up your delicates etc. I would love a follow up video on how to select quality knitwear m, given your knowledge base. Wool blends, good manufacturers….I’ve seen you review different sleeves for example and how a stitch effects the drape. Thank so much! My cashmere sweaters await ❤

[@TheMicheleWang]

Thanks Josie!

[@barbaran1869]

This is awesome. Thank you. So, what is dry cleaning. I know about dry cleaning just don’t know the whole process. Thank you. ❤

[@annemarietimmerman7213]

Yes, sure enjoyed it, thanks so much for all the tips you gave us, very good video Michele!!!🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩Have a wonderful day!!!!!😘😘😘😘😘😘

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome!

[@jessica_g8719]

So helpful & wonderful. Thank you.

[@lwlw2906]

Oh been waiting waiting for this masterclass!!! Thanks Michele!

[@TheMicheleWang]

thanks for watching!

[@qmanh72]

I hope you will produce some sweaters someday because I trust you to use the best fibers that won't pill. Argh, I should have bought one of your scarves when they were available. But thank you for this informative video!

[@DS-ne7xj]

Wow, thanks so much, I have learned so much!

[@Whtpaper]

Great video - thank you so much for sharing. ❤

[@zhenshan456]

hi Michele, how about silk knit?

[@alexabirdwing]

It's here! This video is so helpful and informative.Thank you so so much Michele! :D

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome!

[@monicabellmakeup]

I learned soooo much from this! Thank you! Brilliant video.

[@TheMicheleWang]

It's my pleasure!

[@subi-dubi]

Thank you ! I store my knits in a plastic container. No success with the moths. Hope you do another round of the eyelet scarf, heading into winter in AUS and I need one.❤

[@lilnoteinthesky]

I often handknit while watching your videos! I had no idea you were a handknit designer

[@filippaolsson2903]

Thank you! This was amazing ❤

[@amandab4725]

Love this! The Laundress (pre Unilever) got me into washing my own knitware. It is a hassle though because I do love my sweaters and knits so I have a lot of pieces. Winter feels like the worst time to wash but that's when I wear these pieces the most. I do feel that they've lasted longer by caring for them this way! Can I ask how often do you like to wash your knits?

[@gsabax]

You're such a genius lady! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome!

[@unsoundmedia]

Thank you for this video. Can you share your favourite knitwear brands? And or favourite yarn brands

[@isabelhoyos9581]

This video was so educational and Thank you Michele 😊

[@TheMicheleWang]

You are welcome!

[@lornahill9092]

Thank you for sharing this information with us! Very educational! Cheers, xox, Lorna

[@scarletm9091]

i binged all your knitting videos and im so happy you released a related video!

[@TheMicheleWang]

Thank you!

[@klarca1]

This was such a great video that I didn’t even know I needed😊

[@sarahpenz3739]

I have been wondering about the MFK detergent. I am glad to hear that you trust it for your knits.

[@TheMicheleWang]

xoxo

[@elenapolshakov3837]

Wow this was an incredible video, so educational! Thank you Michele, it’s so appreciated!

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome!

[@taniaalvarez0807]

Great video Michele! Thank you for sharing!❤

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome!

[@debbiek88]

Thank you for making this video! I’ve been waiting eagerly for it and now have the confidence to wash my MW scarf!! ❤

[@TheMicheleWang]

Thanks Debbie!

[@alicjafic893]

It is very helpful to measure your sweater before the wash, length of the sleeves,length of the whole garment and the width of it so you can reshape it the same way after washing.

[@beimkohlehydrat2455]

when i was a kid this is how my mother washed all our knits (including the burrito method). she also had a drying contraption that spread out and had a kind of netting on it, on this the knitwear would lie, carefully spread out, and dry for however long it took. my skin hates wool so these days all i can do is admire beautiful knit pieces. thank you for the video, most interesting.

[@TheMicheleWang]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ltree05l]

Thank you!! This was very informative 😊

[@TheMicheleWang]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@loriwht]

This was so helpful, thank you! 😊 p.s. I can attest to the quality of your knitwear, my faves 🥰

[@judysmac]

Excellent! Now I need to know where to buy knits and where not to buy knits! Thank you! 💜💜💜

[@ldel6069]

Thank you for such an informative video, the explanation of fiber length and pilling was so helpful! However I have to say learning about no rinse soap has been a revelation!!!

[@TheMicheleWang]

So glad you found it helpful!

[@ladykadiijha]

Thank you!!!!!! U saved my clothes Mishi❤❤

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome!

[@NDiaz-et6hc]

Wow Michele I think you would also include Alpaca and Vicuña wool. I have caused Alpaca sweaters to felt. This is so helpful and fascinating 🎉

[@NDiaz-et6hc]

Michele your rolled burrito is an awesome technique however since ai avoid putting things on the floor I will use towels on a chair. fold in the item and then put more towels on top of the item and then sit on the pile using my weight to squeeze out the water onto the towel. 😊

[@TheMicheleWang]

Yes!! Love that!

[@ginaveytsman9851]

Thank you, so much useful information.

[@TheMicheleWang]

You are welcome! Glad you enjoyed!

[@idak1779]

thank you for the tips! Great video

[@ITFDBLA]

My cashmere sweater has been waiting for this so thank you! 💗

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome!

[@QHuda_A]

This is an amazing video, as someone who more than once shrank the cashmere and wool pieces gifted to me by loved ones. I did not know you are a knitwear designer.

[@mariaisabella7397]

Thank you so much for this video.

[@TheMicheleWang]

Thanks for watching!

[@jkyuix]

Some tips what works for me: If you add 2 spoons hydrogen peroxide solution for 1 litter of water with wool shampoo, you will not have almost no pill after it dry even if it was after wearing,it also helps return back from small size if it was washed wrong before , you need to streach it in water while it soak from time to time horizontal and vertical, you can get up to 2 more sizes if it became smaller. I always wash my wool clothes with adding hydrogen peroxide solution to wool wash, it helps fiber to return in original shape and look, it becomes more fluffy and the fabric looks like new.

[@Jgutin1]

This is interesting- I have a brunello cucinelli cashmere sweater that was very expensive but i have noticed that it never seems to pill. I guess sometimes you really do get what you pay for!

[@YouSayTomato]

Thank you for this! Very insightful and I am about to order the Gleener. I've not come across that lovely little tool before, and it seems a very handy thing to have. I'm also chuffed that I've been washing my delicates and hand washables precisely in the way you recommend 🥰😍💪🏻

[@marionandrews176]

Great video! I didn’t know I can soak my knits for that long.

[@TheMicheleWang]

Glad you liked it!

[@susietunes9318]

Excellent video - so informative. Thankyou Michele 😘

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome!

[@zeynepganz6066]

So informative, thank you! How do you feel about using moth balls to protect fine knits from moths?

[@TheMicheleWang]

I'm not the biggest fan of moth balls. I prefer cedar wood.

[@lindajackson2382]

What about fine knits which are blankets? Like I have a beautiful UGG blanket with tassels.

[@veronicaragaglia3457]

Thos was so educational thank you

[@missmoz99]

Thank you for all the tips and recommendations! For storage, do you recommend cedar chips or anything that is supposed to ward off bugs? I’m always paranoid something will make its way into the storage in the off season and munch its way into my sweaters! 😳

[@TheMicheleWang]

Cedar wood

[@brendaf1033]

So very very helpful. Thank you!

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome!

[@aliciamolloy5948]

Hi Michele thank you so much for this video ❤❤

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome!

[@SuperB719]

I learned so much from this video. Very thorough and helpful.

[@TheMicheleWang]

So glad!

[@ayax5356]

Hi, how is the NAP cashmere cardigan quality compares to all the other brands that you've mentioned?

[@sweetGGbaby]

Thank you for the video! This is so helpful! What if there is a stain? What do you recommend doing if the soaking along doesn’t work?

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome!

[@Kimberly__Klein]

Great video!!!! Thank you. Do you use cedar or anything in the closet to keep away moths???

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome. I would recommend cedar wood for moths.

[@juelclyne7392]

Very informative Michele. Thank you ❤

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome!

[@modestiafashion7943]

Thank you Michele for such a good video! Very helpful. I meant to ask before, can you share again the name of the kit you used to clean/fix leather? That video was so helpful too.

[@victoriagonzales5164]

What about cashmere scarfs from Lv? The seller told me not to wash it which is a pain for me, because this goes around your neck so even if it’s winter I feel I should wash it

[@juliel4096]

Thank you for this! I too buy Nordstrom/NM/Bloomingdale’s cashmere and notice more pilling than a Burberry/Loro Piana piece. But you get what you pay for, and I’m ok with that. I too use the gleaner but the middle “shaver”. Is that tooo harsh? Do you recommend that if you store the items, you put a dryer sheet or a cotton ball soaked in essential oils to keep the critters away? Love learning how to keep our clothes in good shape.

[@AliasBurn]

This was really insightful! Thank you.

[@martasipan1593]

This was wonderful, thank you very much…

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome!

[@tamaradarmandjian2357]

Gucci scarfs do you recommend washing at home with your method

[@CkCmilliemoo]

Thank you Michele ❤

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome!

[@BamaFanMimi]

Thank you! I just ruined a new sweater 🙄 It was beautiful 😕 I won’t do that again. Appreciate the video!

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome! Sorry about the sweater.

[@ananya-zc9xu]

can i keep it under sunlight after the burrito thing?

[@dianamcdonald4861]

This is so helpful! Thanks for the tutorial. Curious about your thoughts on the Jenni Kaye sweaters that you purchased. They are very expensive and I purchased one and it pills almost immediately, which is very disappointing given the price. Would love to hear your experience with them.

[@pure_indulgence8144]

Great video! Super informative and helpful! 💗

[@TheMicheleWang]

Thank you!

[@lisacagestudio]

Such an informative video! Thank you.

[@TheMicheleWang]

You're welcome!

[@juliazhou6677]

Is there anything you can do once a sweater shrinks from the washer to save it? Or is it a goner?

[@TheMicheleWang]

Unfortunately, it's a goner...

[@kaogee1488]

Hi Michele!!! Thank you so much for this video, I only started investing into higher grade clothing like fine knits (bought 2 cashmere sweaters) and it's about time I clean them up since I been wearing them non stop this year. But one question!!! Do you think that washing it would be okay if you were to have hard water to wash and clean the knits considering that you soak it for a long time?

[@sarahkalnajs5810]

This was wonderful and so incredibly helpful! What clothes steamer do you recommend? I have a lot of the Frankie Shop button up cotton shirts and I’m overwhelmed by all the choices on Amazon….would very much appreciate your thoughts! Also, when laying to dry can you place a fan nearby to help air flow or is that too much agitation?

[@imuyteav410]

Please do one video on knits that are made out of animal hair like angora as well. It’s so much harder to take care of as you can’t really shave off the peelings.

[@NDiaz-et6hc]

A question Michele : how beat to avoid moth damage to knits? Thank you 🙏

[@TheMicheleWang]

Cedars are used to keep moths away.

[@raniamohab1129]

Thank very much ❤

[@hagitevenhaim4002]

Hi Michele, I finally watched this video. Great video!! I had one question. What do you do to deter moths? And what do you do if you have moths in your closet?

[@TheMicheleWang]

Cedar is my preferred for deterring moths - amzn.to/3M4Tvdo. But once you have moths you can use sticky traps and if it’s bad you may need an exterminator.