INTERNATIONAL SWEATER AND KNIT CARE IDENTIFICATION AND USE In recent years, sweaters and knit garments have become a large part of consumers’ wardrobes. Sweaters don’t just keep you warm in the winter, they also add a light, casual attitude to summer dressing. Sweaters and knits are made from a variety of fiber types, from cotton to wool, and in many constructions, from the simple jersey knit to complex novelty knits. Knit fabrics can be easily identified by their looped construction. Once a knit garment has been identified, it should be handled with care according to its care label to preserve its appearance. PROBLEMS AND RESPONSIBILITY Sweaters and knit garments, depending on their fiber type, are susceptible to various problems including stretching, shrinkage, pulls, and pilling both from use and cleaning. Therefore, it is important to check the garment at the counter for any damage that could worsen with cleaning. In addition, consumers should be made aware that knit items will naturally stretch during wear or from their own weight while hanging. The garment will then draw up in cleaning giving the appearance of shrinkage. When cleaning those garments that are susceptible to various types of distortion, such as acrylic knits, chenille, and loose knits, extra care should be take to prevent the damage. The garments should be turned inside out and placed in a knit bag during the cleaning and tumble drying cycles. Damage such as stretching of knits is the responsibility of the cleaner, if the care label is not followed exactly and precautions are not taken. STAIN REMOVAL • • • Pre-test all stain removal agents in an unexposed area of the garment before attempting stain removal. When using wetside agents, keep the steam gun at least four inches away from the fabric to prevent distortion. The fabric should be allowed to dry completely before drycleaning to prevent redeposition of soils or color loss. • • FABRICARE INSTITUTE BULLETIN Do not use alkaline products such as ammonia or bleaches on wool or silk knit garments. These stain removal agents can cause permanent yellowing and deterioration of the fibers. Tamping should be kept to a minimum on fine gauge and low twist knits to prevent pilling of the surface fibers. It is best to use a brush covered with cheesecloth, a handkerchief, or a brush with no bristles. DRYCLEANING When knits and sweaters are drycleaned, make sure all zippers are closed and bottom buttons are fastened. Acrylic, wool, and silk knits and sweaters, as well as loose and soft knit garments, should be placed in a knit bag during drycleaning and tumble drying. Classify items according to color, fiber type, and construction. Clean items on a short cycle with no added moisture and dry on a cool cycle. Tumble drying temperatures should not exceed 120°F. After drying, turn the garment right side out, fold sleeves underneath the body, and hang over the bar of a hanger. Do not hang sweaters from the shoulders since the weight of the sweater can cause it to stretch while hanging. WETCLEANING Washing instructions on knit garments and sweaters should be followed exactly to prevent shrinkage and stretching. Care labels that provide handwashing instructions should be done as follows: use one teaspoon of neutral detergent per gallon of 100°F water in a tub or bucket. Gently move garment through water to remove soil. Hold entire garment in hands to avoid stretching, squeeze out excess water, submerge in clear water to rinse, and again squeeze out excess moisture. Extract for one to two minutes. Lay flat to air dry. FINISHING • • • • Use conventional equipment when finishing knits and sweaters. Never lock the head of a press down on a knit item. Fold the garment over the bar of a hanger. Use very little steam on acrylics to avoid stretching. ❒ Written by Lisa Crisafulli, IFI Analyst. © International Fabricare Institute, 1995. Printed in the United States. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission from the publisher. NO. 440 FF—440 September 1995 FASHIONS IFI BULLETIN — FABRICS & FASHIONS & FABRICS