Quick answer

Wash knitwear inside out in cold water on a delicate cycle, or hand wash, then dry flat on a towel away from heat. Never hang a wet cardigan, because the weight of the water pulls the knit out of shape. For pilling, use a fabric shaver or sweater comb gently on dry fabric, and store folded rather than hung.

Knitwear fails in two predictable ways: pills form where the fabric rubs, and the garment stretches where gravity and water pull it. Both are avoidable once you know which habits cause them.

This guide walks through a repeatable routine for cardigans and other knits. It covers washing, drying, de-pilling, and storage, with the mistakes that quietly ruin shape and texture.

Why cardigans pill and stretch

Pilling happens when short fibers work loose from the yarn and tangle into small balls. Friction is the trigger, so underarm areas, cuffs, and anywhere a bag strap rubs will pill first. Stretching is a different problem: wet knit is heavy and weak, so hanging a damp cardigan lets gravity pull the shoulders and hem longer.

The fix is not one product but a routine. Reduce friction, keep water cool, support the garment flat while it dries, and give it rest between wears. That combination protects the fibers and the shape at the same time.

  • Rotate cardigans so each one has a day to recover between wears.
  • Turn the garment inside out before washing to reduce surface friction.
  • Check the care label first; if it says dry clean only, follow that.

Washing without wrecking the knit

Use cold water and a gentle detergent, and skip fabric softener, which coats fibers and can make them more likely to mat. If you machine wash, choose the delicate cycle and place the cardigan in a mesh laundry bag. If you hand wash, support the garment with both hands and squeeze rather than wring.

Wash less often than you think. A cardigan worn over a base layer usually needs airing, not a full wash. Spot-clean small marks with a damp cloth and mild soap before committing the whole garment to water.

  • Never bleach or use hot water on wool or cashmere blends.
  • Measure the cardigan before the first wash so you can check the fit after.

Drying flat, every time

Lay the cardigan flat on a clean towel, reshape it to its original measurements, and let it air dry away from radiators and direct sun. If the knit is heavy, roll the towel to press out excess water first, then move the garment to a dry towel. This keeps the shoulders and hem from sagging.

Hanging a wet cardigan is the single most common cause of a stretched neckline and elongated sleeves. If you must move it while damp, slide a hand under the whole garment rather than lifting it by the shoulders.

  • Dry away from heat, which can shrink or stiffen natural fibers.
  • Turn the garment periodically so the underside dries evenly.

De-pilling and refreshing

Pills are easiest to remove when the fabric is completely dry. Lay the cardigan flat and run a fabric shaver or sweater comb lightly over the surface in one direction. Pressing hard or going back and forth can pull more fibers loose and create new pills.

Between washes, steam the cardigan to relax wrinkles and refresh the fibers. A handheld steamer works well; hold it a few inches away and let the steam do the work instead of pressing the fabric.

  • Test the shaver on an inside hem first.
  • Use a lint roller for loose fibers, not for deep pills.

Storing cardigans so they hold their shape

Fold cardigans and stack them in a drawer or on a shelf. Hanging puts constant stress on the shoulders and causes the knit to grow, even when the garment is dry. If shelf space is tight, fold the cardigan in thirds and store it flat rather than draping it over a hanger bar.

For long-term storage, clean the garment first, because moths are drawn to soil and food residue. Use a breathable cotton bag rather than sealed plastic, and add cedar or lavender if moths are a problem in your area.

  • Store folded, not hung, to prevent shoulder stretch.
  • Keep knits out of damp basements and direct sunlight.

The cardigan care routine, step by step

  1. 1. Read the label and check the fiber: Confirm whether the cardigan is wool, cashmere, cotton, or a blend, and follow any dry-clean instruction. Wool and cashmere need cold water and minimal agitation; cotton can handle a gentle machine cycle. Checkpoint: if the label says dry clean only, stop here and take it to a cleaner.
  2. 2. Air and spot-clean before washing: Hang the cardigan in a ventilated space for a few hours to release odors. Treat small marks with a damp cloth and mild soap instead of washing the whole garment. Mistake to avoid: washing after every wear, which speeds up pilling and fading.
  3. 3. Wash cold and inside out: Turn the cardigan inside out, place it in a mesh bag, and use cold water on a delicate cycle with gentle detergent. Skip fabric softener. Hand wash if the knit is fine or heavily embellished. Checkpoint: the water should feel cool, never warm.
  4. 4. Remove water without wringing: Press the cardigan between your palms or roll it in a towel to absorb excess water. Never twist or wring the knit, which distorts the fibers. Mistake to avoid: lifting a soaked cardigan by the shoulders.
  5. 5. Dry flat and reshape: Lay the cardigan on a dry towel, smooth it back to its original measurements, and let it air dry away from heat and sun. Turn it once so both sides dry evenly. Checkpoint: compare the dried cardigan to your pre-wash measurements.
  6. 6. De-pill only when fully dry: Use a fabric shaver or sweater comb lightly over pills, working in one direction. Avoid pressing hard or going over buttons, pearls, and shell embellishments. Mistake to avoid: de-pilling damp fabric, which pulls new fibers loose.
  7. 7. Store folded, not hung: Fold the cardigan and stack it in a drawer or on a shelf. For seasonal storage, clean it first and place it in a breathable cotton bag with cedar or lavender. Next step: rotate cardigans between wears so each one recovers its shape.

Knitwear care in practice

  • MAIA CARDIGAN: Pearls are woven throughout the crochet construction, while hand-stitched shell embellishments and mother-of-pearl buttons add depth and ornamentation. Embellished knits need gentler handling: turn the cardigan inside out, use a mesh bag, and avoid fabric shavers directly over pearls or shells so the trim stays secure.
  • DAYDREAM TROUSER: Crafted from soft, OEKO-TEX certified cotton jersey in a relaxed wide-leg silhouette, finished with a vintage-inspired lace waistband and pearl button detailing. Cotton jersey is more forgiving in the wash than wool, but the lace waistband and pearl buttons still call for cold water and flat drying to protect the trim.

Knitwear care comes down to a few consistent habits: cold water, flat drying, gentle de-pilling, and folded storage. Follow those and a cardigan keeps its shape and surface far longer than one that is washed hot and hung wet.