Yarn Care

You can always find specific washing instructions for each yarn type in the labels and in each online shade card (under the Care tab).

Find below some extra tips for the most popular yarn fibers, which will help you keep your garments in good condition.

General Yarn Care Tips

Wash garments using plenty of water, and if possible, separately. Never let the garment soak.
Wash dark colours separately. Dark colours often contain an excess of dye, so it's important to make sure the garment is rinsed until the water is clear, to avoid the excess dye affecting other colours in the garment.
Only use detergents that are made specifically for washing wool and other fine fibers, or a PH-neutral, dye free detergent.
Always shape the garment, and lay it flat to dry. Never dry the garment in direct sunlight.
Never put heavy dripping wet clothes to dry. Avoid drying garments on a surface that absorbs moisture, such as terry towels. In both cases, the garment can be discolored or lose its natural elasticity.
Please note that garments knitted with special "heavy" techniques can grow in use or in the wash.

Alpaca, mohair, silk and untreated wool:

Hand wash 30ºC (cold).
Dissolve detergent completely before adding the garment.
Move garment gently, don’t rub!
Rinse thoroughly.

Cotton, linen and mixed qualities:

Always machine wash at 40ºC or 60ºC depending on the instructions on the label. If washed at a wrong/lower temperature, colours may run. If this happens, wash again at the right temperature, i.e. according to the label. It is very important to adhere to the right temperature.
Don’t use too much fabric conditioner.
Use washing programs with plenty of rinsing time.
Cotton has the tendency to shrink in the wash, so make sure you measure the garment before washing, in order to shape it correctly after the wash.
Don’t tumble dry.

Superwash treated wool:

Superwash treated wool should be washed in machine, using the wool / gentle cycle program.
Don’t use fabric conditioner.

Merino wool:

DROPS Baby Merino, Big Merino and Merino Extra Fine are a Superwash treated yarns, which means they should be washed in the machine, using a gentle cycle program. That being said, there are a few more tips that are extremely relevant when it comes to caring for these yarns:

Follow the washing instructions provided on the yarn label and in the shade card for the yarn.
Wash merino wool in a 40 degrees / gentle cycle program.
Wash separately, using lots of water.
Use a small amount of wool detergent (without enzymes and optical brighteners).
NEVER use fabric softener (the wool fibers become too soft and can slide apart).
NEVER leave to soak!
NEVER leave garments wet in the washing machine for a long period of time!
NEVER hang to dry, instead dry the garments shaped on a flat surface.

Wool and silk:

In general, unless a yarn is Superwash treated, we discourage the use of washing machine, since even the wool program can make garments lose their shape and in the worst cases lead to shrinking. Qualities that include silk could also lose colour.
Spin garments lightly in a pillowcase, or roll them into a towel and press out the moisture.
Never use a dryer for wool, the garment will shrink!
Unevenness in the garment will even out after wash or light steam ironing.
Remember to never put pressure o the garment neither in wet or dry conditions. Never steam iron on parts that are knitted in structures like cables. Never use iron or put press on Silk.
When steaming, use preferably a steam iron, or a regular iron and a damp cloth placed between the iron and garment. Note! The garment should never be press directly!

Always keep the yarn labels – they are your warranty! In order for us to deal with any complaints in an orderly manner, we need the labels as well as the knitted garment.

Comparative Care Table

DROPS ♥ You #9	A	100% Cotton	Machine wash on gentle cycle 40°C / Dry Flat
DROPS ♥ You #8	C	100% Cotton	Machine wash on gentle cycle 40°C / Dry Flat
DROPS ♥ You #7	A	100% Cotton	Machine wash on gentle cycle 40°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Air	C	65% Alpaca, 28% Polyamide, 7% Wool	Hand Wash, max 30°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Alaska	C	100% Wool	Hand Wash, max 30°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Alpaca	A	100% Alpaca	Hand Wash, max 30°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Alpaca Bouclé	C	80% Alpaca, 15% Wool, 5% Polyamide	Hand Wash, max 30°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Andes	E	65% Wool, 35% Alpaca	Hand Wash, max 30°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Baby Merino	A	100% Wool	Machine wash on gentle cycle 40°C / Don’t use fabric softener / Dry Flat
DROPS BabyAlpaca Silk	A	70% Alpaca, 30% Silk	Hand Wash, max 30°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Belle	B	53% Cotton, 33% Viscose, 14% Linen	Machine wash on gentle cycle 30°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Big Delight	C	100% Wool	Hand Wash, max 30°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Big Merino	C	100% Wool	Machine wash on gentle cycle 40°C / Don’t use fabric softener / Dry Flat
DROPS Bomull-Lin	C	53% Cotton, 47% Linen	Machine wash on gentle cycle 40°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk	C	77% Alpaca, 23% Silk	Hand Wash, max 30°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Cotton Light	B	50% Cotton, 50% Polyester	Machine wash on gentle cycle 40°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Cotton Merino	B	50% Wool, 50% Cotton	Machine wash on gentle cycle 40°C / Don’t use fabric softener / Dry Flat
DROPS Delight	A	75% Wool, 25% Polyamide	Machine wash on gentle cycle 40°C / Don’t use fabric softener / Dry Flat
DROPS Eskimo	E	100% Wool	Hand Wash, max 30°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Fabel	A	75% Wool, 25% Polyamide	Machine wash on gentle cycle 40°C / Don’t use fabric softener / Dry Flat
DROPS Flora	A	65% Wool, 35% Alpaca	Hand Wash, max 30°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Glitter		60% Cupro, 40% Metal	Hand Wash, max 30°C
DROPS Karisma	B	100% Wool	Machine wash on gentle cycle 40°C / Don’t use fabric softener / Dry Flat
DROPS Kid-Silk	A	75% Mohair, 25% Silk	Hand Wash, max 30°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Lima	B	65% Wool, 35% Alpaca	Hand Wash, max 30°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Melody	D	71% Alpaca, 25% Wool, 4% Polyamide	Hand Wash, max 30°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Merino Extra Fine	B	100% Wool	Machine wash on gentle cycle 40°C / Don’t use fabric softener / Dry Flat
DROPS Muskat	B	100% Cotton	Machine wash on gentle cycle 40°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Nepal	C	65% Wool, 35% Alpaca	Hand Wash, max 30°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Nord	A	45% Alpaca, 30% Polyamide, 25% Wool	Hand Wash, max 30°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Paris	C	100% Cotton	Machine wash 60°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Polaris	F	100% Wool	Hand Wash, max 30°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Puna	B	100% Alpaca	Hand Wash, cold max 30°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Safran	A	100% Cotton	Machine wash on gentle cycle 40°C / Dry Flat
DROPS Sky	B	74% Alpaca, 18% Polyamide, 8% Wool	Hand Wash, max 30°C / Dry Flat