When we designed the first Nudyess collection, we knew one thing: we don't want to sew clothes for just one season. We chose dense, ribbed cotton knitwear precisely because it is inherently durable, as we wrote in more detail in the history of rib knit. But even the best fabric won't protect itself from a tumble dryer and washing at 60°C.
That's why this guide was created. We have gathered everything we have learned over years of working with ribbed knitwear on our own clothes: how to wash a ribbed dress, how to dry it, iron it, store it, and what to do when something goes wrong. This is not a dry care label. It's an instruction manual for a garment meant to stay with you for years.
One sentence before we begin: all the rules in this text apply to cotton knitwear with elastane, which is what we sew at Nudyess. If you have wool or viscose rib knit in your wardrobe, some rules will be different.
Why ribbed knitwear requires different care than regular cotton
A cotton T-shirt made of smooth jersey knit forgives almost everything. Ribbed knitwear does not. This is due to three features that make it unique to wear, but demanding to wash.
First: elastane. Our knitwear is 95% cotton and 5% elastane, a proportion that creates a "second skin" effect and makes the dress shape the silhouette instead of hanging on it. But elastane is a synthetic fiber sensitive to high temperatures and aggressive chemicals. Water above 40°C, a tumble dryer, and chlorine bleaches gradually destroy its structure, and then the knitwear loses what you love it for: its ability to return to shape. You can read more about the composition of our fabrics on the Our Fabrics page.
Second: dense weave and high grammage. We work with knitwear weighing 280–320 g/m², significantly heavier than the chain store standard. Heavy, water-soaked knitwear weighs several times more than dry. That's why the drying method is so important: hung vertically, it stretches under its own weight.
Third: ribbed structure. Vertical ribs are alternating columns of stitches, a construction that works beautifully along the body, but with intense spinning and friction, it can deform and pill in areas of greatest contact.
The good news: none of these features mean complicated care. It just means different care. Specifically, five habits that we describe below.
How to wash ribbed knitwear, step by step
Let's start with the most common question we get in messages: can a ribbed dress be machine washed? Yes, and you don't have to hand wash it if you set your washing machine as described below. Hand washing is an option, not an obligation.
Before washing: 60 seconds that prolong the life of your dress
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Turn the garment inside out. The right side of the knitwear, the one with distinct ribs, is most exposed to friction against the drum and other clothes. Washing inside out protects the texture and color.
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Zip up zippers and fasten hooks and eyes on other clothes in the drum. An open zipper on a neighboring sweatshirt can pull a stitch from knitwear faster than anything else.
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Put the knitwear in a mesh laundry bag. This is the cheapest insurance policy in the world: a few zlotys, and it protects against snagging, friction, and deformation. We especially recommend it for washing bodysuits and tops with thin straps.
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Wash similar colors together. Darks with darks, lights with lights. Our knitwear is dyed with certified dyes, but the rule "blacks separately for the first two washes" applies to any new fabric.
Washing machine settings: temperature, spin speed, program
Temperature: maximum 30°C. This is the most important single rule in this guide. Cotton shrinks at higher temperatures, and elastane loses elasticity. 30°C combined with a good detergent works perfectly for everyday dirt; a higher temperature is simply unnecessary.
Spin speed: maximum 600 rpm. Intense spinning (1000–1400 rpm) is the most common cause of knitwear deformation, twisting fibers, creasing ribs, and straining seams. 400–600 rpm removes enough water, and a towel will do the rest (more on that in a moment).
Program: delicate / knitwear / wool. This refers to lower drum rotation intensity during washing itself, not just spinning. If your washing machine has a "hand wash" program, it's ideal.
Detergent: what to wash with and what to avoid
Use gentle liquid detergents, preferably those designed for delicate or colored fabrics. Mild baby detergents that do not contain aggressive enzymes or optical brighteners also work well.
Avoid washing powders. Undissolved powder particles settle in the dense rib weave and act like micro-sandpaper, accelerating pilling.
Avoid liquids for white clothes and bleaches. They contain optical brighteners and chlorine compounds that damage elastane and change the shade of dyed knitwear, especially noticeable on nude, ecru, and tan colors.
Be careful with fabric softener. This is advice you rarely find on labels, and it's hugely important: fabric softeners coat elastane fibers with a layer of substance that, over time, reduces the elasticity of the knitwear. If you can't do without it, use half the dose every other wash. In our opinion: 95% cotton knitwear is naturally soft and simply doesn't need softener.
How often to wash ribbed knitwear
Less often than you think. Cotton is a breathable and self-refreshing fiber; after one day of wear, a dress usually needs airing, not washing. Hang it overnight in a well-ventilated area (this is the only time a hanger is okay; dry knitwear won't stretch for several hours), and in the morning, it will be ready to wear again. Every wash is micro-wear on the fabric; the fewer washes, the longer the life of the garment. This is one of the quiet rules of slow fashion: care begins not in the washing machine, but before it.
Drying: the most common mistake, and how to avoid it
If you only remember two things from this guide, let them be: washing at 30°C and drying flat.
Why flat, and not on a hanger or line? Let's go back to physics: our knitwear weighs 280–320 g/m² when dry. Wet, it weighs two to three times more. A midi dress hung vertically is a kilogram of fabric pulling down for several hours. The result: stretched straps, elongated hem, deformed ribs. Gravity is patient, and always wins with wet knitwear.
Correct drying looks like this:
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After removing from the washing machine, do not wring the knitwear. Twisting deforms the weave. Instead, lay the garment flat on a clean, dry towel, roll the towel up, and gently press; the towel will absorb most of the water.
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Lay the garment flat on a drying rack (or on a second, dry towel). Gently shape it with your hands: even out the ribs, adjust the straps, straighten the hem. The knitwear will remember the shape in which it dried.
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Dry away from radiators and direct sunlight. High localized heat shrinks cotton unevenly, and UV fades colors. Ideal place: a well-ventilated room, room temperature.
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Never use a tumble dryer. Not even once, not "for a short time," not "on cold with care." The combination of heat and tumbling is the fastest way to shrink cotton and kill elastane. One session in the dryer can take a dress down a size.
How long does it take? Dense knitwear dries flat for 12–24 hours, depending on air humidity. Yes, that's longer than on a line. It's also the only true "cost" of owning a garment that will last for years, and we believe it's a good trade-off.
Ironing and refreshing
Good news: ribbed knitwear washed and dried according to the above rules barely needs ironing. The rib knit naturally doesn't wrinkle; that's one of its quiet superpowers and why rib knit is an ideal travel companion.
However, if you need to smooth the knitwear:
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Iron inside out, at a low temperature (up to 110°C, single dot symbol). Higher temperatures melt elastane, and melted elastane is irreversible damage, visible as shiny marks on the fabric.
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Do not stretch the knitwear with the iron. Guide the iron lightly, without pressing, knitwear ironed "with force" loses its ribbed texture.
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Best option: steam instead of ironing. A steamer (or an iron held 2–3 cm above the fabric, vertically) smooths knitwear without contact and without risk. Steam also works great for refreshing clothes between washes.
Storage: fold, don't hang
The drying rule also applies to the wardrobe: knitwear stored on a hanger stretches under its own weight, slowly, week after week, until one day you notice stretched shoulders and an elongated front. Therefore:
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Fold dresses, tops, skirts, and bodysuits on a shelf or in a drawer. Fold along the ribs, in two or three movements, without sharp creases.
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If you absolutely want to hang them (e.g., in a travel wardrobe), drape the dress over the hanger bar in half, like trousers; the weight is then distributed evenly and nothing pulls on the straps.
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Give the knitwear room to breathe. Crammed tightly in a drawer, it wrinkles in random places. Cotton likes space and a dry, airy wardrobe interior.
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For longer storage (e.g., summer dresses for winter), wash the garment before putting it away. Invisible dirt and sebum set over time and attract moths.
Pilling: where it comes from and how to deal with it
Let's put it plainly, because we prefer honesty to marketing: all knitwear made from natural fibers can gently pill over time, most often in areas of friction: under the arms, on the sides (where a handbag rubs), and at waist level (belt, desk surface). This is not a product defect, but a natural characteristic of cotton: shorter fibers slip out of the weave and form small balls.
How to minimize pilling? Three habits: wash inside out in a laundry bag (less friction), avoid powders (particles accelerate the process), and don't wear rough crossbody bags on a knit dress day after day.
And when pills do appear? A fabric shaver (electric, costs a few dozen zlotys) removes them in minutes and restores the knitwear to a like-new appearance. Guide it lightly, along the ribs, on a flat surface. We advise against razors and scissors, as it's easy to cut a stitch.
Emergency rescue: stretched, shrunk, permeated with odor
The knitwear has stretched, what to do?
First, the good news: knitwear with 5% elastane has shape memory, and most stretching reverses itself after washing according to this guide. If the dress has stretched locally (knees in a pencil skirt, elbows in sleeves), wash it at 30°C, and while drying it flat, gently press the stretched parts with your hands into the correct shape. The knitwear will "reset" during drying.
The knitwear has shrunk, can it be saved?
The natural shrinkage of cotton after the first wash is normal; therefore, we design our clothes with this allowance in mind, and the knitwear returns to its shape on the body within a dozen minutes of wearing. However, if the garment has shrunk more significantly (e.g., after accidental washing at high temperature): soak it in lukewarm water with a little hair conditioner or gentle shampoo for 30 minutes, which loosens the fibers, and then, while drying flat, carefully stretch the knitwear to the desired dimensions, being careful with the seams. This method does not always reverse shrinkage by one hundred percent, but it often saves the situation.
Odor that doesn't disappear after airing
Smoke, cooking smells, strong perfumes? Before throwing the dress in the washing machine, try two gentler methods: hang it overnight in the bathroom after a hot shower (steam neutralizes odors) or fold it into a sealed bag and place it in the freezer overnight; low temperatures kill odor-causing bacteria. Both methods spare the fabric a full wash cycle.
Stains: act locally
Treat fresh stains locally: a small amount of gentle liquid detergent on the damp fabric, gentle patting (not rubbing!) with fingertips, rinse with lukewarm water. Only if that doesn't help, a full wash. Avoid chlorine-based stain removers and high temperatures, which set protein stains.
Rib knit on a trip: why it's the best suitcase companion
A short bonus section, because you often ask about this. Rib knit fabric is almost wrinkle-free; you can roll a dress into a cube, transport it at the bottom of your suitcase, and after unpacking, hang it for 20 minutes in a steamy bathroom. It will look freshly ironed. This is one of the reasons why, in our guide to a ribbed capsule wardrobe, we call it a fabric that "replaces five others in a suitcase." Practical advice: when traveling, roll, don't fold; rolling along the ribs leaves no creases and saves space. You can find full packing instructions and a specific set of three dresses for a week-long trip in the ribbed travel capsule guide.
Care as a philosophy, not an obligation
At Nudyess, we believe that the relationship with clothing doesn't end at the checkout. We sew in Poland, using almost 100% natural, certified knitwear, in two sizes instead of ten, because we want you to buy less, but better. Care is the last link in this philosophy: a garment you care for doesn't become waste after a season. Every wash at 30°C instead of 60°C also means a smaller energy footprint, and every year of a dress's life means one less dress produced and discarded. You can read more about why we think this way about fashion in our brand philosophy.
That's why we include care instructions with every order, and this guide is its extended, complete version. Print it, save it, send it to a friend whose favorite dress just shrunk. The knitwear will repay you with years of wear.
Cheat sheet: ribbed knitwear care in 10 rules
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Wash inside out, in a mesh laundry bag.
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Maximum 30°C, delicate cycle.
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Spin up to 600 rpm.
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Gentle liquid detergent, never powder, bleach, or white-fabric detergent.
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Fabric softener: preferably none.
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Dry flat, away from radiators and sunlight.
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Tumble dry: never.
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Iron inside out up to 110°C, or use steam.
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Store folded on a shelf, not on a hanger.
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Wash less, air more.
Frequently asked questions about ribbed knitwear care
Can a ribbed dress be machine washed?
Yes. A delicate cycle, up to 30°C, spin speed up to 600 rpm, washing inside out, and a gentle liquid detergent are sufficient. Hand washing is also a good option, but not necessary.
Does cotton knitwear shrink when washed?
Cotton has natural shrinkage, but when washed according to recommendations (30°C, no tumble dryer), it is minimal and the knitwear returns to its shape on the body. Severe shrinkage is caused by high washing temperatures and tumble drying — and this type of shrinkage can be irreversible. We design our clothes taking into account this natural fabric behavior. You can read exactly how our sizing system works in the guide to choosing the size and style of a ribbed dress.
Can fabric softener be used for knitwear with elastane?
We advise against it. Fabric softeners build up on elastane fibers and, over time, reduce the elasticity of the knitwear, which is precisely the feature that allows the dress to sculpt the figure. Knitwear with 95% cotton is soft without softener.
How to dry a ribbed dress so it doesn't stretch?
Exclusively flat, spread out on a drying rack or towel, in its intended shape, away from heat sources. Wet knitwear hung vertically stretches under its own weight. Tumble drying is completely excluded.
What to do if the knitwear pills?
Gentle pilling in areas of friction is a natural characteristic of cotton, not a defect. You can remove the pills in a few minutes with an electric fabric shaver, gently guiding it along the ribs. Preventively: wash in a mesh bag, inside out, with liquid detergent instead of powder.
How often should ribbed clothes be washed?
Less often than habit suggests. After one day of wear, airing it overnight is usually enough. Washing after every wear unnecessarily wears out the fabric and wastes water. Wash only when the garment truly needs it.
Can ribbed knitwear be ironed?
It can, although it rarely needs to be, as the ribbed knit almost doesn't wrinkle. If you iron: do so inside out, up to 110°C (one dot), without stretching. A safer alternative is steam, a steamer, or holding the iron above the fabric.
Does Nudyess knitwear require special treatment?
Not special, just conscious. Our knitwear (95% cotton, 5% elastane, 280–320 g/m²) is designed for many years of wear, and with the care described in this guide, it retains its shape, color, and elasticity for years. See the collection of ribbed dresses or browse all ribbed clothing; each product has a summary of care principles on its page.
Your dress will repay you for years
Knitwear care consists of five habits that become automatic after two washes: inside out, 30°C, low spin, flat drying, folding instead of hanging. In return, you get a garment that will look the same three years from now as it does today, and you won't need to replace it. This is how we understand slow fashion: not as a slogan, but as a daily practice. It starts with choosing a good fabric and continues in your washing machine. If you have a care question that you didn't find in this guide, write to us; we will gladly advise you and update this text. And if you are just getting to know ribbed knitwear, start with the history of the knit that came back from the 90s; you will understand why it's worth taking care of it.
