How to Care for Knitted Shorts to Keep Their Shape

By Konges Sløjd | Official Brandsite and Online store – Konges ... | Published: 2026-10-28

Category: How-to Guides

Learn the best way to wash and store your baby's knitted shorts so they stay soft, stretchy, and beautifully shaped wash after wash.

Quick answer

Hand-wash your knitted shorts in cool water with a gentle wool detergent, then lay them flat to dry. This prevents stretching and keeps the fabric soft and structured.

Why knitted shorts need special care

Knitted baby shorts, especially those made from cashmere-wool blends, are naturally delicate. The looped construction that makes them soft and stretchy can also cause them to lose shape if washed roughly or dried hanging. Heat, agitation, and gravity are the main culprits.

The exception: machine-washable knits

If your shorts have a care label that says machine-washable, you can use a mesh laundry bag and a cold, gentle cycle. But even then, skip the dryer and always lay flat to dry. The Rosier Shorts, for example, are made of a cashmere-wool-cotton blend that benefits from hand washing to preserve the embroidered details.

Step-by-step care guide

Step 1: Prepare the wash bath: Fill a basin with cool or lukewarm water (max 30°C / 86°F) and add a small amount of wool or delicate detergent. Swirl to dissolve. Hot water shrinks wool. Always use cool water.
Step 2: Submerge and gently press: Turn the shorts inside out and submerge them fully. Gently press the fabric to let the water soak through. Do not rub, wring, or twist. Rubbing causes felting and pilling. Press, don't scrub.
Step 3: Rinse with the same temperature water: Drain the soapy water and refill with fresh cool water. Press the shorts to remove soap, repeating until no suds remain. A temperature change can shock the fibers and cause shrinkage.
Step 4: Remove excess water without wringing: Lay the damp shorts on a clean, dry towel. Roll the towel up and press gently to absorb moisture. Unroll and remove the shorts. Wringing stretches the knit out of shape permanently.
Step 5: Lay flat to dry: Place the shorts on a drying rack or a fresh towel, reshaping them to their original dimensions. Keep away from direct heat and sunlight. Never hang knitted shorts — gravity will stretch the waistband and legs.
Step 6: Store folded, not hung: Once completely dry, fold the shorts and store them in a drawer or on a shelf. Avoid hanging them on a hanger. Hanging creates unwanted bumps and stretching over time.

Product facts

ROSIER SHORTS - off white: Knitted shorts with embroidered roses and frill details. Finished in an exceptionally soft cashmere, wool, and cotton blend. The delicate embroidery and frills can snag in a machine wash, so hand washing is recommended to keep the details intact.
ROSIER SHORTS - off white