Warm, comfortable, soft, stylish. Premium knitwear is meant to feel luxurious to wear. A staple of your winter wardrobe, these classic pieces are an essential investment. To keep them looking and feeling great season after season, here’s our expert guide on how to care for your knitwear.
How to Wash Knitwear
Our knitwear is made using the highest-quality yarn and expert craftsmanship. Pure Merino wool is a staple in our collection and offers a ton of benefits. Unlike many synthetic yarns, Merino is super soft and durable while maintaining excellent breathability. It will keep you feeling comfortable all day long. Of course, if you want your knitwear to take care of you, you’ll need to take care of it.
Washing your knitwear correctly is essential to its longevity. Too many people throw their knitwear in the wash only to have it come out ruined. Thankfully, washing your knitwear correctly isn’t hard. All you need to do is follow these simple guidelines.
How to Hand Wash Knitwear
Hand washing your knitwear is a great way to ensure its longevity. Just fill the sink with cold water, add some wool wash or gentle detergent, and start washing gently. Avoid hard scrubbing and rubbing, which can cause surface wear and pilling, and instead, lightly dunk your knitwear and slowly swirl it around. Rinse with clean water before drying.
How to Machine Wash Knitwear
Don’t have the time to hand wash your knitwear? We’ve got your back. Many of our knitwear pieces can be machine washed. All you need to do is keep things gentle. That means choosing a cold, gentle wash on a wool or delicate cycle that won’t spin too quickly. Be sure to trade your regular detergent for an approved wool detergent that’ll treat your knits right. Placing your knitwear in a laundry/wash bag will also help reduce any agitation of the fibres and, in turn, reduce surface wear and pilling.
How Often Should You Wash Knitwear?
Washing wool jumpers and knitwear items unnecessarily is a fast way to create surface wear and affect their longevity. So before you put anything in the laundry basket, ask yourself if it really needs to be washed. Chances are, if you’ve only worn it once or twice, it can be put away for another wear. Of course, if there are any dirty marks or smells, be sure to give it a wash as soon as possible.
How to Dry Knitwear
The drying process is integral to maintaining the shape and integrity of your knits. After washing your knitwear, don’t be tempted to wring out excess water. Doing so may stretch and warp the fibres. Instead, try gently squeezing out the excess water before laying your garment flat on top of a towel. Then, roll up the towel and garment together and gently squeeze again.
Once the excess water has been removed, gently ease your knit back into shape. This shouldn’t be difficult as the yarn will be pliable when wet. You can then put your knit on a drying rack. But remember, instead of being hung to dry, knitwear should always be lay flat. Doing so will help prevent any stretching from occurring.
Also, while you may be tempted to place your knitwear near the heater to dry faster, refrain yourself. Heat can damage the fibres and cause wool to shrink, bringing on the demise of a favourite item. A shrunken jumper is never a good look.
How to Store Knitwear
Have you ever headed to your wardrobe and picked up your favourite sweater only to find it damaged? If the answer is yes, you may have a storage problem. Storing your knitwear correctly is crucial to maintaining its shape, integrity, and appearance.
Storing Knitwear in a Drawer
To keep your knitwear looking fresh and in-shape year after year, we recommend storing it in a drawer or cupboard. By keeping your sweaters and cardigans in a cool, dark place away from direct light, you will be able to keep them looking great for years to come. Just remember to fold them neatly and avoid overcrowding the drawer.
Hanging Knitwear
Hanging your knitwear (especially those heavy, chunky knits) can cause stretching, particularly at the shoulders. It’s best to fold and store them in a drawer instead. However, if you need to hang your knitwear, you can do so carefully. Simply stick to only hanging your lightest weight knits and be sure to use high-quality wooden hangers. Alternatively, fold your knitwear in half and hang them over the hanger.
Preventing Moths
Moths. Moths can eat away at your knitwear like they’re dining at a buffet. They have good taste too, just like you. Cashmere, wool, silk, shearling, cotton. These natural fibres are some of their favourites.
How to Prevent Pilling
While synthetic materials generally pill the most, wool is one natural fibre that can also develop these tiny balls. By choosing high-quality yarns, you can easily reduce the amount of pilling experienced. Merino wool makes a particularly good choice. A sheep’s wool, Merino boasts soft, elastic fibres that are long and don’t pill easily.
Monthly Archives: September 2020
Thyme Essential Oil Benefits and Uses
Thyme vs. White Thyme Essential Oil?
Thyme oil and white thyme oil are steam distilled from the same herb, Thymus vulgaris. The first collection of concentrated oil is sometimes called red thyme and is a much more potent form of the phenols that give thyme its medicinal properties. This oil is generally used for topical applications, in very small amounts.
White thyme is a further distillation of red thyme oil and is lighter in color. Both oils contain the same properties and constituents, but white thyme is a little weaker. It has a milder fragrance and a lighter color as well.
- Treat Infections
Minor cuts and abrasions are just a part of life, whether you are preparing dinner or just happen to take a fall. However, breaks in the skin are opportunities for germs to enter your body. This can cause redness and swelling, along with further pain from the injury. It can also slow healing time if allowed to fester untreated. Thyme oil has been shown to be effective against many common types of bacteria, from those which are commonly found on the skin to those caused by food.
Add 1-2 drops of thyme oil to a carrier oil to apply directly to a cut or to drop onto a sterile bandage. This will help prevent infection and aid in healing time. - Oral Care
Before the advent of modern dentistry, people relied on natural treatments to keep their teeth and mouth healthy. Essential oils have even been used to prevent infections after a tooth is removed. Thyme is used in many oral care products such as mouthwashes and kinds of toothpaste due to its proven ability to prevent infections and impede the growth of fungus like yeast and prevent conditions like oral thrush. It also has painkilling properties that can help manage overall oral or facial pain that originates in the mouth or jaw.
Add thyme oil to warm water and swish daily to prevent the growth of bacteria on your teeth. Remember to spit out the mixture rather than swallow. - Anti-Parasitic
Parasites are organisms that live inside another organism, often causing a decline in health by using needed nutrients or spreading infectious diseases. Thousands of people and animals around the world are affected by parasitic infections like malaria and hookworm. Thyme essential oil has been proven to impede the growth of the parasite, which causes malaria as well as the hookworm in cattle that causes a high mortality rate. This is especially important in countries without access to most modern medicines and prevents the spread of infected meat. - Ease Respiratory Distress
There are many different types of respiratory conditions, from bacterial infections such as pneumonia to chronic ailments like asthma and even cough caused by the common cold. These conditions are accompanied by bouts of coughing, sneezing, and overproduction of mucus that can make it hard to breathe. Thyme essential oil is a proven antispasmodic, which means that it can soothe coughing and even loosen phlegm to produce more productive coughs. Being antimicrobial, it may even help prescription medicines clear infections faster, allowing you to heal sooner.
Diffuse thyme oil throughout the house while you have a cough to help it enter your lungs and ease the symptoms of respiratory distress. It may also kill any molds or bacteria in the air, preventing further complications. - Protect Brain Function
As we age, our brain function begins to be affected, resulting in poor memory or even behavioral changes. This has led to an increase of diagnoses of dementia or other diseases of the brain, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. Though there is no one single cause for these conditions, there is research on how to prevent them from occurring. Thyme oil has been part of this research and has been shown to prevent the decline of important hormones and chemicals in the brain that are required for healthy functioning. This is likely due to a high concentration of antioxidant chemicals that prevent cell damage from free oxygen radicals in the environment. This helps cells repair themselves as well as preventing further damage.
Diffuse thyme throughout the house allow your body to absorb the antioxidant benefits. - Treat Vaginal Infections
Every woman suffers from a vaginal infection at least once in her lifetime. Unfortunately, it may be several times, which means several courses of different types of medicine to try and control either bacteria or fungi like candida. This can lead to the development of resistant types, especially if you suffer from chronic conditions. Research shows that a combination of garlic and thyme essential oil is just as effective as a commonly used over the counter treatment for yeast infections. This may mean relief without medication and even prevention of further infections
Guide to Using Essential Oils for Gorgeous Skin
For centuries, people have been using essential oils to maintain health and treat various ailments and conditions. These botanical extracts can be used in a variety of ways, but because they’re so concentrated and powerful, they’ll always need to be diluted in a carrier oil or a butter like shea or cocoa butter.
The Best Essential Oils for Your Skin Type
Keep in mind that the topical application of anything has the potential to cause an allergic reaction. Essential oils should always be used with a carrier oil or in a blend to avoid a skin reaction. You should do a patch test with any oil before applying to a larger area of skin. And, while it is rare, if you develop any adverse reaction, such as a rash, itching, or burning at the site of application, discontinue the oil and bring this to the attention of your doctor.
Essential oils for all skin types or sensitive skin
Essential oils: Geranium, helichrysum, lavender, neroli, Roman chamomile, rose
Carrier oil: Jojoba oil, sunflower seed
- Geranium
Geranium is a versatile oil that balances oil production, conditions skin, and is great for all skin types. Geranium can be added to moisturizers to help with over and under production of oil. - Geranium
Geranium is a versatile oil that balances oil production, conditions skin, and is great for all skin types. Geranium can be added to moisturizers to help with over and under production of oil. - Helichrysum
A tiny bottle of helichrysum is an investment. The nicknames for this healing oil with a honey-like scent are ‘everlasting’ and ‘immortelle.’ Which is perfect because helichrysum is a go-to oil for restoring the skin. - Lavender
This essential oil helps heal skin irritations and because it is so versatile, it can be used for all skin types. It can cleanse cuts, scrapes, burns, and irritations and can also calm down stressed skin. - Neroli
Neroli is a wonderful essential oil used to treat devitalized, mature, aging, and sensitive skin types. Due to its regenerative properties, you can also use neroli as a skin toner to tighten aging skin. It has antibacterial properties and is considered useful for acne, scarring, and stretch marks. As you can see, it would be a fantastic addition to your natural skincare routine. - Roman chamomile
Chamomile can treat a variety of skin conditions which include cracked skin, burns, acne, eczema, inflammation, sensitive skin and rosacea—just to name a few. It’s naturally anti-inflammatory and calming, making it a great choice for sensitive and allergic skin. - Rose
Intensely hydrating and naturally anti-inflammatory, rose oil plumps and moisturizes your skin without any potential chemical side effects. Rose oil can be used as a natural substitute for hyaluronic acid, a common ingredient in anti-aging beauty products.
Essential Oils for Oily or Acne-Prone Skin
Essential oils: Basil, cedarwood, clary sage, cypress, geranium, grapefruit, juniper, lemon, tea tree
Carrier oil: Tamanu oil, apricot kernel, grapeseed - Basil
Basil contains anti-inflammatory properties that make it a great option for many inflammatory issues. It is wonderful for soothing insect bites and irritation and is ideal for sensitive skin when properly diluted. It’s also great for overworked muscles and even headaches and migraines. Please note that basil should be avoided if pregnant. - Cedarwood
Cedarwood has the highest level of the anti-inflammatory substance, known as sesquiterpenes, of any essential oil, according to Essential Oils. That’s why it works so well on inflamed and acne-prone skin. Cedarwood is an effective toner on oily skin and hair. - Citrus
Citrus oils like lemon and grapefruit are natural astringents that work to cleanse oil-prone skin while toning and tightening. Their antiseptic properties also help protect against acne-causing bacteria. Grapefruit oil is especially helpful in breaking down cellulite. - Cypress
Cypress oil can not only help repair capillary vein damage often found around the nose area, but it also shrinks swollen blood vessels. It’s considered beneficial for varicose veins, according to the Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy. This essential oil is also a good choice to use as an astringent on the skin or to tackle cellulite. - Juniper
Juniper is a cleansing oil and when diluted and applied to wounds it can speed healing time and help prevent infections. It’s a great choice for many different skin issues including oily skin and acne. The Art of Aromatherapy considers it beneficial for toning the skin and for use with skin disorders associated with irritation. - Tea Tree (Melaleuca)
The uses for tea tree oil are countless. A few of them include its antifungal and antibacterial properties. This means it’s a first choice for acne and oily skin. Tea tree oil can also treat minor cuts, scrapes, and just about any other skin condition you may experience.
How To Choose a Perfect Gaming Chair
Gamers tend to spend a lot of time sitting in front of a PC or a gaming console. Prolonged sitting can cause everything from mild discomfort to permanent health damage, which is why gaming chairs are extremely important.
Nobody wants their hobby to be the cause of health problems, so many gamers are figuring out the importance of a good gaming chair. Choosing a perfect gaming chair can be a daunting task. Try to remember how many hours you have spent reading through benchmark results only to decide which GPU is perfect for you. Think of all the time spent trying to decide which CPU to purchase. Many gamers run into the same problem with gaming chairs – they simply don’t know what to look for.
Fortunately, our guide will teach you everything there is to know about gaming chairs! Continue reading, and in a few minutes, you will be better informed and ready to make an educated purchase.
Types of Gaming Chairs
There are a few types of gaming chairs out there, and it is important to note their differences. Most of the biggest Twitch streamers use PC gaming chairs, but there are a few more types that might fit you more.
Rocker Gaming Chair
This type of gaming chair doesn’t have any legs nor wheels – it sits directly on the floor. This type of chair is perfect for a console gamer who wants to sit back and relax. If you are a PC gamer, you should probably look for a different chair.
PC Gaming Chair
PC gaming chairs are very similar to the chairs one would find in an office, but the two can’t be compared. PC gaming chairs come with a lumbar pad, armrests, and a headrest.
Some of the models are modeled after race car models, and they can lean back 180 degrees. These chairs are very versatile, and they are created to provide PC gamers with everything needed for comfortable gaming.
Racer Gaming Chairs
Racer gaming chairs, as the name implies, are created for fans of racing games. Some of these chairs come with a framework that you can use to attach your steering wheel, pedals, and a shift knob. But, some models come with pedals, shift knob, and a steering wheel attached!
Racer gaming chairs are made with fans of racing games in mind, so we wouldn’t recommend them to a console gamer or a PC gamer. If you are into racing simulations, then there is no better choice for you!
Features You Should Look For
There are a couple of factors you should keep in your mind before opting in for a gaming chair. Read on, and find out everything about the most important features of a high-quality gaming chair.
Material
The number one thing you should know is the material a chair is made out of. If you don’t pay attention to the material of a chair, you will be buying a new chair sooner than you hoped.
Find out if the cover material is leather or faux leather. Faux leather can crack and leave your chair looking ugly. Learn what is inside of the chair – know what kind of padding material is used. If you are buying a PC gaming chair, then make sure that the legs are sturdy.
Simply put – make sure that the material used is high quality!
Space
Can your new gaming chair fit into your room? Can it fit in front of your PC? Will it make your living space cramped? You should know the answers to all of the mentioned questions before making a purchase.
Bear in mind that some gaming chairs can be large, especially the racer gaming chairs. Measure the size of your room, and use the measurements of the chair to figure out whether it is the right purchase.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics are as important as the material of a gaming chair. After all, you will be spending a lot of time in your gaming chair, so comfort should be your greatest priority.
You wouldn’t want to sit in an uncomfortable chair, so make sure that the chair helps you keep a good posture, and that it is comfortable. If you can try out a chair at a friend’s house or in a store, do it!
Style
Most of the gamers enjoy making their gaming space distinct and stylish, and people who create gaming chairs are aware of that. Gaming chairs come in a wide variety of colors, materials, and style – the biggest problem is finding the one that looks the best. Luckily, all of them are created to be visually appealing, so you won’t have any problems with finding the perfect one for you.
Value
You should make sure that you get what you paid for, but you should also make sure that you don’t buy a chair with features that you already have. If you have a great sound system, then there is no reason to opt in for a chair with a built-in sound system.
Adjustability
The best gaming chairs out there give you the power to adjust them in many different ways. If you want to be in total control of your chair, then search for gaming chairs with following features:
Height control: Almost all of the chairs allow you to change their height, but make sure that your new one does. There is nothing worse than having your legs dangle off the floor.
Armrest: Make sure that your wrists don’t get hurt by utilizing the adjustable armrest.
Backrest: Adjustable backrest is very important! You can seriously harm your posture if the backrest isn’t suited to your needs.
Final Words
Now that you have read our article, you can consider yourself knowledgeable on the subject of gaming chairs. You have learned everything about different types of gaming chairs, and you know what to look out for. The only thing remaining is to choose one that suits your needs, and soon enough you will be playing games the way they are meant to be played – comfortably.
