KNITWEAR is a must-have for the colder months - yet very few of us know how to take care of it properly, leaving jumpers either shrunk or with loose threads.

Made of delicate wool, jumpers, cosy cardigans and soft hats can be a nightmare to wash, especially when you don't know what setting to use or how much detergent to pour in.

Fortunately, offering a helping hand, the self-proclaimed Queen of Clean, Lynsey Crombie, shared a few tips and tricks that will keep your favourite knitted garments as good as new.

When it comes to washing, the expert said that one of the biggest mistakes people make is doing it either too little, or too frequently, The Express reported.

 "First things first, it’s important to know that it is best to wash your knitted clothing items every two to three wears.

“However, washing them every three to four wears may be risky as the garments may have picked up numerous germs and bacterias, particularly if you’ve been wearing them outside of the house.”

According to the pro, who regularly appears on our TV screens, taking note of the labels is essential to keep he garments in the best condition.

She said: "If it is machine washable, it’s wise to use a knitwear specific laundry detergent and make sure you use the delicate or knitwear setting on your machine.”

Once you've organised your knitted items into appropriate piles, it is best to isolate the cycle and only wash similar items together.

She also added that one of the most common causes of damage to delicate knitwear is zips and clasps being chucked together in the same load.

If you've found your favourite jumper damaged or stretched out, don't rush to get rod of it or donate it - there are a few quick fixes to revive it.

 “If you happen to have a knitwear disaster then this handy hack might help revive your items.

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"You will simply need to soak your knitwear in cold water with a measure of fabric conditioner mixed in with the water.

"Leave overnight and in the morning, wring out and try and stretch it back into shape. Your knitwear should then be salvaged!"

Nothing's as frustrating as finding a jumper looking nowhere near as vibrant as it did when you first bought it, especially if it was on the more expensive side.

However, there is a solution - and it will cost you next to nothing.

To prevent dark colours from fading, the guru recommended swapping a capful of fabric conditioner for sea salt.

Combine this cheap trick with a cooler wash cycle and your knitwear is guaranteed to look brighter for longer.

Lynsey added: "Always ensure you wash your items inside out and opt for a colour catcher - you can pick them up cheap on Amazon or even at the supermarket.”

Just as important, she noted, is knowing how to store it properly.

Though it may come as a surprise to many, Lynsey advised against using hangers to store knitted sweaters and jumpers.

"When it comes to storing your knitwear, always ensure you fold it so your items maintain shape,'' she said.

"Never, ever hang knitwear on a hanger as it will lose its shape extremely quickly.

''There’s nothing worse than your favourite jumper’s neck becoming all baggy!"

Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:

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