How to Wash and Care for Waffle Knit Trousers

Men's waffle knit pintuck trouser in black – close-up of the drawcord waist and waffle knit texture

Tigon style guide · 4 min read

Waffle knit trousers are easy to live with: they feel soft, breathe well and do not need much fuss. But the little raised squares that make the fabric comfortable can lose their shape, fade or pick up fluff if they are washed the wrong way. Here is a simple routine that keeps them looking new for longer.

Quick answer

Turn them inside out and close the drawcord before washing.
Wash in cold or lukewarm water on a gentle cycle, with similar colours.
Do not wring. Press the water out and dry them in the shade.
Skip the hot iron. Use low heat or steam, inside out.

Always check the care label first. If it says something different, follow the label.

Before you wash

Empty the pockets (a forgotten tissue leaves white fluff all over a knit) and tie the drawcord in a loose bow so it does not pull out of the waistband in the machine. Turning the trouser inside out protects the outer surface from rubbing, which is what causes fading and small balls of fluff (pilling).

Washing

Cold or lukewarm water is enough to clean everyday wear. Hot water can shrink knits and fade dark colours faster, especially black and olive. Use a gentle or delicate cycle, a mild liquid detergent, and wash with similar colours. Keep heavy items such as jeans and towels out of the same load, because their rough surface rubs against the knit.

Washing by hand? Soak for ten minutes in cool water with a little detergent, swish gently, rinse twice and you are done. Do not scrub the fabric against itself.

Drying

This is where most damage happens. Do not wring or twist a knit trouser: it stretches the loops and the shape never fully comes back. Instead, press the water out, or roll it inside a towel. Dry it in the shade, hung from the waistband or folded over a line, not in strong direct sun, which fades dark colours quickly. If you use a dryer, keep it on low heat and take the trouser out while it is still slightly damp.

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Ironing

Waffle knit usually does not need ironing after a careful dry. If it does, iron inside out on low heat, or hang it in the bathroom while you shower and let the steam relax the creases. A hot iron pressed hard flattens the waffle texture. On the Tigon waffle knit trouser the crease down the front is a stitched pintuck, so it stays sharp without any pressing.

Storing

Fold knits rather than hanging them by the hem for weeks, which can stretch them. A neat fold over a hanger bar or in a drawer is fine. Keep them away from damp cupboards in the monsoon.

Small problems and fixes

Pilling: small fluff balls between the thighs are normal with any knit after many wears. A fabric shaver or a gentle pass with a razor removes them in a minute.
Fading: wash inside out, in cold water, and dry in the shade. Dark trousers stay dark much longer this way.
Loose drawcord: if it slips out, attach a safety pin to one end and thread it back through the waistband.

FAQs

Can I put waffle knit trousers in a washing machine?

Yes, on a gentle cycle with cold or lukewarm water, turned inside out. Check the care label for anything specific.

Will waffle knit shrink?

Knits can shrink a little with hot water or high dryer heat. Cold washing and drying in the shade avoids most of it.

How often should I wash them?

After two or three wears is enough for most days, unless they get dirty or sweaty. Washing less often keeps the colour and texture longer.

New to the fabric? Read what is waffle knit fabric, or find your size in the trouser size guide.

Waffle knit trousersBreathable, pintuck crease, 4 colours, sizes M to XXL. Free delivery and Cash on Delivery.

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