Cashmere, merino, and fine knits — pre-measured, gently cleaned, and hand-blocked to shape.
Why Alex's
Why Discerning Households Choose Alex's for Knits
Cashmere scales lock together under heat and agitation in ways that cannot be undone. The only correct approach is gentle cleaning and patient hand-blocking.
Professional Knit Restoration
Every knit is measured before cleaning, then hand-blocked back to those exact dimensions while it dries — restoring the original fit and silhouette, not an approximation of it.
Gentle, Eco-Friendly Cleaning
Our biodegradable Alex's Soap cleans delicate fibers without harsh solvents or agitation, preserving color, softness, and loft — no felting, no compression, no pilling.
Concierge-Level Service
Flexible door-to-door pickup and delivery, scheduled by text. Personal assistants and household managers across San Francisco rely on Alex's to keep knit collections flawless.
The Process
How Knit Blocking Works
Blocking is the difference between a sweater that is merely clean and one that fits the way it did the day it was bought.
1 · Measure
Every piece is measured and documented on arrival — body length, chest, sleeves, and collar — so we know exactly what shape to restore.
2 · Clean Gently
Knits are cleaned with Alex's Soap using a low-agitation, temperature-controlled process that protects cashmere, vicuña, merino, and silk-blend fibers.
3 · Hand-Block
While drying, each knit is hand-shaped back to its recorded dimensions — cuffs, ribbing, and collars eased into place, never stretched or pressed flat.
4 · Finish & Return
A final hand-finish, careful folding with tissue, and white-glove return to your door. Pair with our luxury dry cleaning for the rest of the wardrobe, or see our pricing.
Pickup & Delivery
Door-to-Door Across the Bay Area
The same white-glove standard travels everywhere we serve. Pickup from your front door, doorman, or garage — returned cleaned, pressed, and ready to wear.
San Francisco
Monday – Saturday
Next-business-day return; Saturday pickups return Tuesday morning.
Peninsula & South Bay
Monday · Wednesday · Friday
Returned on the next scheduled service day.
Marin County
Every Day
Same-day return is the standard — morning pickups come back the same afternoon.
East Bay
Thursday & Saturday
Returned on the next service day.
Wine Country
Monday & Thursday
Sonoma & the Napa Valley — $300 service minimum, or a $75 delivery charge each way.
$75 minimum per pickup with free pickup and delivery across San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin, and the East Bay. Wine Country (Napa, Sonoma & St. Helena): $300 service minimum, or a $75 delivery charge each way. Same-day service available in most areas for an additional fee.
Common Questions
Knit Blocking FAQ
What is knit blocking and why does it matter?
Blocking is the process of reshaping a knit to its correct dimensions while it dries. Without it, cleaned knitwear comes back shorter, wider, or stretched. Alex's measures every piece before cleaning and hand-blocks it back to those exact measurements — restoring the original fit and drape.
Can you restore a stretched or shrunken sweater?
In many cases, yes. Stretched cuffs, grown hems, and mildly felted or misshapen knits can often be re-blocked to their original dimensions. Alex's Team assesses each piece individually and will tell you honestly what can be recovered.
Is professional cleaning safe for cashmere and vicuña?
It is the only safe option. Heat, agitation, and harsh detergents permanently felt cashmere fibers. Alex's uses a gentle, biodegradable process with hand-finishing — the approach Loro Piana and Brunello Cucinelli knitwear requires.
Do you offer knitwear pickup and delivery in San Francisco?
Yes — door-to-door valet pickup throughout San Francisco, Monday through Saturday, plus the Peninsula, Marin, and the East Bay. The minimum per pickup is $75, including free pickup and delivery. Text 415-338-9318 to schedule.