We love our sweaters and more times than not, we’ve paid a little more for them than other items in our wardrobe. For your sweaters to maintain that just like new appearance, they must be stored properly on a daily basis. If you want your sweaters to last until next winter, follow our very important tips on how to store them THIS season.
Sweaters should be folded when storing. Hanging the sweater will result in a larger sweater than the last time you put it on as it will stretch. Once the fibers are stretched out, it’s difficult to regain its original shape.
Store sweaters dry. Never put away a damp sweater. This will encourage mildew or mold to grow and this cannot be removed. The mildew and mold may spread to surrounding clothing and they all will smell bad.
Do not store with moth balls. They are stinky and they are unhealthy for human beings. Use cedar balls or mixed herbal sachets as a safe alternative.
Keep your wardrobe clean. Give your sweater a good shake after each wearing to remove fluff and dust. Remove dandruff, hair and lint regularly. Also, dust and vacuum your closet regularly to avoid dust settling into the fibers of your sweaters when you aren’t wearing them.
Remove stains immediately. Even the smallest stain should be removed before you put it back into your closet. The fresher the stain, the more likely it will come clean. And remember to never rub a stain; blot, blot, blot. Click here to read our tips on stain removal at home.
Remove pilling from from your sweater regularly. Pilling is caused by the sweater rubbing together in places like your side, under the arms, on elbows and on the chest during wear. Remove them often this season because the pilling can become worse when you store them for the summer. Click here to read how to De-Pill your sweaters.
Follow the washing care instructions on the label. If the label says “dry-clean only”, we recommend having it professionally cleaned. The manufacturer recommends dry cleaning because of a sweater’s design, bulk, trim, or fiber content and it should be entrusted to a reputable professional dry cleaner. If the label says “hand wash only”, Click here to read how to do it properly.
Remove dry cleaned sweaters from their plastic bags. There is usually some moisture involved in the cleaning and pressing of garments. The plastic bag traps in moisture and can cause mildew which is a real threat to the integrity of the clothing’s fibers.
Give your sweater a break. Wearing it too frequently, even though you love it, will cause it to lose shape or build up hard-to-remove perspiration stains. Alternate your favorite sweater with other sweaters or jackets.
Let your deodorant and perfume/cologne dry or set before putting on your sweater. Perfume or cologne is best sprayed on your body before you dress as it can weaken the fibers of your sweater.
Accessorize your neck with a scarf. The scarf acts as a buffer between your face makeup and neck grime and the collar of your sweater. As a bonus, if you are sensitive to a fiber the sweater is made of, such as wool, the scarf will reduce that discomfort.
At Classic Cleaners, we’re experts in caring for sweaters. We’ll help your sweaters look just like new so they can continue to keep you warm and cozy year after year. We’ll even come pick them up from you for free when you sign up for our free pick-up and delivery service.
– S.O.
