It’s time to break out the cozy cashmere and warm wool sweaters. Have you ever been a victim of sweater shrinkage, distorted shapes and excess pilling? With just a little tender care, your sweaters can last for years.
Always Fold Your Sweaters
Hanging sweaters is the quickest way to stretch and distort the fibers. Storing sweaters folded on a shelf or in a dresser is the best option to keep them looking fresh. If you must hang them, use padded hangers and only hang them once dry. During the off-season storing them in moisture resistant bags is recommended.
Remove Pilling
Due to the soft fibers, pilling is unfortunately going to happen. Using a sweater stone or sweater shaver, gently removing the pilling. Go slow and conservative in your movements to avoid injuring the sweater. You can always do a second pass on high friction areas like arm-pits.
Don’t Wash with Each Wear
Resist the urge to toss your sweater in the wash after each wear. The less you can wash them, the better. To stretch out the time between washes, try wearing an undershirt underneath your sweaters. This extra layer will help absorb sweat and bacteria.
Hand wash When Possible
When you do finally need to wash your sweaters, hand wash is best. Use a detergent specifically for wool or delicate items. Some dry-clean only items can often be washed, manufacturers often label them dry-clean only because of how delicate the fabrics are. Do some research based on the fabric content of your dry-clean only items before washing them.
Store with Cedar
Cedar has been used for decades in storage and closets to keep clothes looking their best. Cedar pulls moisture from the air – it not only deters moths but prevents mold and mildew. If you live in humid climates, cedar is a valuable asset to have in your closet or clothing storage areas.
We hope these tips will help you feel confident about caring for your sweater collection. Investing in natural fiber sweaters like wool or cashmere doesn’t have to be intimidating. Bookmark this care guide to help keep your sweaters looking fresh year after year.