Proper Care for your Winter Wear

It’s that time of year again for the crisp fall breeze giving way to gusty winter winds, and you can count on snow in the forecast. Time to break out all your favorite winter sweaters, scarves and hats! It’s also time for a refresher course on how to properly care for tricky winter fabrics such as wool, cashmere, and hand-knit scarves and mittens. Read on for the best cleaning tips to keep your cozy fabrics looking brand new.

Cashmere

 There’s nothing like the soft, cozy luxury of a cashmere sweater. But it is an extremely delicate and high-maintenance (not to mention expensive!) fabric that it’s important to know how to take care of your cashmere and keep it looking as beautiful as the day you bought it.

What to remember:

• Always wash by hand, using baby shampoo or Woolite, and try not to wash more than twice in a season.
• Keep your wet cashmere sweater in a lump if you pick it up- don’t ever hold it by the shoulders or spread it onto a drying rack or it will stretch out of shape.
• Use a salad spinner to dry your cashmere, or lay flat to dry and absorb excess water by pressing a lint-free towel on top.
• If you dry clean your cashmere, remove it from the protective plastic wrap as soon as possible, and keep it wrapped in tissue paper when storing it.

Wool

A popular winter fabric for its warmth and durability, wool is a favorite for sweaters, hats and coats. Follow these simple steps to keep your wool looking its best.

What to remember:

• Invest in a suede brush for your wool coat to get excess dirt and lint off the surface without having to clean it too often.
• Wood hangers are best for wool coats so the weight of them doesn’t accidentally stretch the shoulders out of shape.
• Let your wool coat breathe, and avoid hanging it in an over-full closet.
• It’s OK to use the delicate cycle on your washing machine to wash your wool sweaters, but never toss your wool items in the dryer. Instead, gently squeeze to release excess water and lay flat to dry.

Down

 A cuddly way to stay warm this winter, down jackets and vests are a favorite among skiers and outdoor enthusiasts. Here’s what you need to know about caring for your down-filled garments.

What to remember:

• It’s best to use a front-loading washing machine for your down coats and vests, as a top-loading machine can actually damage the garment.
• Use as little detergent as possible, as too much soap can make the down-filled item less fluffy. You can even run it through a second, soap-free wash cycle to make sure all the detergent is really out of it.
• You can put down-filled items in the dryer on a standard, low heat cycle. Toss in a few tennis balls to keep the down from clumping.

Stay tuned for more laundry care tips for your favorite winter fabrics to keep your cold-weather clothing game on point this season!