It’s that time of the year where our wardrobe needs a switch from winters to summers. And the most important question that arises is how to store sweaters so they feel fresh and wearable next fall too. Sweaters need special care and are usually a bit expensive than our normal clothes so it’s worth taking the effort to keep them preserved for a longer period of time. Take a look at these 10 easy tips on how to store sweaters.
#1 A good rule of thumb is to wash your sweaters after every fourth wearing, unless you spill, sweat or are around smoke. You should wash cotton, silk, and cashmere after two to three wearings, since these pieces are more delicate. Wool and durable man-made blends, such as acrylic and polyester, can withstand five wearings.
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#2 Always hand wash your sweaters. Add a mild detergent or baby shampoo into lukewarm water and let your wools soak for 5 to 7 minutes before rinsing in cold water.
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#3 You may also use vinegar to rinse out the sweater. Bring back some life to your sweaters by adding a few drops, say 2 tablespoons of vinegar to the water before rinsing. Ball up the sweater gently, and squeeze out the water without wringing or stretching.
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#4 The proper way to dry a sweater is to gently squeeze out the water from the garment and lay it flat on a white towel and not hang it. Or another way is to gently roll the towel and sweater together to remove moisture and dry the sweater on a flat, moisture-resistant surface, preferably a mesh which lets the air circulate.
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#5 Fold your sweaters, never hang them. Hanging sweaters can ruin its shape and turn it into a size larger than what you originally bought. Especially when the sweaters are wet, do not hold them by the shoulder, it will stretch out even more.
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#6 Keeping the sweaters in the freezer is one of the best and easiest ways to make them as fresh as possible. Put your sweater in an elastic bag, seal it and freeze for 3-4 hours. Freezing prevents sweaters from pilling and you can wear them shed-free.
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#7 Use a baby’s hairbrush to remove any hair, lint or dandruff from the sweater because it’s delicate and soft. The softness of the baby brush will enable you to quickly brush off these unattractive sweater companions.
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#8 The unavoidable truth is all sweaters pill just by wearing or cleaning them. De-pill your sweaters regularly to make them as new as you recently bought them. Pilling occurs when groups of fibre break, tangle, and mat together. It makes the texture of the sweater rough and decidedly unattractive and it is more apparent around the elbows, under the armpits and on sleeves. Buy a hand-held de-piller or an electric shaver made for de-pilling or you can use a pumice stone to remove sweater pills.
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#9 Buy lavender scented drawer liners or DIY a natural moth repellent sachet. Always clean your sweaters before storing them, as moths are attracted to our everyday scents such as perfumes, food smells, deodorants and smoke.
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#10 Vodka is also very helpful in keeping your sweaters last longer. It kills all the bacteria from your wools and removes unwanted odour also. Spritz some vodka to your sweaters and let them air dry in a well-ventilated area.
