How to Keep Your Sweaters Looking Great for Years

 

Welcome to my Sweater Solutions three-part series. It?s sweater weather and time to pull your sweaters out from storage. During the chilly weather, a sweater can be your best friend. 

But they require a little TLC. The better you care for your sweaters, the longer you?ll be able to wear and enjoy them. 

Today I?m sharing the best tips to care for your sweaters to keep them looking great, smelling fresh, and feeling soft for years! 

WASHING 

If there are stains, pretreat first before washing.

Turn your sweater inside out before washing.

Snap, button and zip any fasteners to reduce the chances of snags.

Wash your cotton, silk, and cashmere sweaters after three or four wears, and your wool and wool blends after five or more wears.

Always follow the sweater?s care instructions. 

Most cotton, cotton blends, and synthetic fibers can be machine-washed. Cashmere should be hand-washed or dry-cleaned. Wool or wool blends should be dry-cleaned.

Always wash with a mild soap, like a Castille soap or baby shampoo. I especially like the ones with a scent like lavender to keep them smelling great. 

It's best to hand wash one sweater at a time. Swish it a few times, then let it soak for 10 minutes. Rinse gently but thoroughly.

To machine wash your sweaters, wash on delicate in cold water in a mesh laundry bag to reduce friction. Avoid washing them with bulky items, like jeans and towels. 

Never mix colors when washing which may cause dye transfer.

DRYING

Skip the clothes dryer! Air drying is one of the best things you can do to extend the life of your sweater. 

After washing, roll your sweater in a towel pressing as you go. Lay your sweater on a dry towel and reshape it to its original form. Using a mesh drying rack will reduce the drying time. 

Push the sweater's ribbing together at the neckline, wrists, and waist. Allow the sweater to dry completely which may take a day or two. 

LAYERING OVER A T-SHIRT

Since washing can wear down the fabric and softness of a sweater over time, consider wearing a T-shirt or shirt underneath to extend the time between washes. 

Your shirt will be a barrier keeping sweat, body oils, and deodorant from the fabric of your sweater.

FIXING SHRINKAGE

If your sweater shrinks, here's how to refashion your sweater to its original size.

Soak your sweater in water with a capful of standard hair conditioner. Let it sit for 10 minutes to soften up the fibers. Gently reshape the sweater to the size you want and lay it on a towel to air dry.

REMOVING WRINKLES

Sweaters get less wrinkles than woven fabrics, but they do show wrinkles and fold lines sometimes. Use a liquid wrinkle remover or steamer to smooth them out. I keep these products handy to keep all my clothes wrinkle-free. 

REMOVING FUZZ BALLS

Say goodbye to fuzz balls making your sweater look old and worn before it's time. Since unsightly pill balls result from friction on the sleeves, under the arms, and side seams of your sweater, everyone needs a shaver. Choose the size that fits your needs.

Here are some tips for using a shaver to keep your sweater pill-free.

? Remove any leftover lint and fuzz from your shaver first.

? Lay your garment on a flat surface.

? Use circular motions and increase pressure gradually.

FIXING CUFFS

If the cuffs or band of your sweaters stretch out, dip the area in hot water and blot slightly. Lay on a towel and dry with a blow-dryer set on hot to tighten up the yarns.

FIXING AN ITCHY SWEATER

There?s nothing worse than a sweater that?s itchy and uncomfortable. Soak it for 30 minutes in cold water with a liquid fabric softener. After a couple of soaks, your sweater should be soft and cozy.

FIXING SNAGS

Snagging is common in sweaters creating ugly dangling threads. Never cut the snagged thread or it will unravel and make a hole. 

Pull or push the loose thread to the wrong side of the fabric. Turn the sweater inside out. If the yarn is loose, tie a knot in it and dot the knot and ends of the yarn with a tiny bit of clear nail polish.

Turn it right side out and the snag is hidden from view. If the sweater still looks rippled, use a clothes steamer to smooth the fabric.

REMOVING ODORS 

Here?s some suggestions to remove any stale odors from your sweaters after storing them during the warm weather.

Spray with Febreze.

Add a DIY odor absorber of baking soda and your favorite essential oil, lavender sachets, or scented fabric sheets inside an airtight container with your sweater.

Hand-wash your sweaters in a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and water

Wash and then dry your sweater outside in the sun which acts as a natural deodorizer.

SWEATER CARE PRODUCTS 

Here are some products essential for caring for your sweaters and your other clothes too.

 Lavender Castille Soap    Laundry Bags    Small Shaver    Large Shaver

 

Lavender Sachets      Wrinkle Release Spray   Conair Handheld Steamer

Now, you can be an expert in caring for your favorite sweaters! Use these simple tips and products and your sweaters will look and feel great for years to come.

My other Sweater Solutions posts you might be interested in:

Sweater Solutions: Choosing the Perfect Sweater

Sweater Solutions: Sweater Storage 101

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