Tips for Winter Wear Clothes Care and Storage
December 10, 2014 by admin
Filed under Cleaning Procedures and Measures for Controlling Pests, Home Management Tips and Information
Win
ter days are here again…It is time to start using winter clothes, sweaters, scarves, jackets, shawls and other accessories. A little pre-work will help you to use fresh smelling winter wear. Winter wear clothes need to be handled with care to maintain the texture, warmth and comfort. Wool coats should be dry cleaned at the beginning and at the end of the season.
Most important rule to adhere before cleaning your winter clothes is to look at the label and follow the instructions.
Most of the woolen clothes are recommended for dry cleaning. Basic reason being that wool fibers will swell if washed in water, which can distort the shape of the sweater.
But if the label indicates that you can wash your woolen garment, follow these home care tips to clean sweaters:
- Use a mild, neutral detergent and ensure it is thoroughly dissolved in cold water.
- Soak for 5 to 10 mins, then gently swish the sweater around in the water and rinse using cold water until it runs clear of soap.
- Do not wring the sweater with your hands or dry it in the dryer of washing machine.
- The best method is to lay the sweater out on a white towel and gently blot the excess water away. Leave the sweater on the towel / bed sheet on a flat surface and let it dry in a well-ventilated area.
- Slow drying is recommended because high heat can causes unnecessary wear and tear
- If you observe wrinkles after hand washing, use an iron for pressing. If you need to press cashmere sweaters, place a clean towel or bed sheet between the sweater and iron to prevent the heat harming the garment.
Remove light stains on wool:
Remove light stains on wool by blotting (not rubbing!) with cold water or club soda using absorbent cloths or paper towel.
Cleaning coats:
Cleaning coats and jackets depends on your environment. If you are placed in a busy area then clean coats twice in a month. Dust and dirt particles can get into the weave of the coat and will wear the fabric down like sandpaper
Cleaning scarves and shawls:
Anything that is close to the body needs to be cleaned more. Preferably consider hand-washing your wool scarf or shawl once a month to keep it in tip-top shape. If the scarf material is delicate consider dry cleaning.
Cleaning accessories-gloves and mittens:
Fabric gloves can be washed but the process tends to distort the shape. Leather gloves are more durable than fabric gloves and can usually be wiped clean with a damp cloth when dirty.
Storing winter items isn’t always the same as in other seasons:
- Allow all wearable items, including footwear, one day’s rest between wearings.
- Do not store near direct light or heat.
- Make sure items are completely dry before storing to prevent damaging mildew
Winter clothes storage tips:
Clean your clothing prior to storing: Pack your clothes only after washing them-wet or dry wash. This will help repel pests and reduces stains that would be set in if left on the clothing for the storage duration. The biggest risk If you do not wash prior to storage is that you will be greeted by moths, beetles, ants and cockroaches once winter season begins.
Identify a suitable container to hold your winter clothing: Large Polythene bag is an inexpensive option but they can get punctured leaving it open to dust and pests. Similarly storing in cardboard boxes also gives a moist smell after the rains. Plastic boxes are the ideal option to keep away pests and moisture. You can also store in luggage bags for good storage over a long duration.
Keep clothing fresh : Add a few moth balls and ensure pests stay away and help protect your winter clothes in storage.
Store like items into the same container: To make unpacking the containers easier next year, place all your sweaters in one container and all your woolen accessories in another. Continue through your winter wardrobe in such a fashion until everything has been put away.
Stack winter clothes in appropriate storage place: After season is over find the perfect place to store your winter clothing. You can slide the storage container-bags under a bed such that it does not block the path.
A storage unit, attic, closet floor, shelf are also places to consider. If you do not have anywhere else to put your boxes or containers, or if you are in need of a small table somewhere in your home, you can stack a few containers on top of each other and drape a cloth over them, creating a homemade table.
Right storage will help access winter clothes next season. Please add a comment and, if you like the post, feel free to share it with your friends. You can also visit our facebook page and Google plus page for more insight on other articles.
Also read:
Preserving Clothes from Pests Using Neem Leaves
How to remove candle wax and bubble gum stuck on clothes
