Photo via Happily Grey
Sweaters are my saving grace during the winter – there are a ton of variations, they can be layered, dressed-up, be casual….the only downfall is that they require a little more attention in terms of care. I know I’m not alone in experiencing the dread of pulling a sweater out of the washing machine to find it half the size of when I put it in, or trying to iron out bumps in sweater shoulders caused by hangers.
For my own sanity, and to help others avoid sweater mishaps, I’ve compiled five practical tips for proper sweater care that’ll leave you confident when contemplating whether or not to fork over the extra cash for that cashmere number you’ve been dreaming about.
Read the label… Most of the time if I have a laundry mishap, it’s because I didn’t take the time to properly read the label – it’s the easiest way to prevent any damage to your clothing. As the small symbols can be confusing, here’s a quick guide to help you determine what method of care is best.
Use your handy work… There is something relaxing in hand washing your clothes, and oftentimes, this is the best, economical method for cleaning sweaters. A few pointers: use cool water, a gentle cleanser like Woolite, roll in a towel to absorb excess water instead of wringing it out, and lay flat to dry.
Don’t over wash your sweaters… This is an easy tip as it requires less work on your part. Don’t feel the need to over wash your sweaters. A general rule is to wash sweaters every 3-4 wears unless you’re in an environment where your sweater absorbs smells or you spill on it.
Fold, don’t hang… Avoid awkward shoulder bumps and misshapen sweaters by folding your sweaters instead of hanging them. If you have no choice but to hang a sweater, try folding it in half over the middle of the hanger (similar to how you would drape pants) but cover the crossbar with folded cardboard or tissue paper.
Pay attention to pills and snags… Maintain any pills and snags that appear on your sweaters as they happen. A sweater stone is a worthwhile purchase (looks like a small pumice stone) as it gently removes pills from sweater surfaces and they retail for around $12. In terms of snags – DO NOT pull or cut them. Stick a needle or a crochet hook (if it’s a thicker knit) into the base of the snag and pull it through to the inside.
Dritz Sweater Stone Clothing Care, $12.23 CAD, Amazon.ca