Your Guide To Taking Care of Winter Clothes

As winter arrives, and we all feel the chills, it's time to dust off our favorite winter wear and bring out the warmest clothes. The urge to bundle up comes naturally with the weather, but it also means our laundry pile gets a little bigger. If you're wondering how to clean, wash, and store your winter wear, Baleaf has got you covered in this guide to taking care of winter clothes. Let's get started.

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How To Wash Winter Clothes

To maintain the quality of sweaters, scarves, and woolen clothes, special care is essential. Synthetic fabrics like any other fabric need care and gentle handling to prevent it from losing its shape.

Here are some tips to ensure you wash and care for your winter wear effectively:

Read the care tag or label.

While cutting out clothing tags might be tempting, they contain valuable information on how to care for your clothes. Most winter clothing tags will recommend hand-washing, but some may be machine-washable. For the best results, it's a good idea to follow the instructions provided on the clothing label.

Hand wash all knitted wear.

Give your delicate clothes some TLC with a gentle hand wash using a small amount of dish soap—no need for an excess, and the soap won't harm the fibers. Taking the time to pamper your sweaters and scarves with a hand wash will keep them looking sharp and maintain their shape. Remember, though, avoid twisting these clothes, as it can harm the fabric.

Treat stains immediately.

Resist the temptation to wait until the end of the season. Treat stains early as they become more stubborn over time. Simply spray unsightly marks with an enzyme-based stain remover and wash as soon as you spot them for the best results.

Machine-wash down jackets.

Give your down jackets or down-alternative coats some love twice a season with a machine wash routine.

Soak the coat in your washer with cold water and detergent for 30 minutes. Run a gentle cycle, and then gently squish out excess water (avoid twisting the jacket). Pop it in the dryer on low temperature with a few tennis balls to re-fluff, and voilà!

Help retain the shape of sweaters.

Before washing your sweater, lay it out flat it on a big piece of paper, and trace its outline. Once washed, roll the sweater in a towel to soak up extra water, then place it back on the paper and gently reshape it to match the outline. Let it air-dry flat for the perfect fit!

Use a zippered mesh bag for smaller pieces of winter clothing.

Throw your hats, scarves, and gloves into the wash once a month, then simply lay them flat to dry. Using a laundry bag will ensure that such small items won't become a tangled mess with the rest of your laundry.

Use regular detergent for activewear and fleece.

Wash your activewear and other clothing made of fleece or lined with fleece with regular detergent. Refrain from using a fabric softener afterward as it affects the moisture-wicking abilities of such materials.

Hang winter clothes to dry.

Let your clothes hang dry on a line or collapsible racks rather than machine-drying them. This helps retain a fabric's shape. Moreover, you get the bonus of humidifying the dry winter air because of damp clothes.

How To Store Away Winter Clothes

Knowing how to take care of winter clothes can help with their longevity and save you money in the long run. Thus, properly storing them also extends their lifespan and wearability.

Segregate your clothes.

When organizing your clothes, it's essential to segregate them wisely. Fold garments that could lose shape or stretch out, avoiding hanging them on a hanger. For items prone to wrinkling or damage when folded, opt for hanging. To preserve classic pieces, place a layer of acid-free tissue paper between folded layers, protecting embellishments and preventing color transfer.

Choose containers well.

Storing your clothes when not in use is crucial, so you have to consider where you'll store them. Plastic storage containers are suitable for seasonal use. They outshine cardboard boxes in long-term storage. Cardboard boxes easily break down, lack sturdiness for stacking with heavy contents, are susceptible to pests, and may develop stains over time.

It's essential to keep all stored clothes dry. While plastic containers keep moisture out, they can trap moisture, leading to mold and mildew. As such, avoid overcrowding the container, allowing natural fibers to breathe while reducing wrinkles.

Use garment bags for hanging clothes that can be hung.

Garment bags are worth the investment when storing winter clothing to help with their longevity. They provide excellent protection against dust and dirt and often come with convenient zippers. Ensure you choose high-quality, breathable garment bags to preserve the integrity of your winter fabrics.

Refrain from using vacuum-sealed bags.

Opting for vacuum-sealed bags might seem popular, but it's not the ideal choice for certain types of clothing, such as down jackets, wool, cashmere, and leather items. These natural fibers require space to breathe, and removing air through vacuum sealing can lead to compression, resulting in a loss of shape and form.

Additionally, vacuum-sealed bags can have the potential to hold moisture and, in lower-quality versions, may turn yellow when exposed to heat or sunlight. To safeguard your wardrobe, consider using plastic storage bins as a more reliable alternative.

Use dryer sheets to make clothes smell nice.

Keep your clothes smelling fresh after storage with a simple trick – toss in a few dryer sheets, a sweet-smelling sachet, or some dried lavender into the garment bag or storage container. If moisture is a concern, include desiccant packs to absorb humidity. Cedar is also a fantastic option for moisture control, so consider using cedar chips, balls, sachets, or cedar hangers among your winter clothes to keep them in top condition.

Choose a good storage location.

When storing your winter clothes, choose a naturally cool, dark, and dry place. This environment helps preserve the quality of your clothes, keeping them away from direct sunlight and heat. Likewise, it's important to clean your storage space regularly to prevent pests. Enhance protection by using moth traps or cedar blocks in your closet.

Clothes Also Need Love and Care

Caring for clothes is one of the ways of supporting sustainability in fashion because it ensures their longevity, giving you more value for the buck you spent on them. Give your clothes the T-L-C they need with these winter clothing care tips.

#slay the winter season in all the warmth and style with our All Fleece-Lined collection made of high-quality fabric that can last for years with proper care.