Top 10 Sweater Care Hacks You Need To Know

Sweater weather is in full swing! If you’ve snagged a couple of these cozy winter pieces during the latest sales, you need these sweater care hacks to keep your new sweaters in shipshape this season.

1. Rewear & Repeat. You can wear your sweater up to 3-5 times before washing. (A quick sniff test is always a good idea!) See Tip 10 on how to use vodka to get musty smells out of your favorite sweater. Cotton, cashmere, and silk can last three or four wears before washing, while wool and wool blends can be worn up to five times. (Wear a sleeved tee underneath and you just might make it to six.)

Most cotton and cotton blends (polyester, nylon, spandex, acrylic) can be machine washed. Cashmere is both machine and hand washable. I place mine in a mesh bag and stick it in the washer on the delicate cycle set to the lowest spin option. Lay it flat to dry on a rack. Use a mild detergent, wool or cashmere shampoo, or baby shampoo.

2. How to Handwash Like a Pro. Pour slightly warm water + a capful (1.5 Tbs) of mild detergent or baby shampoo in a sink or bucket. (Cold water is good, but it isn’t as effective at eliminating odors or dirt.) Swish constantly for 5 minutes (yes 5!) trying not to let the fabric rub against itself. Friction is what causes pilling, stretching, and weakening of the fibers. Rinse by letting the dirty water drain out. Refill your sink or bucket until the water runs clean.

The Laundress Wool and Cashmere Shampoo

3. Ditch the Dryer. Elongate the life of your sweaters by rolling them up in a towel to ring out the water (resist squeezing), then lay it flat on a dry rack or mesh rack. (3 Tired Hanging Mesh Rack or Stackable Mesh Racks) The more airflow it has, the faster the sweater will dry, which I why I recommend using a rack instead of laying it on a towel. Keep clothes out of direct sunlight to preserve the color of your garments.

Wet cashmere dries faster than cotton but can still take a couple of days. Real Simple suggests putting your sweater in a salad spinner to expel excess water.

4. Pare off the Pills. Keep sweaters looking fresh season after season with a sweater shaver. A great $7 dollar investment I’ve had mine for almost 20 years. Kids love these little machines – let them do the work! My personal advice is to spend a little more $7 to get a bigger shaver. It’s an closet care item the whole family can benefit from and will keep your sweaters *and you* looking smart.

Left: Remington Fuzz away Sweater Shaver $7.99 
Right: Conair Fabric Defuzzer $11.57

5. Prevent Pills by Washing Your Sweater Inside Out. After you’ve done the hard work of shaving off the little suckers, keep those pills at bay (pun intended) by turning your garment inside out before washing. This works both for machine and hand washing.

6. Don’t Sweat the Snags.  Save a trip to the tailor with these two easy DIY repairs for snags and holes. Fix the snag by turning the sweater inside out, use a sewing needle to pull the extra yarn through to the inside of the garment. Tie a knot to hold the yarn in place. Viola. For holes, see this 5 minute video by Professor Pincushion on How to Repair a Hole in a Sweater. Good as new!

7. Irradicate the Itchiness with Fabric Softener.  Soak a wool sweater in a bucket of water with 2 Tbs of fabric softener for 20-30 minutes after washing. If that doesn’t work try this method from Glamour Magazine using vinegar and hair conditioner.

8. Fold your sweaters to store them. Hanging them like your shirts will cause them to stretch out. See How to Fold Sweaters & Hoodies The KonMari Way (Marie Kondo) by Shaina Leis. Or check out the best way to hang your sweater below. (See my short video.)

9. Minimize Moth Munchers. Keep moths away by using non-toxic breathable moth repellant garment bags or large ziplock storage bags to store you sweaters off season. Cedar blocks and hanger rings are helpful for repelling these hungry pests during fall and winter. Re-sand cedar protectors at the beginning or end of each season as needed to keep them fresh.

9. Refluff a Depuffed Sweater with Vinegar. One to two capfuls (1.5 – 3 Tbs) of distilled white vinegar in the rinse cycle will do the trick. The acetic acid in vinegar works to brighten, soften, and help kill odors in your clothes. It also helps to dissolve residues left by detergents.

10. Vaporize Those Musty Sweater Smells with Vodka. I’m not endorsing going out and buying vodka nor do I judge those who do, but if you happen to have access to the hard liquor, it can be a quick odor eliminating hack to kill stale smells. If vinegar wasn’t successful at freshening up your wooly woobie, you might need something a little stronger. Ahem. Test a small area first, then lightly spritz with vodka from a spray bottle, Finally, lay the sweater to dry in a well ventilated area. Who knew?

Tips taken from the following sources:
Real Simple “How to Clean and Care For a Wool Sweater” 
BUSTLE “6 Sweater Hacks That Will Save Your Knits From Shrinkage, Stains, & Pills”
The Spruce “Top 10 Reasons to Use Vinegar in Laundry”
ThredUP “Sweater Care: 10 Tips For A Long And Happy Life With Your Sweater”

More Resources:
Madewell “How To Care For Your Sweaters: 10 Tips”
The EveryGirl “How To Take Care of Your Sweaters”

Shop Sweater Care Supplies on Amazon:

Household Essentials CedarFresh Clothes Protectors

The Laundress Wool and Cashmere Shampoo

Honest Co. Baby Shampoo

Non-Toxic Breathable Moth Repellant Garment Bags

Hefty Jumbo Ziplock Storage Bags

Growsun Stackable Mesh Racks

HOMZ 3 Tired Hanging Mesh Rack

Left: Remington Fuzz away Sweater Shaver $7.99 
Right: Conair Fabric Defuzzer $11.57

Did you find any holes in your favorite knits this season? Did you keep or toss it? Please share, I’d love to hear!

Comment of the Week comes from artist, Ema, at emakubo.com (see her gorgeous 35 Japanese traditional confections) commenting on “Fail Safe Fall Outfit Formula“:

LOVE this jacket and tee combo!! I’ve been wanting one for years but haven’t committed to one…this is definitely incentive to look more! Anthro has them every season in petites! Thank you for the inspiration!

Thank you Ema! Basics with a printed scarf is an easy go-to outfit for fall and winter. How do you style and wrap your favorite winter scarves? I’d love to hear!

We are linked up with:Jo Lynne Shane| Fashion Should Be Fun | Shelbee On the Edge |Nancy’s Fashion Style

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