| Winter clothes are usually the most expensive | | | | Without proper washing techniques, many winter |
| wardrobe investments, not only because of actual | | | | garments have short lives. If a garment label indicates |
| materials but also because most consumers plan to | | | | that it may be hand washed, it must be done correctly. |
| use these clothes for several seasons. Garments such | | | | Hand washing should be done in cold water with |
| as leather jackets, thick wool sweaters, and the like | | | | quality detergent specifically produced for certain |
| are usually expensive, but are usually justified based | | | | materials. Sweaters should be turned inside out and |
| on how long they will last. However, without proper | | | | gently worked under the water. Pulling, wringing, and |
| winter clothing storage, even the best quality garments | | | | rubbing may seem like useful cleaning strategies, but |
| will quickly deteriorate. By taking a few precautions | | | | really the soap and water should do most of the work. |
| before packing away the winter wardrobe, your | | | | Carefully roll out the soap and water, taking it slow and |
| clothes will last from year to year looking great. | | | | then begin to rinse with more cold water. Several |
| Winter clothes must be clean before they are put | | | | rinses are much better than trying to quickly purge the |
| away. They should not only look clean, but they should | | | | garment of soap. Once all of the bubbles from the |
| also be washed well to remove any unseen stains. | | | | soap have gone, the extra water can be removed by |
| Though certain items may seem stain free, not all | | | | rolling it up in a towel. The main thing to remember |
| stains can be seen immediately. After several months | | | | when drying is not to use tumble dry or an iron. The |
| of storage, some of those invisible stains will not be so | | | | safest drying method is to lay it flat away from any |
| invisible. These kinds of stains may also attract a | | | | direct heat. |
| variety of insects depending on the cause of the stain. | | | | Once the winter wardrobe is clean, the bulk of the |
| Be sure to follow all washing instructions including dry | | | | work is done. Sweaters and knitted clothes are folded |
| cleaning those designated items, most commonly | | | | and put into boxes or drawers. Inserting some cedar |
| cashmere, lamb's wool, alpaca, merino, wool, etc. Do | | | | wood with the wool garments will keep moths away. |
| not use fabric softener with winter clothing that is | | | | Heavy suits and full-length coats should be hung on |
| washed at home. Softener may be used once the | | | | sturdy wooden clothes hangers or strong padded |
| clothes are unpacked in the Fall, but it is better to keep | | | | plastic hangers to keep their form. A crease in pants is |
| them without the smells of fabric softener while in | | | | avoided by hanging pants from the cuff or the hem. |
| storage. | | | | Remember, when clothes are packed away for |
| Most winter clothing is especially vulnerable to washing. | | | | months at a time, creases are difficult to remove. |