1. How to take care of a wool coat
Step 1 - Check the care label
The first step in caring for your wool coat is to check the care label. Here you will find all the key information that will prevent you from damaging your coat. For example, some garments are dry clean only, so you will have to take them to a professional for cleaning. Or, you may find that your jacket needs to be hand washed or machine washed at a low temperature. All garments are made from different yarns and fibers. Therefore, it's important to check the instructions before you start.
Step 2 - Brush the coat
To remove any surface dirt and gusts, pick up a clothes brush and gently stroke the coat, making sure you only move it in one direction, from the collar to the hem. If you don't have a clothes brush, a damp cloth will suffice.
Step 3 - Spot clean the coat
Before you wash your coat, look carefully over the garment and find any marks, food stains, or splashes that may have landed on the coat. Use a small amount of mild detergent with your finger and rub the mark in circular motions to gently lift the dirt. It is recommended that even if there is no staining, you should spot clean collars, cuffs, and any other areas that are easy to catch dirt and stains.
Step 4 - Decide if you should wash the coat by hand or in the washing machine
From step 1, you should have determined whether your coat is to be hand washed, machine washed, or dry cleaned. For hand washing, go to step 5. For washing in a machine, go to step 6.
Step 5 - Hand washing your wool coat
To hand wash your coat, you will need to do this in your bathtub or if you do not have one, the kitchen sink will be perfect. You need to fill the tub with lukewarm water. Ensure the water is not too hot as this can shrink the wool. Add around 29 ml of either a wool shampoo which is a liquid detergent or a baby shampoo if you are unable to find the above.
Immerse the coat into the tub and push it down until it stops floating. Leave the coat to soak in the detergent for 30 minutes and then with your hands, squeeze the water into the coat to ensure every fiber is getting cleaned.
Leave the coat once again for anywhere between 1 to 2 hours and then come back and rub away any dirt and soiled areas with your fingers. Although many people recommend using the wool itself to remove marks, this causes felting which cannot be reversed, so always use your hands.
Drain your bathtub and wipe any residue from the tub, then refill with fresh lukewarm water. Gently move the coat around in the water until there is no soap left in the coat.
Step 6 - Washing your wool coat in the washing machine
If the care label has given you the go-ahead to wash your coat in the washing machine, do not just throw it straight in. Begin by soaking the coat in warm water and detergent for 30 minutes to prevent shrinkage and loosen any dirt. Then, turn the coat inside and out and place it in a wash bag. This is to prevent the coat from rubbing or getting snagged against the washer. If you do not have a wash bag feel free to use a pillowcase or a bed sheet and tie a loose knot around the top.
Set your machine to a lukewarm temperature, either 30 or 40 degrees, and ensure the setting is delicate for around an hour.
Step 7 - Drying your coat
After washing by hand or machine, gently squeeze out excess water from top to bottom. Be sure not to wring your coat, as this will stretch and twist the fibers and your coat will not fit as well as it did.
Grab a towel, roll the coat in it and very gently squeeze the towel to help it to absorb any excess water. Once this step is complete, unroll the coat and place it flat onto a dry towel. Do not hang the coat as this can cause it to become misshapen and putting it into a tumble dryer can potentially shrink the coat.
The drying process may take 2 to 3 days, so make sure that you flip the coat every day to ensure both sides are fully dried.
2. How to care for your sweaters
It's finally sweater season and time to break out all your old favorites and of course shop for some new ones. Here are 10 tips to help you keep all your sweaters looking great all through the season…and beyond.
1. Sweaters should always be folded. Never hung. The best way to prevent peaks in the shoulders and preserve the shape of your sweater is by keeping them in drawers or on shelves, folded or rolled. If you must hang your sweater, fold it over the hanger with some tissue paper, so a crease doesn't appear.
2. A good rule of thumb is to wash your sweater less often. (Wear it two or three times before washing it) Bring it to Fashion Cleaners for the highest quality and care.
3. To shrink a sweater that has stretched out, you should wet the sweater down, then put a dryer on very high heat until it is scorched. The more water you add to the sweater, the more it will shrink. If your sweater is warped, you can customize it only for those specific areas.
4. Pills on sweaters unfortunately are inevitable, but getting rid of them is pretty easy. Hold the sweater flat with one hand, and slice the pills off with a razor. You can also buy pill removers online.
5. The best way to fold or roll your sweater is to lay it front down on a flat surface. Fold one arm into the center and then fold the other one. Fold the sweater in half horizontally then turn it right side up and repeat with the rest of your sweaters.
6. Because fall and winter last for so long, it is important to thoroughly clean your sweaters before it's time to store them away in a breathable clothing storage bag.
7. When you do store your seasonal clothing it's a good idea to throw some cedar or lavender in a satchel. Pesky bugs don't like it and will steer away from your clothes.
8. To remove dandruff, hair, and lint purchase a baby or child's soft brush. The softness from the brush will let you easily brush off those hard to get rid of sweater companions.
9. Take great care of cashmere and other delicate items like mohair, angora, and lambswool. The softness makes it prone to pilling and deterioration.
10. Give your sweaters a break. Wearing it every day will cause it to lose its shape and build up hard stains.