Your Essential Guide to Sweaters: How to Launder, Store, and Care for Your Sweaters

There are some important tips to keep in mind when deciding how to wash and store your sweaters. There are many mistakes that consumers make when caring for their sweaters. Below you'll find some helpful tips to properly care for all your sweaters.

It is extremely important to read the care labels on each sweater prior to laundering. Sweaters made out of materials such as cashmere and merino wool usually require hand washing only. There are certain sweaters that can be thrown in the washing machine, such as those made out of supima cotton, but hand washing is best to preserve the life and look of these sweaters.

One important tip on storing your sweaters is to pay attention to how you are storing them. You should avoid wire and plastic hangers if at all possible. Ideally, you should store your sweaters by neatly folding them and laying them flat, either in drawers or on shelves. One possibility if you have limited drawer or shelf space is to purchase clear under-the-bed storage bins and store your sweaters neatly in there. Number the totes with a self-adhesive sticker and simply create a master list of which sweaters are stored in each tote. This way they will be easy to retrieve. If you have limited drawer space and must hang your sweaters up, opt for wooden hangers or fabric-covered hangers. These options will reduce the amount of stretching and pulling that occurs to the shoulder area of your sweaters, and it will prolong the life of your sweaters.

Storing your sweaters off-season is another area that requires particular care and attention. You should never attempt to store a sweater that is not clean. Make sure your sweaters have been properly laundered before storing them for the season. You definitely don't want to hang your sweaters to store during the off season, as they will be hanging for a prolonged period of time and can be stretched beyond repair. Although it can be tempting for convenience sake, you should avoid storing your sweaters in the basement or attic because these areas are not usually climate-controlled. If you don't have enough storage space in your main living quarters, you might want to rethink your clothing purchases. Only buy enough clothing items that you can maintain and store properly.

Avoid moth balls if at all possible. The lingering smell they leave is anything less than pleasant, and they are no longer the preferred method of deterring pests. Cedar blocks are a much better option for repelling pests. Properly laundering your sweaters before storing them also can decrease pests.