Storing sweaters properly ensures they will be ready to wear when you need them again.
When summer is coming to a close and fall is just around the corner, it's time to bring out the sweaters stored away last year. Pulling out your favorite sweater from storage is like meeting an old friend, until you see massive wrinkles and creases that appear permanently etched into the garment. Taking proper care of your sweaters before packing them away for the summer can eliminate the disappointment, cost and extra labor involved in removing wrinkles when autumn rolls around. Does this Spark an idea?
Cleaning
After wearing a sweater, look at it carefully under bright light for any stains or food particles that may have stuck to the nap of the sweater. Light-colored sweaters tend to absorb drippings from fruit and oil which often become permanent yellowish stains if not cleaned quickly. Allow your sweater to "air out" a couple of hours after wearing, removing smoke and food odors, moisture and perspiration. This also aids in minimizing wrinkling. Dry clean or wash all sweaters before storing for the summer.
Folding
Properly folding a sweater after wearing or for seasonal storage assists in preventing wrinkles. Lay the sweater face-down on a flat surface, such as a table or bed, and place a piece of acid-free tissue across the back. The tissue adds stability to the sweater and aids in color retention. Fold one arm straight across the sweater and then fold down. Repeat for the other arm. Fold the bottom up, so it is even with the top. Flip the sweater over and it is ready to store.
Storing
Never hang sweaters on hangers for long- or short-term storage. Hangers tend to make impressions in the shoulder areas that are often permanent. Heavier sweaters can also stretch out of shape when hung on hangers. Fold and store sweaters properly, helping to avoid wrinkles. Sweaters should be stacked on closet shelves, cubicles or cabinets with the heaviest sweaters on the bottom. Closet organizers with pull-out tray shelves are ideal for special, expensive sweaters. Cedar chests work well in repelling moths for seasonal storage.
Tips
Always lay clean, folded sweaters as flat as possible to reduce wrinkles. Placing sweaters in plastic, wooden or cloth boxes with lids for seasonal storage is a good option, but make sure the containers are the right size. If the storage boxes are too large, the sweaters may shift and get bunched up and wrinkled. If the containers are too small, the sides of the sweaters may curl up, promoting wrinkles.
Tags: seasonal storage, after wearing, sweaters before, sweaters properly
