Sweater Care 101
Plus tips for storing them away as the weather warms
Spring is here! Warmer weather is on the horizon, which means storing sweaters away for a while, depending on where you live. Wool and cashmere sweaters can be an investment and will last for years if taken care of. In this post, you’ll find tips for caring for your wool and cashmere sweaters and storing them properly. Let’s get to it!
Sweater Care 101
1. Wear a base layer
Wearing a base layer under a wool or cashmere sweater not only reduces the itch factor but also keeps the sweater cleaner. A base layer creates a barrier between the sweater and your skin, so it’s less likely to absorb odors and oils. I buy base layers that are soft, fitted, breathable, and a bit stretchy. Here are a few I own: one, two, three. You can also wear a plain tee shirt.
2. Take care of pilling immediately
Pilling happens with all cashmere (even high-quality cashmere) and thinner wool due to friction. Crossbody purses and seatbelts can cause pilling, and pilling is typical in areas such as armpits, sleeves, elbows, and the front. Luckily, a cashmere comb is an inexpensive solution for the pilling. To remove pills, lay your sweater on a hard surface, hold it taut, and comb in one direction (I usually comb down). I try to remove any pills after wearing my sweaters so they’re ready to go for the next time. The pills remove pretty easily and make your sweater look new again!
3. Refresh your sweaters
Air your sweaters out for 24 hours after wearing them before re-wearing or putting them away. You can use a steamer to sanitize them and remove any wrinkles, and you can deodorize them with a sweater spray. The sweater spray removes odor, has antibacterial properties, and is a natural moth-repellant. After wearing them, I often spray my sweaters and ensure they’re completely dry before storing them.
4. Wash carefully
Cashmere is breathable and has antimicrobial properties, so feel free to wear your favorite cashmere up to five times between washes. Washing too often can cause excessive pilling. By the way, most sweaters do not need to be dry cleaned. They can be washed at home.
There are two methods for washing cashmere and wool:
Hand wash: Fill the sink or tub with cold water, add a mild detergent (this one is my favorite), soak for 15 minutes, rinse with cold water (my favorite doesn’t require rinsing), gently squeeze out the excess water, roll in a towel to remove any leftover moisture, reshape, and lay flat to dry.
Machine wash: Place the sweater in a laundry bag, use a mild detergent, and wash on the gentle cycle. Reshape and lay flat to dry.
To spot clean: Dip a Q-tip into a mild detergent, lightly rub the stain with the Q-tip, soak the area for 15 minutes, rinse, and lay flat to dry.
5. Store sweaters properly
Always fold or roll your sweaters! Hanging them can cause them to stretch out and get those funky hanger bumps in the shoulders. Store your sweaters in a cool, dry place. Storage in a basement isn’t recommended because most basements are too damp, and moisture attracts moths.
Short-term storage: Store them in a drawer, a breathable cotton bag, or on a closet shelf. You can keep them folded or rolled. Use cedar balls or lavender sachets to repel moths. They are natural repellants and smell great, unlike mothballs, which are toxic and smell awful.
Long-term storage: Clean your sweaters before storing them for the warmer months. Moths are attracted to the oils and dirt that accumulate on wool and cashmere, so clean sweaters are less likely to attract bugs. Tuck away your clean sweaters in a cedar chest, an airtight plastic tote, or a vacuum-sealed bag until sweater season returns!
“A cashmere knit is like a book. It is something to save and go back to time after time. It is the feeling of an embrace.” —Brunello Cucinelli
Do you have any care tips for cashmere and wool? Please share in the comments.
*This post contains an affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Buying items through my links helps support my writing. I only ever recommend products I use and love. Thank you ❤️
Sometimes I use a new disposable razor to get rid of the pilling. A little tip from Ellie. ;)
Natalie, I had no idea! These are such great tips to look after sweaters - even down to the simple point you made of folding or rolling them, rather than hanging. I hadn’t thought of that! And I loved your links to the pilling comb, your favorite soap and the cedar balls. Awesome info to have, thank you! Xx