I’ve been noticing that when I wear a soft sweater, I feel softer — more open, at-ease, and a little bit like a heroine in a Nora Ephron film.
Yes, I’m actively trying to romanticize my own life these days, and no amount of eye rolling from anyone will deter me. 🙂
So since my sweaters are getting lots of wear, I thought I’d share the ins and outs of how I take care of them — everything from keeping them fresh between washes, to dealing with pesky pilling, to sweater storage.
Read on for 5 of my best sweater care tips!
1 | Wear a base layer under your sweaters
What’s easier to wash? A dry clean only sweater or a plain cotton tee?
Ummm, easiest answer ever — the tee!
Wearing a tee as a base layer can protect your sweater and keep it cleaner, longer, by creating a barrier between your sweater and your skin. Since your sweater isn’t up next to your skin, it’s less likely to absorb oils and odors. Instead, the base layer takes that hit, while your sweater stays fresh.
Plus, if you’ve got an scratchy wool or mohair sweater, a base layer can help ease the itch factor.
I usually go for a base layer that’s 100% cotton (or at least mostly cotton). If it’s super cold, and I need extra warmth, I like Uniqlo’s Heattech cashmere blend tee. Even though it’s cashmere, these tees are machine washable!
2 | Freshen with a sweater spray
I used to use the Wool + Cashmere spray by The Laundress (still love it!). But I ran out of it a little while back and decided to DIY my own sweater spray instead.
Here’s the recipe I went with:
- 25% vodka
- 75% water
- about 10 drops of essential oils (I used cedar and lavender)
All of my sweaters get a light mist of this stuff every now and then, to repel moths and to keep them smelling fresh.
3 | Wash less, steam more
Most sweaters are labeled dry clean only. But whoa, that can get expensive.
Instead of dry cleaning, steam ’em!
When you think of steaming clothes, the first thing that probably comes to mind is removing wrinkles. But! It does so much more! Steaming sanitizes clothes by actually killing any bacteria that might be lurking in the fibers. Because of that, it can even remove faint odors.
I use a small travel steamer, like this one. It’s an excellent way to “wash” your clothes between washes.
4 | Dry clean or wash with care when you have to
Okay, so you’ve worn a base layer, you’ve used a sweater spray, and you’ve steamed your sweater. But sometimes, you’ve just gotta wash the dang thing.
I try to take my most worn sweaters to a dry cleaner once a year. Even if they don’t look dirty, tiny food and skin particles can attract moths. Eek!
Don’t want to dry clean? You’ve got options:
- HAND WASH: Start with a clean sink (avoid using a bleach cleaner on the sink beforehand). Fill your sink up with cold water and add a mild detergent. I like The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo. Gently agitate any stains or smelly spots with your fingers, then let it soak for about 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly, then roll it up in a towel to get extra moisture off — don’t wring it out. Finally, lay it flat to dry, gently reshaping if needed.
- GENTLE CYCLE: You *could* try putting your sweater in a pillowcase or in a lingerie bag and running it through the washer on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent. But just know I rarely (if ever) do this because it’s a BIG RISK — it can shrink or possibly ruin the sweater. Research the fabric content of your sweater first and proceed with caution.
Some sweaters can look wrinkled after a wash, so give it a quick steam to release the wrinkles and fluff the fibers.
5 | Use a defuzzing comb
High quality knits, low quality knits — most all of them pill and bobble at some point.
The good news is that there’s an inexpensive solution: A defuzzing comb. This little guy will easily eliminate your pills when they pop up. It also works well for yoga pants, flannel shirts, coats, and pretty much anything else that might get pilly.
Battery operated fabric shavers exist too, but personally, I think the comb is easier to use.
How often do I defuzz? Not that often anymore. I mean, I’ll defuzz a bit if a sweater really needs it. But I’ve also come to think that some bobbles on a sweater just make it look extra cozy and well-loved. 🙂
BONUS | Sweater storage
To hang or to fold?
Personally, I keep my sweaters folded in a drawer, but here’s a 20 second tutorial on how to hang them without damaging them.
For long term storage, I keep them where they are, in the drawer of my dresser. Since I really don’t want moths snacking on my sweaters, I try to steam or dry clean them before sweater season ends.
I also keep a few sachets of lavender in my sweater drawer, to act as a natural moth repellant. My sachets are pretty old, but massaging them a bit releases the oils and revitalizes them year after year.
• • •
And there you have it!
Now it’s your turn — got any tips to add to this list? I’d love to hear ’em!
Thanks for reading Unfancy today — it means so much to me that you’re here. Feel free to subscribe at the bottom of the page to keep up with my posts or find me on Instagram.
And if you’re feeling a little stagnant with your winter wardrobe, you can always book a no-buy styling session with me right here. 🙂
