With the weather cooling off, sweater season is well and truly underway. The question is, how do you keep your sweaters looking pristine throughout the season? Your local dry cleaner in Farragut is here to offer tips on avoiding common pitfalls that can befall your sweaters, including shrinking, stretching, snagging, and pilling. With the proper care and attention to detail, your sweaters will stay looking like new for longer.
One of the most annoying things is when your favorite sweater starts pilling. Unfortunately, there is no avoiding those unsightly little balls of lint; it happens to all sweaters eventually because the fabric rubs against itself. It is especially common in the armpits and elbows, but it can appear anywhere. If left unchecked, your sweater will look unkempt before long. The good news is you can remove them. Hold the sweater flat with one hand and use a razor to slice the pills off one by one carefully. If you need more confidence using a razor, you can also find pill removers for sale. The important thing is that you should never attempt to pull them off, as this only makes them worse.
Next time you snag your sweater, don’t panic and throw it out. It may not be possible to fix the loose fiber, but you can take steps to make sure that it doesn’t unravel the entire sweater by pulling them through to the inside. Turn the sweater inside out, use a crochet hook or safety pin, and carefully pull the snag through the same stitch, so it transfers to the inside of your sweater. It is still there, but it won’t be visible from the outside, and you won’t be at risk of catching it on anything and making it worse.
What most of us love about our cozy sweaters is how soft they are! However, this can be both a blessing and a curse! Fabrics like wool, knot, and cashmere are like a magnet for dust, lint, hair, and other debris! The last thing you want is for this to pile up, so it is essential to brush your sweater at least once a month with a soft brush to remove accumulated debris. A soft child’s hairbrush or soft toothbrush is the ideal tool. Just be cautious of brushing it too harshly, as you may cause unwanted pilling.
As your local dry cleaner in Farragut, one of the best advice pieces we can offer is how to clean your sweaters. Some sweaters are made from fabrics that you cannot simply be thrown into your washer; otherwise, they could end up shrunken and misshapen. It is a much better choice to take your sweaters to your local dry cleaner in Farragut to be washed, especially those made from wool. It is also important to consider how often they need to be cleaned. Cotton and Cashmere sweaters generally need to be cleaned every 2 or 3 wears, but wool and polyester can last up to 5 wears before it needs to be dry cleaned. Unless you spill something on it, don’t wash more than is necessary, as it will wear the fabric out.
Pro Tip! In order to get additional wear out of sweaters, always wear a t-shirt to act as a barrier between your body and the sweater. The t-shirt will absorb any sweat, body oils, and deodorant, meaning you can wait a little longer before taking your sweater to your local dry cleaner in Farragut.
Another big part of keeping your sweaters looking great for longer is storing them correctly. That means you should never hang them in your closet. This is a surefire way to stretch out your favorite sweaters and leave them with weird shapes on the shoulders! To keep your sweaters in shape, you will want to store them either folded or rolled in your drawers or on a shelf. The correct folding method is to lay them flat and fold each sleeve diagonally across the back of the sweater. Then fold it in half horizontally - or if you are rolling it, roll from the bottom up to the collar.
When it comes time to pack away your sweaters after winter, store them in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area. Good locations include a cool, dry closet, airtight chest, or under-bed cardboard box. Avoid using plastic, as this will trap air and moisture, creating a damp atmosphere. It is also essential that they are clean when put into storage, as any stains or body oils may attract pests. Take them to your local dry cleaner in Farragut along with your other winter garments and get everything ready to be stored for next year.
--
Farragut Cleaners is your locally owned and operated full-service dry cleaner. From dry cleaning to alterations and wedding dress preservation to home textiles, we are here to keep you fresh, clean, and looking & feeling impeccable.
Call 865-966-9414 or visit our website.
Admin