Know More about Dry Cleaning: Sweater Care
Sweater weather is upon us. While that means there’s pumpkin spice everywhere, and that your menu is shifting from things on the grill to things from a slow cooker, it also means those very cozy sweaters you love to wear may benefit from some attention.
Unfortunately, sweaters can be more difficult to care for at home than almost all other garments. Think about it, when caring for your sweaters, you have probably experienced:
Sweater shrinkage
Sweater stretching
Pills and pulls
Fading and wear
Loss of general shaping
And to make matters worse, the finer and softer a sweater, the more tricky it’s upkeep becomes. While many cotton sweaters hold up under the traditional cleaning process, it is always a good idea to consider the benefits of dry cleaning them. In fact, some of the coziest sweaters are made as “dry clean only” garments.
Cashmere, silk, angora, wool...these are all materials that last longest and look their best with professional cleaning. If your sweater has a stain, has lost shape, is covered with pills, it is definitely sweater season...dry cleaning sweater season!
A dry cleaning expert is always your best resource for long-term maintenance of your delicate to durable sweaters
Below, we provide our top at-home sweater care and maintenance tips, but try to keep in mind that they can only take you so far, and that it is always best to have your finest sweaters professionally cleaned at least twice each year (once at the end of sweater season, and again in the middle of the season to prevent stains or other issues from worsening or becoming permanent).
Top Sweater Care Tips
Fold sweaters, don’t store them on hangers. Give them ample room in a drawer (cedar is best) and never smoosh them, as this can ruin their shape
If your sweater has some lint, hair or fuzz, use a soft bristle garment brush
If the label says “Dry Clean,” never wash it at home
Always deep clean sweaters before long-term storage and keep them in cedar chests or with natural insect repellants
Try not to wear heavy garments (such as coats or blazers) over a sweater as the friction can harm the sweater and shorten its lifespan
If hand washing a sweater, always turn it inside out and remove excess moisture by rolling it in a damp towel. Lay it flat and reshape it before allowing it to air dry - and never put your sweaters in the dryer
Dry cleaning is nearly essential for wool and wool blends, but sweaters made of acrylic, angora, cashmere, chenille, cotton, silk, and even synthetics benefit greatly from expert care. Additionally, the best way to preserve the color and texture of your sweaters is to get them dry cleaned. Being professionally cleaned, steamed and pressed, and fixed with small repairs will ensure a long lifespan. Always, check care labels and when necessary, bring your best sweaters to Oak Hill Dry Cleaners to provide them with the professional care they need to stay looking and wearing their best for years to come.
We specialize in high-quality garment care and offer our readers a Sweater Weather Special*. Bring in four or more sweaters and get $5 off your order. Just mention the “Sweater Weather Special,” and we’ll apply the deal at payment!
*Valid 10.9.20 through 10.17.20 - Single Use only