Fall is finally upon us which means you can finally bring out all of your favorite fall clothes. You know what we're talking about - all the new flannels, sweaters, fleece jackets, hats and scarves you've been tucking away these past few weeks! But with fall attire also comes questions like "how often are you supposed to wash" some of these pieces? Do you wait until it smells? Can you wash it at home in the washing machine or should it be dry cleaned? So, with that in mind, let's talk about how to properly care for your favorite fall clothing.
How to Care for Your Favorite Fall Clothing: Sweaters and Flannel
It may not be quite cool enough YET for sweaters or flannels, but we've heard that a cold front is blowing in soon so you'll be pulling them out before you know it! That said, before you start wearing your favorite sweater again, it may be useful to know how to properly care for your favorite fall clothing.
There are a variety of materials used to make sweaters, so the type of care required depends on the type of material. For example, cotton, flannel and cashmere fabrics should be watched every 2 to 3 years as the fabrics are quite delicate. These types of fabrics tend to soften with each wash. Meanwhile, fabrics such as wool and polyester or acrylic blends can usually withstand up to 5 wears. We find that a lot of people actually prefer to wear wool sweaters because they don't require much maintenance and do a wonderful job of naturally repelling dirt, dust, and liquids better than other materials.
If you're concerned about ruining your favorite sweater, your safest bet is to hand-wash or use the delicate cycle on your washing machine. You should also FOLD rather than hang your sweaters to avoid moths and to maintain shape.
How to Care for Your Favorite Fall Clothing: Fleece Jackets and Sweatshirts
Another favorite fall weather item is a fleece jacket or sweatshirt. These are often worn much more often than sweaters (daily even), but don't need to be washed that frequently. In fact, you should be able to go 6 or 7 wears before needing to wash a fleece jacket or sweatshirt.
That said, if you want to keep sweatshirts and fleece soft and cozy (rather than full of static), make sure that you turn those pieces inside out and only wash with like colors and fabrics. Do NOT wash fleece with towels because the lint for the towels can stick to fleece like glue. You'll also want to use a longer wash cycle to avoid any leftover detergent residue. Make sure to hang items to dry and do not use dryer sheets (especially if your fleece jacket has a water-resistant finish) as dryer sheets tend to reduce the fabric's effectiveness.
How to Care for Your Favorite Fall Clothing: Down-Filled Jackets and Vests
Do you enjoy wearing puffy jackets or vests during the cooler months, but don't know how to properly care for your favorite fall clothing? Luckily, these types of items require minimal washing (like only once or twice per season). Washing down any more than that can cause the feathers inside to break down and tear.
As such, when you do wash your down-filled jacket or vest, make sure that you wash any similar pieces together (yes - in the washing machine) in cold water with mild detergent. Once items have been washed, you can tumble dry on low with three clean tennis balls to help redistribute the feathers and prevent clumping. You may need a few cycles for them to fully dry.
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Stay tuned for more tips on caring for your favorite fall clothing. And, if you're opening a new commercial laundromat, laundromat payment solutions are just one of the things you need to consider. Call T & L Laundry Equipment for all your laundry equipment in North Carolina. We offer in-house financing and have been proudly servicing the laundromat and commercial laundry facilities in North and South Carolina for more than 40 years.
