The rain, sleet, and snow that often accompany the colder months can make it tough for anyone to keep their wardrobe clean. However, just because the weather is lousy doesn’t mean you slack on your laundry. Not washing your clothes for too long can leave them looking dirty and smelling bad. It can also cause the fabric to break down, which will shorten the life of your clothing. So how often should you wash your winter clothes?
Keeping Different Types of Winter Clothing Clean and Fresh
1. Coats
From heavy wool coats to lighter raincoats, it’s important to keep your outerwear clean and fresh. Depending on how often you wear your coat, you should aim to wash it every few weeks.
To wash a coat, start by checking the care label—most coats can be machine-washed, but some may require dry cleaning. If your coat is machine-washable, set the washing machine to a gentle cycle and use a mild detergent. After washing, hang your coat up to dry. If you must put it in the dryer, set it to the lowest heat setting. Once it’s dry, give your coat a good shake to help eliminate any wrinkles.
2. Sweaters
Heavy sweaters also come in handy in making us comfortable and warm during winter. However, like coats, these winter wears need to be washed often, mostly after two to three wears. You wouldn’t want your body oils and dead skin to wear them out.
When washing sweaters, especially wool and cashmere sweaters, remember they’re delicate and you’ll need to take extra care when washing them. These sweaters should be hand-washed in cool water using a mild detergent. Be sure to avoid hot water, which can cause the fabric to shrink. Then lay your sweater flat on a towel to dry. Once it’s dry, you can gently stretch it back into shape.
If you’re short on time, you can also machine-wash your wool or cashmere sweaters on a gentle cycle. Just be sure to use a wool-specific detergent and wash them in a mesh bag to protect them from snagging. After washing, lay your sweaters flat to dry or machine dry on the lowest heat setting. Be sure to take them out of the dryer while they’re still slightly damp so you can stretch them back into shape.
3. Hats, Scarves, and Gloves
Unlike your other winter clothes, you’ll probably be wearing your hats, scarves, and gloves more often. This means they’re more likely to become stained or start to smell. To keep them clean, wash them after every few wears.
Most hats, scarves, and gloves can be machine-washed on a gentle cycle. Just be sure to use a mild detergent. But if your hat is made of delicate material like straw or wool, hand-wash it instead. After washing, lay your hats, scarves, and gloves flat to dry or machine dry on the lowest heat setting.
4. Jeans
Your jeans are some of the most versatile and durable pieces in your wardrobe, so you can wear them a few times before washing. And with the cold climate, you may be able to get away with wearing your jeans for a week or two before washing them.
To machine-wash your jeans, set the washing machine to a gentle cycle and use a mild detergent.
After washing, machine-dry your jeans on a low heat setting or hang them up to air-dry. If your jeans are still stiff after drying, throw them in the dryer on a medium heat setting for five to ten minutes, as it will help soften them up.
5. Boots
Your boots are exposed to all sorts of elements during winter, so it’s important to keep them clean. Depending on how often you wear them, you should aim to wash your boots every few weeks.
To wash your boots, start by removing any dirt and mud with a damp cloth. You can also use a toothbrush to get into any nooks and crannies. Once they’re clean, set them up to dry. If your boots are made of leather, you can also use a leather conditioner to help keep them soft and supple.
Sit Back, Relax and Let Us Take Care of the Hard Work for You!
Now that you know how often to wash your winter clothes, why not leave it to the professionals? At My Butler Service, we understand that not everyone has the time to wash their clothes as often as they’d like. That’s why we offer a reliable and convenient dry cleaning, laundry, and ironing service. Contact us today to find out more about our services.