Winters are all about bundling up in layers of clothes and accessories to keep warm. But, how do you keep your precious jackets, sweaters, jackets, scarves, boots etc. in good condition for multiple seasons? We have seen the harsh cold weather wreaking havoc on some of our favourite clothes, from fuzzy balls of wool coming off our sweaters to an unpleasant smell emanating from our chic leather boots and jackets covered with layers of lint. The list of our winter woes never seems to end.
But, over time, we have come up with some great hacks that have helped us get through this chilly weather. Read them here!
1. Pilling Sweaters
There is nothing more annoying than finally finding a sweater in our cupboard of winter clothes, but seeing it covered with tiny fuzzy balls of thread, just after a single wash. We have had to face this, and we hate how bad our sweaters look with ugly bobbies of fuzz all over them! We came to know that this is called pilling.
But, What is Pilling?
Pilling appears on a fabric when groups of short or broken fibres get tangled together to form a tiny knot or ball, also known as a pill.
Did you know that it is extremely important to read garment care labels to know the proper washing method? Ignoring these labels and washing woollens with regular detergent is primarily responsible for pilling. In our attempt to address these issues, we did some research and found that wool, a protein, is very sensitive and needs a detergent specially formulated for this natural fibre.
This interesting tidbit reminded us of our previous experience dealing with some of our most cherished and delicate silk sarees. Silk, too, is extremely sensitive like wool and requires a high degree of care. Going by the rave reviews of some moms for Love & Care Skin Soft Expert Care Wash Liquid Detergent, we decided to try it for our silk sarees. We were glad to see that exactly as per the reviews, the product helped clean them gently and effectively. Our silk sarees looked as good as new even after washing and retained their lustre and shine!
The PollWhere do you generally purchase your woollens care detergent from?
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Thus, we turned to Love & Care Woollens Soft Expert Care Wash Liquid Detergent without thinking twice when it came to our wools.
Its label mentioned that it has no enzymes and thereby prevents any weakening and breakage of fibres. Its pH balanced formula assured us that our delicate woollens will be cleaned gently, and the zero bleach content will ensure the colours of our clothes remain intact.
After repeated washes, we noticed that our sweaters, cardigans, and other woollen garments still retained a new-like appearance and softness, making Love & Care Woollens Soft Expert Care Wash Liquid Detergent immensely appealing to us.
We were also worried about the wear and tear endured by our expensive woollen clothing, but we figured that fabric conditioners can help retain their softness, keep the fibers intact and add that extra shine to them. Here’s what our mommy panel had to say about some of the best fabric conditioners to take extra care of our clothing.
How We Got Rid of Existing Piles on Our Sweaters!
We first placed our garment on a flat surface and then pulled the affected area taut with one hand. This simple step ensured that our garment didn’t tear during the de-pilling process.
We then took a razor and gently shaved upwards using small strokes.
Once we accumulated a pile of fuzz, we used tape to remove it from the fabric. We used packing tape by pressing the sticky side against the material to pick up all the pills.
If you are worried that your sweater may get damaged by the razor, we have also found pumice stones, fine-toothed combs and strips of Velcro effective in removing pills gently.
There are also specific gadgets designed to lift off pills from your garments without damaging your garment. They are readily available online.
2. Hanger Marks
Did you know that you must never hang a woollen sweater? Even we didn’t. Over time (and after making some mistakes), we learnt that when hung, wool garments, especially the heavy ones, stretch out, lose their shape, and even develop unsightly hanger bumps. Hence, as a rule, we always fold our sweaters.
As for the hanger bumps, we first wet our fingers with water and rub our hands over the bumps for about 5 seconds. Once dry, the bumps vanish as the wet fibres shrink back to normal. We have even tried ice cubes for the same.
There are times when we have no space, and need to turn to hangers to store our sweaters. But, now that we know, we fold our sweaters and then place them on the hangers.
3. Stinking Leather boots
We can’t get enough of our leather boots during winters as they not only keep us warm, but are also stylish. However, one can’t deny that they can emanate a rather unpleasant smell when used frequently.
Winter boots are exposed to body heat and moisture, making them a hotbed for odour- emitting bacteria. Thankfully, we have understood how to deal with these lingering odours with some simple solutions.
We’ve found that baking soda is excellent in absorbing these unwanted smells. So, we sprinkle some baking soda into the bottom of our boots. We ensure that the baking soda reaches the toe and midsole areas and allow the boots to sit overnight. The baking soda does a great job of soaking and neutralising foot odours set into the boots’ material. Make sure you shake off the excess baking soda before wearing your boots.
We have also found the combination of vinegar and any essential oil to be great for warding off the pungent stench coming from boots. We spray the vinegar-essential oil solution thoroughly inside and outside of the shoes. This helps offset the foul smell and removes the bacteria causing it.
Even putting tea bags in each boot works well in getting rid of foot odours.
4. Washing & Taking Care of Fleece
We all love our fleece jackets for their texture and ability to keep us warm and cosy. However, we have understood over time that a fleece jacket will stay in good condition only if treated the right way. Following preventive measures like turning the garment inside out before washing to avoid pilling and washing with like colours and with garments that do not produce lint helps prolong its life.
We prefer hand washing our fleece garments with cold water and a mild detergent like Love & Care Woollens Soft Expert Care Wash Liquid Detergent and then air-dry our clothes as it is gentler on the fabric. We’ve learnt that fabric softeners should not be used with fleece as they can compromise the integrity of the material.
Additionally, we have seen that fleece is highly susceptible to piling when exposed to high heat, so we do not expose our fleece garments to the hot cycle of our washing machine and avoid ironing them.
To remove stubborn pet hair embedded in fleece jackets, we have found wiping down fleece with a wet rubber glove to be an effective hack.
5. Dealing with Lint
We know having lint stuck to a favourite outfit can be quite an eyesore, especially if the dress is dark in colour. However, we have some quick solutions to eliminate this pesky problem in no time.
A lint roller works well and is easily available online. For this hack, we move the roller up and down over the garment and see the lint vanish immediately. We have even found our makeup sponge to be extremely handy in removing lint, especially when we don’t have a roller within reach.
A wet sponge or scouring pad dipped in water and squeezed out to remove excess moisture is another easy way to buff away the lint. We achieve a lint-free look by gently rubbing the sponge or scouring pad against the fabric using a downward motion. Remember to work small sections at a time to get rid of the lint effectively.
6. A Run in your Tights
Are you constantly purchasing stockings only because they inevitably end up with a run in them? We used to do the same until we came up with this genius hack that helped us save our stockings every time.
All we do is use a stronghold hairspray on the run the moment we see it beginning to form and prevent it from worsening. The spray does a fabulous job in holding the fibres together temporarily. Pretty cool solution, right?
You can also avoid runs in your tights by moisturising your hands before putting them on or freezing brand new tights before wearing them as the cold temperature strengthens the fibres of the stockings.
GSC Tip:
You can also coat the edges with clear nail polish, which will have the same effect.
7. Never Set Wet Leather Boots by a Heater for Drying
We have done this and regretted it later when we saw the leather dry out and develop cracks on it. So now, whenever we have to dry out leather boots, we follow an easy step-by-step process.
We start by removing any excess water and debris from the shoe with a soft dry cloth. Then we remove the laces and insoles and let them dry separately.
Next, we keep the shoes elevated and stuff them with old crumpled newspapers. We find newspapers highly effective in absorbing moisture, especially when the boots are soaking wet. It may take two-three rounds of newspaper to dry out the boots thoroughly. We then air-dry the boots completely while keeping them away from any source of heat which could wrap and crack the leather.
We hope these simple hacks help you sail through the winter season in style!
You May Also Like to Read: How to Keep your Woollen Hoodie Soft from Inside