If you are like me, you are starting to run out of sweaters and other cold weather friendly clothing to wear to work.  Down here in Miami there isn’t much use of having more than a couple of real warm sweaters, unless you like to travel to cold climates often.  Most of us are beginning or have been using the same 5 sweaters over and over again because of the weather.  On top of there being cold weather, Miamians and other South Floridians are getting some rain, heat, fog, cold and humidity all mixed in one day after another.  This all can take a real toll on our clothes so I’d like to take some time to talk about how we can all take care of those sweaters so they last us as long as possible.

1)      Dry cleaning your sweaters after every time you wear them is not ideal.  If you have not really perspired nor if your sweater hasn’t any stains, don’t take it in to get cleaned.  Allow it to air out and breathe in your home, preferably laying it on top of a clean surface so it won’t stretch, and then put it away – folded.

2)      If your sweater does have a food (or other) stain or you have perspired a great deal (perhaps it was pretty cold in the morning before you left for work and then got very hot midday) you should definitely consider bringing it in to the cleaners.  Trying to clean food stains off of sweaters that shouldn’t be cleaned at home may damage your sweater by either ingraining the stain even more into the garment, transferring dye from the towel or napkin you’re using to take the stain out, pilling the garment in that area, etc.  Sometimes it’s just a good idea to stop in and ask your dry cleaner to perhaps give the sweater a simple spot cleaning if it is possible.

3)      If your sweater is very delicate and has pilled in the areas where the fabric tends to rub on surfaces a lot, for example: underarms, sleeves, pockets, etc. do NOT take a wire brush to the sweater and try to shave the little balls of pilling off that way.  These days you can get yourself a neat little machine, a battery operated pill remover, which shaves off the pilling. It is very safe for the garment and won’t snag it.  You can also take a brand new razor straight to the sweater, but that is very high risk and can absolutely cause you to cut the knitted fibers and create holes.

Here are some quick tips for your sweater-wear:

-         Do not hang your knits up they might stretch if you do that.

-         Do not store a knit if it is damp it can cause your sweater to sag and lose its shape.

-         Do not store a knit if it is dirty or soiled.  This can cause the stain to oxidize, allowing the fabric to deteriorate and create holes and/or burns.

-         Practice shaving knits with a straight razor before actually shaving your sweater.  You can also take your sweater to your dry cleaner to do this for minimum cost.