Fall Fabric Care
Cozy up to these five fall fabric care tips to keep your cool weather garbs in tip-top shape for years to come. These easy tips will have your laundry smelling fresh and ready to wear in no time.
Because life gets dirty, and we don’t just sit in a glass bubble all day, all laundry needs to be washed at some point. The same is true of our favorite cozy fall fabrics. However, in order to keep wool, flannel, and fleece looking their best you’ll need to follow some best practices.
1 – Washing Wool
First, allow wool to rest for 24 hours between uses, and only wash when necessary. Nevertheless, wool does get wet out in the wild, but remember, the water is always cold and the drying is always air dry. By applying these same principles to your textiles, they will serve you well for a long time.
Be sure to use a detergent, such as Woolite, made for hand washing. When hand washing, use gentle folds and turns, and never twist. Air dry your wool by laying it flat and flipping the garment halfway through to allow for better air circulation. Never hang it dry because this will only stretch the wool.
2 – Washing Fleece and Flannel
Fleece and flannel is a little bit easier to care for because they can be machine washed. However, there are a few things to remember. Always wash with like fabrics, turn them inside out to prevent pilling, use cool water and gentle cycles. If bacteria is a concern, use a laundry sanitizer.
3 – Cozy Blanket Care
We have read and heard mixed message on blankets and fabric softener. Some say to use it for a softer feel, and others say not to. We don’t recommend using it on anything that is hand washed as it will leave a residue and can build up over time. However, I personally use fabric softener on my fleece bedding and even on my cozy blankets, and they are just as soft as ever. So, we’re leaving that choice up to you. When in doubt, read your laundry care label.
4 – Faux Fur
Faux fur is a popular item in everything from blankets to rugs to coats and boots. Yes, you can machine wash it, but hand washing will be more gentle. We recommend that you follow the tag instructions. If machine washing, use a gentle cycle, cold water, and a mile detergent. If the fur appears matted once it dries, try using a pet brush to renew its fluff.
5 – Sherpa
Sherpa is another material that can look great when new, but after one wash can become junk if you don’t wash it properly. Hand wash or machine wash on a delicate cycle in cold water with a mild detergent. Don’t use fabric softener and if the material appears matted, gently use a bristle brush to restore it.
As always, we recommend that you read the care instructions printed on your fabric’s label.
