One way I want to encourage you all to relax is to enjoy the outdoors! Get outside for some fun in the snow (if you have snow near you), winter activities (paddle anyone?) or for a simple walk through the park or around town. This means you’ll be putting your outerwear to good use. In the spirit of the Laundry Line, I, of course, also have to share tips on how to approach and care for this particular section of your wardrobe.
Job one is weeding through your pile of mismatched gloves and mittens, and saying so long to ones that are missing their mates. For those that survive, check for wear and tear including ripped linings, missing buttons, holes in the thumb, etc.
Assess your anorak (and your top coat too). Most ‘puffer-like’ down-filled jackets are washable. Check labels for specific washing instructions and make sure you use the right detergent. Today’s front-loading High Efficiency (HE) machines are great for washing bulky winter wear; just make sure to use specially formulated HE detergent. Using a non-HE detergent in an HE machine can lead to oversudsing, which is both detrimental to your washer and can prevent your clothes from getting a full rinse.
Hats off – from baseball caps to knit caps to berets, all can benefit from a once over. Here’s a tip: put a soiled baseball cap on the top rack of your dishwasher (along with a full load of dishes) and wash as usual. Voila, your cap will look as good as new.
Wash ‘n wear. Not sure what to wash and what to dry clean? Following is a good rule of thumb: items made out of wool or silk should be dry cleaned (from coats to scarves). Items such as fleece jackets, vests or acrylic scarves are typically safe to wash. Be sure to read the washing instructions, however, and wash in cold water.
Weather-proof it! Take time to weather proof your favorite pair of suede boots before you step outside. Using a spray-on waterproof product specifically designed for suede or nubuck can help protect them from snow, slush, sand and salt.
Scarves and earmuffs are “musts” this time of year. Check wool or cashmere scarves for holes, snags or pulls. These should be dry cleaned at the beginning and end of every season.
Make sure you’re ready to face the elements – check zippers, buttons, toggles, etc. If a zipper is broken, don’t despair. It’s often less expensive to have it fixed than invest in a new jacket.
Hope you all get the chance to enjoy friends and family these next few days, and here’s to a wonderful 2011…see you next year!
Kristen
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