How I Take Care of my Sweaters
Back in the day, I was a total 'deal-hunter' and made many shopping mistakes that left me with clothes I didn't love or want to wear. Quantity over quality—sounds familiar? ;) My main shopping mistake was to pay attention to trends rather than the relevant factors that are the foundation for consciously buying clothes. Now, whenever I think about adding something new to my wardrobe, I ask myself, "Do I really need this?". Then, I carefully look at such items and their quality—construction, material, and little details like buttons and zippers. I admit that I'm a huge advocate for buying clothes from natural materials because they are :
healthier for us,
breathable,
sustainable and better for the environment,
more durable means they can last a lifetime with proper care.
For the last few years, I have tried my best to make conscious fashion choices and minimize my fast-fashion purchases. However, I'd be lying if I said that I don't own anything from popular brands like Uniqlo and H&M. While I do my best to prioritize sustainable brands (because of their values, fair prices, and high-quality pieces), I do have some timeless wool-blended coats from Mango, cashmere jumpers from Uniqlo or H&M in my wardrobe. And here comes the question I often get: How is it possible that my wool and cashmere clothes—especially those from popular high-street brands — look so good even after a few seasons?
I always say that real fashion is not about the price tag or brand label. It's about how you rock your outfit and care for your clothes and accessories. And I admit—I'm such a person who actually enjoys ironing, steaming, or de-pilling sweaters. Kind of weird, right? ;) But I find it super relaxing—plus, I can listen to an audiobook or podcast while doing it. However, caring for winter wear requires a little extra effort. So, today, I'm here to give you some tips (and share my go-to products) on how to keep cashmere and wool sweaters looking good, even after a few seasons of regular use.
Mīere - it's a brand created by one of my favorite bloggers and content creators, Jamie-Lee from the @mademoisellejaime. The grey cardigan is 100% organic cotton and has a relaxed fit. Mīere is also a great place to buy quality staples for your little ones.
Ivory crew-neck cardigan is from Floca - a small female-owned knitwear brand created out of care for the environment and a love for high-quality and well-made clothes to last forever. Everything is made locally and ethically in Spain. I've included both sweaters in my Year of Outfits project, so you'll see them quite often this spring/summer season.
1. Remove fabric pilling.
Let's face it—pretty much all sweaters will pill at some point, no matter where you get them. But don't worry, there's a simple fix! Grab an electric fabric shaver or an affordable sweater comb. Personally, I'm a fan of this handy Pilo Fabric Shaver. It's super gentle yet effective for removing lint and pilling on all kinds of fabrics, whether wool, cashmere, or cotton.
2. Washing.
Dry cleaning is convenient, but those high costs (especially with eco-friendly services) can be a bummer! I'm not really into throwing my sweaters in the washing machine (even the gentle cycle seems risky to me), so I usually hand wash. Just fill up your sink with lukewarm water, add a mild detergent made for delicate fabrics (I use a special soap for cashmere and wool, similar here), then rinse thoroughly. Gently squeeze the sweater between your hands and lay it flat on a towel to dry. It's the best solution for washing cashmere or wool garments, but always check the care label before trying any cleaning method! The only winter items I send to the dry cleaner are my wool coats and blazers once a year.
3. Steaming.
If you are not a big fan of sweaters and wear them only occasionally, but you still want to refresh them—consider investing in a steamer. It doesn't have to be anything big or expensive. Great options are available almost everywhere—from Amazon to more advanced models like this one here.
Honestly, I prefer steaming over ironing! Washing clothes too often can fade their color—and with knitwear, it's not always the best for the fabric. A steamer helps remove wrinkles and gives your wool and cashmere that refreshing boost while also killing bacteria. Trust me, it's a game-changer!
4. Proper storage.
Proper clothing storage is the first step to a tidy wardrobe. It starts with clean clothes, which means the first three tips are essential. After that, it's time to organize! Some prefer a wardrobe arranged by color, and some according to a specific category. I chose the second option because of its functionality.
Many of you have asked me for a closet tour, and I will try to do something like that in future posts. But please note that I don't have a beautiful and Instagram-friendly walk-in closet ;) We live in a one-bedroom apartment, so my husband has his wardrobe in the hallway, and my closet is the PAX system from Ikea. It's small but perfect for keeping my stuff organized, including outerwear, trousers, shirts, and my beloved sweaters. I used to have an extra wooden dresser, but after a major closet declutter, I moved it to the living room and now use it to store all my books.
One of the most common questions about storing my knitwear is whether I hang or fold my sweaters. So, I fold all my sweaters in a drawer (except for long cardigans) because hanging them can mess with their shape. I also pop small sachets filled with dried lavender in my drawers—it smells amazing! Lavender is a natural repellent and keeps insects (for example, moths) away from your closet.
During the warmer months, when I don't need to use my sweaters as often, I have a special way of storing them to keep them fresh and protected. First, I place them in larger cotton dust bags along with lavender sachets to maintain their freshness. Then I put such bags into paper boxes, which I keep at the top of my wardrobe. This method not only helps to save space but also ensures that my sweaters remain in great condition until I need them again. To store my wool coats and long cardigans, I use clothing covers and hang them at the back of my wardrobe to, again, save some space and keep everything clean and neatly organized.
You might be wondering who has the time and energy for today's tips, and I totally understand! But let's be honest: steaming, de-pilling, etc., are not things you do daily, right? Also, it's important to remember that cashmere and wool knitwear are not the cheapest clothing category. Therefore, taking good care of the garments you own is crucial, as it can help you save money in the long run.
Unfortunately, in today's fast-paced world, it's often easier to buy new clothes than to enjoy and care for what we already have in our wardrobes. As you know, I've challenged myself to say 'NO' to new clothes shopping this year. Instead, I'm focusing on giving some extra love to the pieces I already have to keep that special feeling when I wear them. I'm excited to share my experiences with all of you along the way, so stay tuned for some new tips! If I discover any new tricks that help me make my clothes look neat and last even longer, I will surely share them with you!
*This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.