Sweater care 101

Washing sweaters
According to Smith, the industry standard for caring for most sweaters and yarns is typically:

-turn your sweater inside out
-hand wash in cold water using a gentle detergent
-roll sweater in a dry towel to remove excess water
-reshape sweater
-lay flat to dry

But, she says, the Mark's Work Wearhouse washing instructions for different sweaters are more specific, depending on the yarn the sweater is made from so always check clothing labels before washing and drying your sweaters. Smith's suggestions are as follows:

Wool blends
-cold water wash, delicate cycle
-reshape sweater
-lay flat to dry

Cotton
-cold water wash, delicate cycle
-cool dryer, delicate cycle

Cashmere
-cold water wash, delicate cycle
-reshape sweater
-lay flat to dry

Polyester
-cold water wash, delicate cycle
-cool dryer, delicate cycle

Solutions to sweater problems
Many hazards can befall our favourite sweaters: They shrink in the wash or they lose their shape completely. They fade or they start to pill, making the once-new fabric look old and ratty. So, how do you avoid these potential pitfalls? Here's Smith's advice.

Shrinking
Always follow the care instructions. Cold water is always best. Use a gentle detergent and wash on a delicate cycle. Some sweaters are only meant to be hand-washed to prevent shrinking. Laying the sweater flat to dry will help prevent shrinking. If a sweater can be put in the dryer, do not dry it completely, but rather for a few minutes only; and then take it out and lay it flat to dry.

Pilling
Pilling occurs from rubbing fabric during wear and is usually more noticeable in underarm area and elbows. However, it may be seen throughout the sweater, too. It is best to regularly remove pills from sweaters in order for them to remain neat in appearance. Pills are easily removed by hand, with a sweater shaver or a handheld depiller.

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Losing shape
When storing, always fold your sweaters. If you hang a sweater, its own weight may cause the sweater to stretch out and become longer and misshapen.

Eaten by moths
Do not use mothballs. They have a strong, unpleasant odour and are toxic. Ensure that all sweaters are clean and dry before storing, and that the area they are being stored in is dusted out and vacuumed at the end of each season. Moth damage is caused by larvae, so if a moth lays eggs in a sweater before storage, it can contaminate the entire storage area. If the storage drawer isn't made of cedar, add sachets or cedar drawer liners to keep new moths away from stored clean sweaters.

5 dos and don'ts for properly caring for your sweaters
Smith suggests five tips and tricks to help your sweaters enjoy greater longevity!

1. Don't over-wash sweaters. If they are not dirty, air them out instead of washing them every time they are worn. This will extend the life of the sweater.

2. Do repair sweaters quickly. If you notice a small hole, repair it the moment that you discover it. If you don't, the hole could get larger and get more difficult to repair.

3. Do treat cashmere and other delicates carefully. Because of the softness of cashmere, it is prone to pilling and is much more difficult to care for. Do not wring cashmere sweaters out but instead, roll them in a large towel to remove the excess moisture and then lay flat to dry.

4. Don't ever put your sweaters away when they are still damp. Always ensure that they are completely dry before storing. Damp sweaters may grow mildew or mold.

5. Do wash sweaters on their own or with other delicates. Never wash sweaters with heavy items like towels.

Follow these simple tips to make your sweaters last longer and ensure that you get your money's worth!

And if you happened to slop on your favourite sweater, don't worry. Our stain removal basics will help you get that darned spot out of your top before you put it away.

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Natalie Bahadur is a regular contributor to Homemakers.com and is the editor of StyleAtHome.com.