Things You'll Need:
- sealable plastic bags - 1-2 gallon size
- or acid free tissue and boxes
- moth deterrents like cedar blocks, herbal products, moth balls, etc. depending on your sensitivity
- clothes brush
- smaller clothes brush to remove pilling, this should be a stiff short bristled brushed. In a pinch a hard grade toothbrush or nail brush can be used
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Step 1
The first thing to do for your fine knits is to keep them clean. This does not mean to take them to the dry cleaner after every wearing. Far from it, as constant dry cleaning will take years off the life of wool and cashmere knits. It is best to put on your best go over the garment after it has been worn and check for any soiled areas before storing. If found, either spot clean with a damp cloth or brush out the spot. You can also more easily brush away any pilling (little fuzz balls) after each wearing. Use a small stiff bristled brush. Work on a flat surface and only brush a few square inches at a time. This will make the job easier and it won't take long at all! A good airing for a few hours can freshen a wool or cashmere item. Even hanging in a well vented bathroom will work if you do not have a screened porch or window.
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Step 2
Of course if a more serious stain has occured, then take it to a dry cleaner promptly. Allowing a stain to set for days can make the difference of whether it can be removed or not. Be sure to let the dry cleaner know what has caused the stain. And do use the best dry cleaner in town for something like this. Contact a better men's clothing store and ask their alterations manager who they might recommend, if you are not sure which dry cleaner to use.
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Step 3
Solid color wool or cashmere sweaters can often be hand washed and will greatly benefit from this. There are several excellent websites with instructions for handwashing knits! So check them out under terms like sweater care and cashmere care. Handwashing, even if only done occasionally between dry cleanings, will go far in retaining the softness and color of your fine knits. If your sweater has become dry and brittle from dry cleaning, a hand washing will go a long way towards restoring it's original character. This is assuming that it can be handwashed. In general stick to solid colors to avoid having the colors run. See the websites mentioned above for more instructions.
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Step 4
Okay, so now your fine knits are clean. The next step is to protect them from moths, silver fish, carpet beetles and the like. One of the best things that you can do is to keep each item in it's own sealable plastic bag. This will be fine for storing items between seasons. If your items need to be stored for a year or longer it would be better to store them in acid free containers. This will help prevent aging and yellowing. Acid free tissue and boxes are available online.
Individually bagging your items will at least keep damage to as few items as possible. But it will also keep your knits 'fresh' if they have been cleaned before storing.
There are many moth deterrents available. Use ones like cedar blocks or herbal sachets if you are sensitive to chemicals. On the other hand, moth balls and other such chemical products can be effective. Use them according to instruction. And Yes! the smell of moth balls will go away if the item is given 3-4 days in a well vented (preferably unoccupied) room to dissipate.
Comments
Lona said
on 11/19/2008 More information on handwashing cashmere: I have found that most cashmere (check the care label first) can now be washed in a washine machine on the hand wash cycle, rather than having to take it to the dry cleaners. Make sure you use a wool & delicates washing liquid and a cool gentle setting on your machine. Dry flat and iron if you need to. More at http://www.cashmereshopping.co.uk/cashmere_care.html, my cashmere jumpers have lasted for ages using this method!