Your favorite sweater looked fabulous when you bought it, but frequent wear can make it looked a little rough and stretched-out.
Save yourself the stress of having to find a new favorite sweater and follow some basic fabric care principles to keep your sweaters in tip-top shape.
* Don't wash after every wear. Cotton and cashmere sweaters should be washed after every second wear, while wool or polyester can withstand four or five. Wear t-shirts or tank tops underneath to keep them fresh and reduce friction that can wear down fabric.
* Hand-wash your sweaters, if you can. Use a sink or bucket full of cool water with a tablespoon or two of gentle detergent. Swish the sweater in the water and let soak for 20 to 30 minutes. If hand-washing isn't in your schedule, use your washing machine's delicate cycle.
* Always dry your sweaters flat. Lay them out a drying rack or clean towel to maintain their shape.
* Remove the pills right away to keep them from building up. Don't pull them off — use a gentle fabric shaver or carefully slice the pills off with a razor.
* Merino wool and cashmere pill less than other fabrics, but they are more expensive. A Merino wool blend can be budget-friendly and still have few pills.
* Store them folded or rolled to prevent stretching. If you have to hang them, use a padded hanger.
* Clean your sweaters thoroughly before putting them away for the summer. Store the clean sweaters in a box or chest — avoid vacuum-sealed bags or plastic bins that can trap moisture and yellow the fabric.
