5 ways to make winter washing easier

Warm nights, hot cocoa, and mornings with crisp air are all benefits of winter. The season can be a time of great delight, but it can also be a time of irritation — thanks to laundry. Clothes take longer to dry in the winter, but with better planning, you can keep up with your laundry.

Here are some ways to make your winter laundry easier and more efficient.

Treat stains and dirt immediately

Washing winter clothes is more of a hassle given that these clothes are heavy and take longer to dry. Although you might be tempted to wait until the end of the season, set-in stains are more difficult to remove and have higher chances of being permanent. Instead, apply a stain-remover to ugly imperfections and take care of stains as soon as you notice them.

Hand wash

Hand-washing knitted sweaters and scarves is ideal for protecting the integrity of the fabric and material. Fill a basin, sink, or a large container with cold water and use a mild detergent for the washing process. Be sure to turn the sweater inside out and then immerse it in the water taking proper care not to stretch the fabric. Afterward, drain the soap water and use clean cold water to rinse repeatedly until the detergent is gone.

Maintaining sweater shape

Lay the sweater out and draw its outline on a large piece of paper before washing it. After washing, place the sweater on the parchment and reshape it to suit the outline. Wrap the sweater in a towel to absorb any excess water and give it time to dry flat.

Ventilation is important

If you are drying your clothes indoors, open your windows to let fresh air easily enter your rooms. In addition to preventing moisture damage, fresh air can improve the atmosphere within your home. On days when you have damp clothing drying indoors, it is crucial to air your home even more.

When possible, hang outside

Sometimes, winter days are chilly yet sunny; on such days, drying clothes outside is the best option. Even though it would probably take the entire day, light cotton fabrics like shirts and bedding will dry entirely if they are left outside. Drying clothes outside keeps them feeling fresh and prevents moisture build-up in the fibres that can promote unpleasant musty odours.

Also, keep in mind that you are less likely to sweat during winter and you will not need to wash frequently. For heavier winter clothes, opt to wash them two to three times during this season and let them air out in between wears. Additionally, wearing extra layers of lighter clothing underneath your winter wear would also lessen how much you would need to wash your sweaters. Lastly, be sure to give your winter clothes one last wash and dry them properly before packing them away to ensure their longevity.