There’s no mistaking it – it’s definitely autumn. Time to pack away the slip dresses and denim shorts (sob) and dig out all your woolly jumpers and coats. But if you haven’t stored your winter clothes right, you might find yourself confronted with a funky-smelling cardigan or a moth-eaten jumper. Here’s how to save your cold-weather clothes.
** My clothes smell weird**
Your winter wardrobe can sometimes acquire a pretty nasty odour if it’s been badly stored. Soak them in with one cup of white vinegar and cold water and leave for half an hour, or overnight if they really stink. Wash as normal. Don’t worry about the vinegar smell – it rinses out in the laundry machine.
If you can’t put the item in the wash (furry gilets, I’m looking at you), try putting it in the freezer for a day or two. It should neutralise the smell. Alternatively, spritz the smelliest areas with a mix of one part vinegar and one part water and leave to air-dry.
Why does my jumper have white spots?
That’s mildew, which stains fabric and preys on natural fibres like cotton, silk and wool. Take your garment outside and use a brush to get rid of as much white grossness as possible - this stops the mould spores from scattering in your bedroom. Dab some laundry bleach onto the spots and leave to soak for half an hour. Wash as usual. Sunshine also kills mildew, so hang your clothes outside in direct sunlight (on the off-chance there’s a sunny day, that is).
My leather boots look rank
Define ‘rank’. If they’re scuffed or feature white salt stains from last winter, head here to learn how to wax your boots to a brand new shine. If the heels are looking worn out, it’s worth going to a repair shop to get them professionally re-heeled – your boots will last longer. Local shops are usually better value for money than high street chains like Timpsons. If you’re in London, my vote goes to the cobblers at Well Heeled in Bethnal Green – they work magic on a pair of sad old shoes.
My knitwear has tiny holes
Bad news: you’ve got moths. The holes are caused by larvae, which munch predominantly on woollen clothes. Good news: you can kill them off (and any eggs they may have laid) by putting the garment in a sealed plastic bag and then freezing it for at least two days.
In future, store them with some cedar blocks or lavender sachets to ward off moths. Mothballs can work, but they do contain harmful pesticides – not good if you’re sensitive to chemicals or have allergies.
So how do I mend this hole anyway?
Make like your grandma and get darning. You’ll need a needle and some thread in the same colour as your jumper. Thread the needle without knotting the end of the thread, then drape the jumper inside out over the edge of something round - you could get a darning mushroom, but a plastic bottle will do.
Leaving a small gap of fabric, gently stitch a circle around the hole. Now stitch the thread vertically across the hole. Repeat the process horizontally, weaving the needle over and under the vertical stitches. Trim the string. If you need more guidance, crafty blogger Fat Ponies has close-up photos of the process in action.
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Picture: Lukasz Wierzbowski
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.