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Winter Clothing Care Tips

November 29, 2012

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It’s official, winter is upon us.  We can’t pretend it’s still fall anymore, as much as we might like to.  People are wearing scarfs and toques and department stores everywhere are setting up their Christmas displays.  Sure it’s getting colder, but at least you can show off your winter wardrobe now, right?  Cashmere sweaters, wool coats, you name it!  Just because you’re bundled up doesn’t mean that you can’t look stylish.

To make sure your winter clothes look their best, proper care and cleaning is essential.  Here are some tips for looking after some of your favourite winter fabrics:

Wool

Wool is a great winter material – it’s tough, flexible, and a good insulator.  It does however require a bit more care when it comes to cleaning.  When wool is washed with water the natural fibers swell up, which can lead to distortions in shape and eventual damage.  Garments made from 90% wool or higher should be dry-cleaned so, as always, make sure you read the washing instructions carefully.  If does say dry clean only, drop it off with us.  We’ll take care of things.

For garments with lower wool percentages, hand washing is recommended.  Use only mild detergents and avoid excessive scrubbing.  When clean, rinse the garment and lay flat to dry.  You can also dab the item with a towel to soak up the water.  Wool can be ironed, but it’s recommended that you put a towel between the iron and the garment to prevent damage.

 

Polar Fleece

 

Polar fleece garments are another popular item during the winter months.  They’re lightweight, warm, and have water repellent qualities. Fleece fabrics have a distinct napped finish and as a result have a tendency to “pill” with use.  We recommend cleaning polar fleece in a net or mesh bag to minimize the risk of further pilling.  It’s also recommended that you wash fleece items inside out and use mild detergents, as harsher detergents can cause fleece garments to lose their water-repellent qualities.

Hang drying is recommended but if you do use a dryer, use the lowest setting and take the item out as soon as it’s done.

Never use bleach or iron fleece as both can damage the material.

Leather

You can hand clean leather yourself with soap and water but we recommend having it professionally cleaned.  At Parkers we clean leather and suede and not only remove dirt and stains but replenish the natural oils that a leather or suede garment can lose over time.  We can also repair damaged or faded garments, so if your leather jacket’s seen better days, bring it in and we’ll have it looking like new in no time.

More of a winter accessory fan? We also clean toques, scarfs, gloves, and pretty much any other cold weather item you can think of – even UGGs! Bring in your winter wear and we’ll help make this your warmest and most stylish winter yet.

Skip The Hassle

Of Dropping Off and Picking Up Your Clothes

With Parkers free pickup and delivery service, you can enjoy the convenience of dry cleaning at your fingertips. Simply schedule your pickup online or by phone, and we’ll handle the rest.

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