Winter is creeping up on us, and slowly but surely, we’re unpacking our favourite knits and warm bedding. It’s only a matter of time before the autumn wardrobe becomes too cold to wear.
That’s why we’ve rounded up what needs washing in November, so you can get ahead of the game before things are needed. Wash these things now and you’ll save yourself from musty smells and surprise stains. Here’s where you should start.
Puffer jacket
The puffer jacket is reserved for only the coldest months, but we’re always reluctant to wash it for fear of clumpy filling. If you’ve done this before, you’ll know what we’re talking about – the filling wads at the bottom of each panel of the coat and it loses its fluffiness. But it is possible to avoid this laundry mishap.
First, you need to look at the washing instructions on the care label. You need to follow these to a T, even if they say dry clean or hand-wash only. If your puffer jacket can go in the washing machine, start by emptying the pockets, turning it inside out and zipping it up. Generally, you’ll be advised to use a cool delicate cycle to avoid damage. We recommend using non-bio detergent for synthetic filling, or a specialist detergent for down, like Nikwax Down Wash. You should also run an additional rinse cycle to remove all soapy residue.
Dry in the dryer if the label allows and keep taking it out and shaking it to break up the filling. Wool dryer balls will help speed up the process. If you’re line drying, the same rules apply – shaking it out is key to redistribute the filling.
Scarf and gloves
Before you adorn your scarf and gloves, when was the last time you washed them? These are one of the few things we wear, but never wash – that changes today. Start by looking for a care label to follow. If none are given, we suggest putting these accessories in a mesh laundry bag and using the wool or delicate cycle on a low temperature in your washing machine. It’s a good idea to pad out the load with sheets so they’re not the only thing being tossed around.
If you’re attached to your scarf and gloves and you don’t want to risk the washing machine, you can hand wash instead with a detergent for delicates, like The Lab Co. Delicates Wash.
Winter duvet
If the winter duvet is about to come out, now’s your chance to give it a quick wash. This is a bulky piece of bedding, so it’s not surprising if you rarely wash it. But this needs to be done considering all the sweat it contains – yellow stains will give this away!
Again, you’re going to need to check for that all important care label. We recommend avoiding the dry cleaners, especially if you’re dealing with a down filling – you don’t want such chemicals lingering where you sleep. Instead, opt for a laundrette with a duvet service, or an environmentally friendly dry cleaner, such as Johnson’s Cleaners.
If your duvet is machine-washable, and your washing machine has the capacity to take it (always check this, especially with a winter duvet), use the bedding cycle if available or go for a delicate cycle with a low spin (800rpm max). Stick to a liquid detergent (you’ll only need about a third of the usual dosage) and run an extra rinse cycle to make sure it’s fully removed. Tumble dry if the care label allows, otherwise keep shaking and rotating as you line dry to redistribute the filling.
Thermals
It’s easy to get addicted to thermals once the temperature drops, but these need washing regularly, especially thermal tops that make direct contact with your armpits. Washing these is fairly straightforward – you just need to follow the instructions on the care label (a delicate cycle is standard), turning them inside out and doing up any zips beforehand.
If it has a wool base, use a detergent designed for wool, such as Woolite, or if it’s a more sporty design, a detergent for sportswear is better, such as Dylon Sport Detergent. Avoid fabric conditioner and the tumble dryer on such items, and line-dry inside out to speed up the process.
Winter socks
There’s nothing so comforting as winter socks, unless you find bits in them from last year! Take a moment to turn them inside out and wash in a mesh laundry bag, just as you did your scarf and gloves. Depending on what they’re made from, they might be able to withstand a standard cycle, although you should refer to the care label to confirm. Delicate materials will require a delicate cycle. The same advice goes for the tumble dryer, although steer clear if you have woolly socks.
Weighted blanket
Weighted blankets can easily retain smells from last year – especially if you fall asleep under it!
How you wash your weighted blanket depends on its construction. If there’s a removable sheet, that might be all that needs washing, which keeps things simple. But if it’s a solid blanket with no way to remove the filling, you will need to make sure you’re following the care label.
Some might require dry cleaning (follow the same rules as for your duvet), while others will be spot clean only. As for the smaller, more lightweight blankets that are wholly machine-washable, the rules are similar to the winter duvet. First, make sure the machine can take the weight – remember, things get much heavier when they’re wet. If you want to proceed, use a cold delicate cycle with a gentle detergent, such as Ecover Delicate Laundry Liquid. Reduce the dosage of the detergent to about a third so there’s not an excess at the end of the cycle. If you’d rather err on the side of caution, or your blanket is hand-wash only, you can also submerge it in the bathtub for a deep clean.
If the blanket isn’t safe for the dryer, you will need to air dry gradually, flipping and rotating it every so often. Going ahead, fit a duvet cover to your blanket to make cleaning easier.
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