Proper storage is the key to keeping your favorite sweaters looking brand new. Yes, you should and can handwash delicate items, use a fabric shaver when necessary, and keep a few cedar blocks in your closet to keep pests out. However, if you routinely shove your sweaters into drawers or, worse, hang them up, then all of those actions will be in vain.
Knitwear hanging upside down is a big mistake. Bulky things might take up important hanging space in your closet in addition to damaging your sweaters on hangers. Your best bet for keeping sweaters in good shape is to fold them correctly.
If you have trouble keeping your sweater drawer organized, use this detailed approach to make it easier and preserve your most worn items.
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Why You Should Never Hang Sweaters
Sweaters that must be temporarily hung won’t necessarily become ruined overnight. If you hang your sweaters on hangers on a regular basis, there are some drawbacks you should be aware of.
It Could Give You Shoulder Bumps
The lumps that appear on a sweater’s shoulders are probably the most noticeable and instantaneous effects of taking it off the hanger, especially if the material is thinner, like cashmere. They will ultimately disintegrate, but you can hasten the process by applying an iron or steamer.
However, if you’re already pressed for time, folding the sweater now will spare you the bother of looking at these lumps sticking out of your shoulders.
It Will Cause the Fabric to Stretch
The entire item can become deformed, just as shoulder bumps emerge when a sweater is hung and the hanger’s sides scrape into the shoulders. The sweater’s weight will eventually drag it down and force it to expand out. Eventually, the body will lengthen and the neckline will become crooked. Keep in mind that a garment will lose its shape more easily the heavier it is.
It Will Need Too Much Space
Lastly, hanging up all of your sweaters means taking up a lot of valuable closet space, even if you’re cool with shoulder bumps and stretched-out material.
This will add to the already crowded and disorganized appearance of your closet if you don’t have much-hanging space, to begin with. Therefore, refrain from forcing items onto the pole and instead store your folded sweaters in drawers and on shelves.
How to Fold a Sweater
When it comes to folding your clothes and other linens, such as sheets and towels, there is no one, absolute right or incorrect method to do it. However, there’s always a simple, easy solution. Try this method for folding sweaters quickly and easily to keep them wrinkle-free and looking nice.
Lay Sweater on a Flat Surface
To fold sweaters, set them on a clean surface, like a made bed, a dresser top, or the laundry room counter. One by one, place them facedown with the sweater’s back facing you. To remove any wrinkles or creases, use your hands to smooth the material.
Fold Sweater Sides Vertically
Fold the sweater toward the center, starting with one side. Fold the sleeve as well. Once the sleeve is parallel to the side, smooth down the entire portion until you reach the outside of the collar. Stated differently, the wrist and the bottom of the sweater should match. To make the sweater half as wide as it was originally, repeat this process with the other side.
Fold the Entire Sweater Horizontally
Fold the sweater’s lower half toward the top and away from you from this point. Whether it folds in half or in thirds will depend on its size and the storage location. Turn the sweater inside out and set it vertically on a shelf or, if you’re folding it like a file, down into a drawer.
An Alternative Method for Folding Sweaters
Although there isn’t much of a difference, this method might be simpler to use when folding heavy knits. Smooth the sweater onto a flat surface by following the first step, then draw both arms over so that they lay horizontally. Proceed to fold the sweater in half vertically and store it by following the third step.
Possess some sweaters, such as a turtleneck, with collars? To ensure that it stays tucked in when you go to store it, simply fold it down onto the back of the object before using either folding technique.
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