You may be busy having your head turned by spring – hello, bare legs weather! – but now is the time that your winter wardrobe needs you the most. Because while next autumn might seem a long way off, getting your knitwear, coats and boots in order now will avoid that awful disappointment of pulling out your favourite sweater to discover a new selection of unfamiliar holes, or discovering that your trusty leather boots have lost their shape at the back of the wardrobe.
With a bit of organisation, a spot of cleaning, and some handy pieces of kit (some of it as state-of-the-art as newspaper), it’s easy to pack away your winter wardrobe in a way that will not only have it re-emerging looking good-as-new in September, but will ultimately prolong its lifespan in the long run.
Knitwear
Top of the list for preparation is, of course, doing everything in your power to deter moths. I wear some of my knitwear all year-round (moths hate movement and light), but there are certain items that you’re going to want to store and protect when the mercury rises. Wool is naturally antibacterial, so although it can be aired and doesn’t need to be laundered regularly, now is the time.
“Wool should be washed if you are preparing to store it away,” says Deanne Wallace, founder of Elwin Studio which specialises in British wool designs. “Traces of dirt, sweat or body oils can attract moths and discolour the fibres.”
Washing knitwear can be a risky business – hands up who else has shrunk their favourite jumper – but it’s easy once you know how. “Hand wash in plenty of lukewarm water with a wool wash and gently squeeze the knit. Don’t agitate it too much – hot water and movement will encourage felting – and rinse in cool water,” continues Wallace, who goes on to explain that a gentle squeeze, rather than a stretch or a wring, is best.
“I recommend laying your knit flat on a towel and rolling it up to take out as much water as possible. Then dry it flat, away from sunlight. Never hang knitwear on an airer as it will distort the knit. It can take a while for a thick knit to fully dry, so give it time.”
While I am a fan of an electric debobbler for my chunkier knits, Wallace advocates for combing. “Using gentle pressure, drag the comb across the surface of the knit at an angle and it will pull off the bobbles,” she says. “Follow the direction of the stitches (up and down, not side to side). You can also just pull them off by hand.” Finally, knitwear is always best stored folded, and rather than using vacuum bags that don’t allow knitwear to breathe, opt for plastic boxes with clips, filled with cedar balls and lavender.
Winter coats
I’ve certainly been guilty of storing my winter coats incorrectly. Packing them in a vintage suitcase that used to belong to my grandad might have been both space saving and aesthetically pleasing in the corner of the bedroom, but this is not a technique that comes with the expert seal of approval.
As a result, my beloved Preen by Thornton Bregazzi neon tartan coat emerged from its summer hibernation a few years ago having sustained some moth damage and a few very stubborn creases. Thankfully, it’s salvageable, but that’s a story for another feature.
So how to avoid such disasters? Lora Gene, expert tailor and founder of her namesake label, promises that your coats will thank you for the effort of a little extra preparation. “I would suggest lint rolling the coat to remove dust, fibres and surface debris,” she says, and adds that if the coat is wool, to also give it a quick debobble.
“Check for small marks and spot clean them with a damp cloth or mild wool-safe detergent. A light steam is helpful to relax the fibres and remove creases, and ideally the coat should then be aired for a day in a well-ventilated space before being stored.” As with knitwear, cleaning and airing repels moths, and you can also store your coats with cedar balls and lavender sachets.
Rather than folding and packing, if you have the space, hang your coats in a cool, dry wardrobe with space around them for the air to circulate.
“Structured garments like coats rely on their internal construction to maintain shape, particularly around the shoulders and collar,” continues Gene. “If you can, use a sturdy, wide wooden hanger that supports the shoulders properly. Folding coats for long periods can distort the structure and create difficult creases.”
She also advises removing belts and storing them separately, as well as fastening buttons and zips to help maintain the coat’s form on the hanger. Avoid sealing coats in airtight plastic bags for long periods of time; choosing some made from natural fibres, like these Dunelm linen ones, will allow air to flow.
Boots
I’m a long-term advocate for storing shoes correctly to prolong their longevity, especially when it comes to winter boots, and have reaped the rewards: my Grenson Nanette suede boots have just completed their eighth winter and look good as new, with the added bonus of the extreme comfort only a well worn-in boot can provide.
I have an arsenal of fit-for-purpose brushes (as well as old toothbrushes) and lotions that I use to clean them before I do the great bi-annual shoe switch when the Birkenstocks take their place on the shoe rack – I especially love Jason Markk’s Essential Kit, which can be used on all sorts of shoes and surfaces.
Taking the trouble to do this doesn’t just make your life easier when the time comes to unpack your winter boots again. “Cleaning boots before storing them prevents dirt, salt and moisture from damaging the leather or fabric over time,” says Layla Sargent, founder of the nationwide repair service The Seam.
“If these are left on the surface, they can cause staining, cracking or deterioration while the boots are in storage.” She adds that using a shoe conditioner will help keep the material supple during the months that the boots are not being worn.
Once clean, it’s important to give your boots some support. “Shoe trees are ideal because they help maintain shape while naturally absorbing moisture and odour,” continues Sargent. “For taller boots, simply placing loosely rolled newspaper inside the shaft can prevent creasing and collapse while they’re stored away.”
Finally, place your clean, prepared boots in a cool, dry place. Sargent suggests avoiding direct sunlight, because it can fade materials, as well as airtight plastic containers “particularly in lofts or areas where temperature and humidity fluctuate, as trapped moisture can lead to mould or material damage. Breathable fabric bags or their original boxes with some airflow are usually the safest option.”
So, grab your lint rollers and lavender sachets now, and thank me in the autumn.