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Gurugram winters are short, but they are cold enough to bring out the sweaters, shawls, jackets and quilts every year. These are often the most expensive things in the wardrobe, and they spend most of the year folded away. How you clean them at the start and end of the season decides how long they last. Here is a simple winter clothes care guide.
Winter clothes care: taking them out of storage
- Air them first. Hang woolens and jackets in a shaded, airy place for a few hours to remove the storage smell.
- Check for moth damage and stains. Small holes and marks are easier to deal with before the garment goes back into regular use.
- Freshen quilts and razais. If they smell musty or were stored without cleaning, clean them before the first cold night, not after.
Wash at home or dry clean?
| Item | Best care |
|---|---|
| Acrylic and cotton-blend sweaters | Gentle wool cycle, cold water, inside out |
| Pure wool, merino and cashmere | Cold hand wash with wool detergent, or dry clean |
| Pashmina and wool shawls | Dry clean |
| Coats, overcoats and blazers | Dry clean |
| Puffer and down jackets | Follow the label; professional cleaning if unsure |
| Leather and suede jackets | Specialist leather care only |
| Quilts, razais, duvets and heavy blankets | Professional cleaning |
Quilts and heavy blankets are usually too big for home machines. They do not get rinsed properly, and they are very hard to dry completely at home, which is how mildew starts. Our curtain and duvet cleaning service handles quilts, blankets and duvets with free pickup of heavy items.
How to dry woolens without ruining them
- Never wring a wet sweater. Roll it in a towel and press to remove water.
- Dry knits flat on a towel. Hanging a wet sweater stretches the shoulders and the length.
- Keep woolens away from heaters and direct sun while drying. High heat shrinks wool.
Dealing with pilling
Those small fluff balls are normal on wool and blends, especially where the fabric rubs. Washing garments inside out reduces pilling, and a fabric shaver or sweater comb removes it gently. Avoid pulling pills off by hand, which weakens the fibres.
Storing winter clothes at the end of the season
- Clean everything before storing. Moths are attracted to body oils, food and sweat, not to clean wool.
- Use breathable cotton bags instead of plastic, which traps moisture.
- Fold knits, hang coats. Hanging sweaters for months pulls them out of shape.
- Add natural repellents such as dried neem leaves or cedar, kept away from direct contact with fabric.
- Make sure quilts are completely dry before they go into covers.
Tip: Brush coats with a soft clothes brush after wearing and hang them on a broad hanger. It keeps dust out of the fibres and means fewer cleanings over the season.
Let Dhulai handle the heavy items
Coats, shawls, pashminas, quilts and blankets are exactly the pieces that are risky to clean at home. Dhulai picks them up free across Sector 43, 47, 52, 60, 69 and nearby areas of Gurugram, cleans each one according to its fabric and returns it fresh. See our dry cleaning service or send "Hey" on WhatsApp to book a pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should woolens be dry cleaned or washed?
It depends on the fibre. Acrylic and cotton-blend sweaters can usually go on a gentle wool cycle in cold water. Pure wool, merino, cashmere and pashmina are safer hand washed in cold water with a wool detergent or dry cleaned, and coats, blazers and tailored jackets should always be dry cleaned.
How do I store quilts and razais after winter?
Clean them first, make sure they are completely dry, then store them in breathable cotton covers in a dry cupboard. Storing a quilt even slightly damp can lead to mildew and a musty smell by next winter.
How often should I clean my winter coat?
Once a season is usually enough, ideally before you store it. In between, brush it after wearing, air it out and spot clean any marks.
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