Is your winter wardrobe getting extra use this season? Ours certainly is! With the colder weather, everyone is putting their winter coats and warmest sweaters to the test. When the season passes, you might be tempted to store these items in anticipation of spring. Before you do, we recommend having them dry cleaned at Shamrock Cleaners.
Many of our favorite winter pieces don’t fare well in the washing machine. Tossing them into closets or garment boxes without proper cleaning can lead to undesirable outcomes. Dry cleaning your winter clothes before storage isn’t just a luxury. It’s a smart way to protect your wardrobe and preserve your garments for seasons to come.
Remove Stains and Dirt
The most obvious reason to dry clean before storage is to remove stains and dirt. Even sweat stains can become permanent if left untreated, oxidizing over time and leaving yellow marks that ruin your favorite pieces.
Other stains, such as food, wine, and dirt, can set in over time, making them much harder to remove later. Cleaning your garments now ensures they’ll look fresh and crisp when you pull them out next fall.
Remove Lingering Odors and Prevent Lasting Ones
If you're a fan of vintage, you know that proper storage can make or break certain items over time. You know that smell that some vintage furs have, that you just can't get rid of? Proper cleaning and storage largely prevent that.
Fur is costly, and you might want to pass it down someday. To keep yours odor-free, clean it before you store it. Be sure to store it in a cool, dry, dark space, and always wrap it in cloth, never plastic.
Other garments, such as winter coats and suits, also collect odors over the season. You don't want to pack your wool coat away smelling like a campfire. That odor sticks around, and the longer it remains, the harder it is to remove.
Odors That Linger in Storage:
- Body Odor
- Pet Odors
- Smoke and Cooking Smells
- Perfume and Cologne
Maintain Longevity and Appearance
Dry cleaning before storing your winter clothes protects them and, overall, makes them last longer and look nicer. It’s especially beneficial for natural fibers. Materials such as wool, cashmere, and silk can weaken if oils or acidic stains are left untreated. Over time, this can lead to fraying, holes, and other damage.
You may have invested wisely in quality pieces, such as cashmere sweaters. Dry cleaning before storage helps ensure they last for years and retain their original texture and shape.
3 Ways Dry Cleaning Preserves the Condition of Clothes:
Stain and Dirt Removal - By removing stains and dirt and preventing unpleasant odors, it prevents colors from fading or becoming dull. The residue left from dirt and oils attracts dust and moisture. Both of these can dull your colors and cause uneven fading.
Smooths Wrinkles - You also want to make sure to remove wrinkles before storing, which dry cleaning does for you. It's important to press items that wrinkle easily and store them crease-free. Long-term creasing can be a bear to smooth out.
Reshapes Fabric - Knitwear items, especially those made from more delicate fibers, have a tendency to stretch and sag with wear. Shaping is an important step in the cleaning process and ensures that your sweaters come out of storage looking like new.
Prevent Pest Damage
If you’ve ever discovered holes in a stored sweater, moths or carpet beetles were likely the culprits. These pests are attracted to organic residues, including sweat and skin oils, and they prefer dark, cool storage spaces.
Adult insects won’t eat your clothes, but their larvae feed on animal fibers like wool, silk, fur, alpaca, and cashmere. Dry cleaning removes the materials that attract insects, helping prevent larval damage during storage.
Bring Your Winter Wear to Shamrock Cleaners
At Shamrock Cleaners, we help make sure that your winter wardrobe is stored in pristine condition. Avoid pest damage, lingering odors, and fabric deterioration with our specialized care and professional dry cleaning.
For your convenience, we offer 24/7 drop-off and pick-up at our Self-Serve Kiosk! You can also schedule our convenient pickup and delivery service so your winter clothes are protected without the hassle.
