Organized Living

SMARTEST WAYS TO STORE SWEATERS

Both in and out of season, sweaters should be stored in such a way that keeps them easy to access and in excellent shape.

In Season:
During colder seasons, when you need to wear sweaters often, the ideal way to store them is rolled and placed front to back in a drawer. This prevents stretching and bumps that can occur when you hang sweaters, and also allows you to see all of your choices at a glance.

To properly roll a sweater, lay it down on a flat surface, fold the sleeves inward to form a V and meet at the cuffs, and then fold the sweater up from the bottom by one third. Begin to roll the sweater from this point. Store sweaters front to back in the drawer as space allows. Delicate sweaters, such as those with beading or embroidery, should be stored separately from heavy or bulky sweaters.

Out of Season:
Once the cold weather has passed, it’s important to launder or dry clean your sweaters before they are stored for any period of time. Freshly cleaned sweaters are less attractive to pests like moths searching for an appealing place to lay their eggs and hatch, which will ruin clothing.

After the sweaters have been cleaned and rolled, it’s best to store them in a place that allows some air circulation. Cedar chests are excellent, but brown paper bags are just as effective. Plastic bins and bags are the least desirable choice. To further discourage pests from nesting in sweaters, tuck in a small bunch of dried lavender or eucalyptus that has been wrapped in tissue. The scent will confuse them enough to move on. Never use mothballs, which are health hazards and harmful to the environment.