How to take care of cold-weather clothing,

as the harmattan approaches……

harmattan haze by geeky Nigeria

Harmattan is a season that occurs in West Africa, begins towards the end of the year, and lasts till the middle of March, generally characterized by cold, dry and dusty winds.

Harmattan is the coldest season of the year in Ghana, with desert-like conditions. The weather is particularly cold early in the mornings and at night. Warm clothing becomes essential especially for babies and children since they lose body heat quickly.

During the harmattan, the weather can trigger some health problems such as coughs, cold, flu, chest infections, asthma etc. Thus, it is not just important for our children, but we also need to protect ourselves from the cold.

Photo by Thirdman from Pexels

Ghana’s climate is tropical, with hot, humid and relatively dry weather. We don’t generally use our cold-weather items like coats, sweaters, or cardigans because our temperature is normally really hot. So we usually keep them in storage until the harmattan comes with its cold.

Photo by Dom J from Pexels

Warm clothes are made from delicate fabrics so it is very easy for damage to occur after washing. Most of us must have had a sweater shrink or stretch after only one wash.

Taking care of sweaters and cardigans can sound a bit complicated but that is not the case. Trenor is here to help with some tips and answers to FAQs about caring for cold weather clothes

The proper care of cold-weather clothing is dependent on factors such as,

1. Fabric make up — cold-weather clothing is typically made of cotton, wool, acrylic, cashmere, polyester, rayon, and mohair. The type of fabric determines the type of washing method, the washing and drying temperature, the detergent choice.
2. How regular do you wear it? What type of clothing is it? Is it a heavy coat, light sweater, or even an accessory like a scarf ?Do you wear it directly against your skin? What activity do you do while wearing it? These questions determine how often such clothes need to be washed.

Wash day routine for cold-weather clothes……

The number one rule is to consult the care label before starting. It is important to follow the instructions carefully. Don’t assume what works for one sweater would work for all sweaters . Not all fabrics can be washed using the same method. So please, always cross check. If it says dry clean only, don't hesitate bring it straight to us. We are happy to help.

Handwashing

Hand washing is your best bet when your sweater is made from natural fibers eg cotton, wool.

To avoid overcrowding and stain transfer, it is best to wash one sweater at a time in the wash basin.

1. Pretreat stains first — make a solution of a small amount of detergent and dab the stain with a small amount the solution using a soft cloth instead of a brush. Repeat the process if necessary.
2. Fill the basin with cold water. Never use warm water.
3. Add a teaspoon of detergent to the water, this amount is just enough to get the job done. Removing excess detergent from the sweater can be tough, if it is not rinsed well the fibers would become stiff.
4. Turn the sweater inside out and submerge it in the water. Never rub, scrub or wring the garment to avoid pilling and stretching. Instead let is soak and gently knead the sweater with your hands for 5–10 mins. Rinse very well until the sweater is free of soap.
5. Drain excess water. Do not wring in an attempt to remove excess water .Let it drain, you are allowed to squeeze but very gently . There would still be some water but don't force it out.
6. Transfer the sweater to a clean towel to absorb the extra moisture. Do not lift the sweater as you are doing the transfer, the weight of the water can cause the sweater to stretch. Support the sweater from the bottom as you transfer to lay it flat on the towel.
7. Roll the sweater and towel together, do so while pressing firmly no wringing or rubbing. If there is still excess water , repeat the process with another towel.
8. Lay the sweater flat with the face up onto a dry towel and reshape the sweater to its original shape. Close the buttons, roll the collars into place, and straighten the sleeves . Now, allow to dry.

Machine Washing

If the care label allows the sweater to be placed in the washing machine, pretreat stains first as done for handwashing. Set Water Temperature to Cold. Warm water will fray the fibers , and hot water can make them shrink.
For the wash cycle select the gentle or permanent press cycle.

Stop the machine just before the spin cycle. Spinning can be stressful to the yarns of the sweater, the movement can pull them out of shape. Use the towel technique of draining water from handwashing to get the excess water out, reshape and flat dry.

Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels

Next month we shall have a conversation on a couple of FAQs related to cold-weather clothes.

How to prevent pilling in sweaters and how to fix those that have already pilled. Shrinkage and stretching of sweaters , is there a way to fix that ? How to get the texture of sweaters soft and fluffy, Best way to store such clothes…

Trenor Coats and gowns is ready to help you care for your favorite sweaters, coats, cardigans, scarfs. Contact us on 0553655059/0245026840 for a total fabric care done right!!

Written by :

Loveryn Dodu

Research and Training Supervisor

Trenor Coats and Gowns Ltd

REFRENCES

Leverette .M.(2021). How to clean and care for sweaters. How to Wash Sweaters (thespruce.com)

Perfectly Priscilla.(2020).How To Wash Sweaters, Cardigans And Winter Essentials. How to Wash Sweaters, Cardigans and Winter Essentials — Perfectly Priscilla

PharmahubNG.(2021).Tips To Protect Your Children During The Harmattan Season. Tips To Protect Your Children During The Harmattan Season. — PharmahubNG