12 Winter Items You’re Cleaning All Wrong

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There are a couple challenges during winter. The icy sidewalks, the frosty mornings and the never ending battle to be warm without looking like a burrito wearing a scarf. However, while we’re all snuggling up, we often forget about the cold weather items that require constant maintenance. Here’s the kicker: you might be cleaning some of those things but not in the right way, thereby ruining them in the process.

Let’s take a look into some common cleaning mistakes and how to fix them so you can tackle another snowy day with all your system clean and functional and ready to go.

Ski Gear

Skiing is rough on all that ski gear, but tossing it all in the washer is a rookie mistake. Jackets and pants with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating often wears off. Wash with cold water and a detergent for technical fabrics, or hand wash. If you’re back on the mountain, water proofing spray will help keep you dry.

Wool Sweaters

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Your divas in your winter wardrobe are the wool sweaters that require extra care. You can throw them into a hot wash and they’ll shrink into doll clothes as fast as they can. Hand wash in lukewarm water with a wool friendly detergent. Do not wring them out, roll in a towel to get out excess water and lay flat to dry. If you take care of your sweaters, they’ll be your cozy winters for years.

Holiday Decorations

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Before you tuck away your winter decorations, especially those fabric ones, like a tree skirt or stockings, give them some love. Most can go on a gentle cycle or by hand wash. Dry them completely before you store them so they , otherwise they’ll get mold. If you take care of them now, you won’t have to unpack musty decorations next year.

Scarves and Hats

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If you wear scarves and hats close to your face all day long they need to be clean. However, many people don’t wash them as often as they should, leading to oils and bacteria build up. Hand washing is best for wool or knit materials but almost all scarves and hats can go in the machine on a gentle cycle. Don’t forget to reshape them while they dry to keep their form.

Fleece Blankets

While fleece blankets are unsung heroes of winter nights, they can quickly lose their softness after a bad wash. Don’t use fabric softeners on fleece—they can leave a residue that makes it feel matted. Separate them and wash on cold, tumble on low heat or air dry them. These delicate snuggles will stay snuggly soft with a gentle detergent designed for them.

Heated Blankets

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Heated blankets are a winter luxury, but they don’t always get cleaned. To wash, unplug and detach any cords. They’re mostly machine washable, but only on a delicate cycle with cold water. The safest option of drying is air drying—use the dryer only if the care label insists. Taking a little caution will help keep your heated blanket cozy and functional.

Winter Curtains

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Dust, allergens and even moisture can get trapped behind heavy winter curtains. To keep buildup minimal, vacuum them weekly. For deeper cleaning, check if they’re machine washable. Otherwise you’re better off taking it to a professional dry cleaner. Not only do fresh curtains look nice, they help improve indoor air quality—a huge deal when you’re spending four and five months a year cooped up inside.

Sheepskin Rugs

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While sheepskin rugs provide both warmth and style to your home, cleaning them wrong can destroy their plush texture. Hand wash with mild soap or a sheepskin detergent in cold water. Don’t wring them out, instead press gently between towels. Air dry them and don’t put them near direct heat sources, and help restore fluffiness with a pet brush.

Snow Boots

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All winter, your slushy, salty, grimey snow boots get deserving of more than a quick swipe down. If salt stains are not treated, they will eat away at the material. Spray with an equal parts mixture of water and white vinegar or use a cloth to remove those pesky marks. To get rid of odors, sprinkle baking soda on the insides. Then, finish with a waterproofing spray and your boots will be ready for the next snowstorm.

Throw Pillows

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Throw pillows add a little coziness, but they’re also easily forgotten during winter cleaning sprees. The good news is most covers can be removed and washed separately; just be sure to check the care label. Spot clean with mild detergent for non removable covers. Normally, you can fluff your pillow inserts in the dryer with a couple of tennis balls on a no-heat cycle.

Your Winter Jacket

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Your winter coat works hard to keep you warm, But do you treat it with the care it deserves? The wrong detergent or washing it too often will weaken the fabric or remove the water resistant properties. Check the care label so you don’t toss it into the washer like a regular shirt. For most jackets, you would do a gentle cycle, with cold water and a special detergent. It’s equally important to dry it—tumble dry on low heat with clean tennis balls to fluff it up.

Winter Gloves

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Gloves are tough to figure out — they’re the stepchild of winter accessories that no one talks about. Leather or knit varieties are often no go for machine washing. Leather gloves should not be cleaned in the washer and instead should be spot cleaned with a damp cloth and mild soap. Knit gloves should be hand-washed in lukewarm water and lay flat to dry.

According to the American Cleaning Institute, 23 percent of people rarely read tags before washing. For insulated gloves, you must read the label and follow directions for how best to care for them if you want them to keep their warming power.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.