How to Care for Sweaters

The better care you take of your sweaters, the longer you'll be able to enjoy them. Here are four key things you need to know to keep your sweaters in great condition.

A child's hairbrush works better than a lint roller to remove hairs, dandruff, and bits of fluff. Brush cashmere, lamb's wool, and acrylic after each wearing (be especially gentle with acrylic, which tends to have a short lifespan anyway).

Use an iron to remove wrinkles and hanger marks. Press lightly on a low setting, and, for wool sweaters, gently knead when done.

Forget mothballs--in addition to smelling horrible and releasing toxic chemicals, they're just not necessary. The new anti-moth sprays are much nicer. A good one to try: CB Practical Perfumes Moth Repelling Wardrobe Spray.

Lavender is another great moth repellent--find lavendar sachets at homegoods stores like Bed, Bath, & Beyond and store them with your sweaters. The fragrance is much nicer than mothballs.

A cardboard box is a good resource for storage. Natural fibers need to breathe or they start to break down. Avoid storing them in drycleaning bags or sealed plastic containers.