Cool weather, crisp leaves and apple pie … fall is here. The start of fall means it’s time to bid farewell to summer clothes and dig out cozy sweaters, boots and jackets from storage. It’s a process, but we’re here to help flip your wardrobe and give you laundry tips on caring for your fall apparel.

Before You Store

Make your wardrobe transition easier through elimination. Didn’t wear those shorts? Is that maxi dress out of style? As you go through your closet, make three piles.

  • To be donated
  • Clean and ready to be stored
  • Needing extra TLC before storing

Sunscreen, sweat and other summer stains are tricky to remove, so treating stains before storing is key. Find tips on how to treat summer stains here.

See You Next Season

While it’s exciting to rediscover favorite fall apparel, packing away summer can feel like a rainy day. Use these helpful tips when storing clothes to keep the sun shining.

  • Roll with it: When you’re storing clothes in bins, roll items instead of folding. This prevents hard creases and reduces time spent at the ironing board next spring.
  • Padded shoulders are in: Hanging clothes for an extended time on wood or plastic hangers causes stretching. To avoid this, pamper your hanging items with padded hangers. 
  • Keep it fresh: Before you snap on a lid, toss a few dryer sheets in your bins. Not only does this keep your clothes smelling fresh, it eliminates plastic storage smell.

Keep Sweaters Snuggly

On cool fall days, nothing beats a cozy cardigan. If washing your favorite knit is a nail-biter, we have tips to help.

  • Always follow your sweater’s washing instructions. 
  • If it’s safe to be machine washed, toss it in a large garment bag and wash on delicate to keep loose fibers from snagging.
  • Always skip the dryer. Instead, lay it flat on a bath towel and roll, pressing along the way. Unroll the towel and replace with a dry one.
  • Reshape your sweater and let it dry for 24 hours. Flip your sweater over, reshape again and let it dry for 24 more hours. 

For more detail, watch this video tutorial on how to dry a sweater.

Removing Stains from Sweets

Delicious drinks and delectable desserts are fall staples, but the stains they leave aren’t as sweet. With these tips for treating stains, you can focus on enjoying your treat instead of wearing it.

A Latté Stain is Brewing 

Chai, pumpkin, salted caramel. Besides being latté-licious, they can leave a sugary stain. 

  • Soak clothing in cool water to loosen the stain.
  • Rub the spot with a clean rag if the stain isn’t loosening easily. 
  • Treat with a pre-wash stain remover or regular laundry detergent.
  • Wash as normal using detergent with enzymes to rid the clothing of milk.

Cursed by Caramel 

Caramel apples—they’re tasty and they’re messy. 

  • Don’t try to rub the caramel off the fabric. Instead, let it harden—an ice cube will speed this step.
  • Use a dull knife or spoon to lift and remove the hardened caramel. 
  • Rinse the spot with cool water to remove any remaining caramel.
  • Treat the area with a pre-wash stain remover or laundry detergent. 
  • Let sit for 10-15 minutes and wash as normal.

With these laundry tips, you and your family can focus less on work and more on the beautiful fall colors. Get ready to enjoy pumpkin spice season!