The colder months are here and the seasonal summer stains are being put on ice and replaced with the stains and hassles of winter. As the temperature begins to drop, it is time to prepare yourself for some fall and winter festivities. Here are a few tips and considerations to think about when rolling with the seasons.

Cleaning Out the Closet

After a long slumber, your fall and winter clothes will need to be awakened and taken out of storage. Depending on how careful and attentive you were last spring when packing them away, you may have had some unwanted visitors over the summer months and will want to check your garments for signs of insect damage.

Insects such as crickets, ants, moths, beetles, and cockroaches tend to feed on clothes that were not cleaned properly before storing. Look for small holes, worn areas, and discolored lines on the portions of the garment that had spills or stains that were never removed.

The odor from moth balls or crystals is difficult to remove. Try airing the garments by hanging them outside in the shade. If this does not completely remove the odor, cleaning the garments may help.

Winter Wardrobe

The content of your wardrobe changes along with the seasons. Short skirts and short sleeve shirts will be replaced with winter coats and scarves. Following some of these cleaning tips may be useful.

When it comes to cleaning, the first and easiest step to take to ensure the best cleaning is to follow the manufacturer’s care label instructions. Many of your garments may be hand or machine washable. Minimize agitation to prevent matting and pilling of napped fabrics. Cleaners have pressing equipment that can reshape knits back to their original size. Follow recommended drying temperatures. Other materials such as wool, fur, and leather will require the assistance of a professional cleaner due to special cleaning and pressing procedures. Make sure to point out any known stains when you leave them with the cleaner.

Festive Outfits

Along with the cooler weather and good food that accompany the fall and winter months, you are also sure to be plagued by unforeseen stains during the many celebrations that occur in the final quarter of the year.

With the holidays come family gatherings, office functions, lavish dinners, and holiday stains. Many stains caused by cosmetics, oily foods, and beverages will get best results when pre-treated. Many festive dishes, unfortunately, contain ingredients that are not easily removed using household stain removal techniques and may require solvent-based treatments. Consult your dry cleaner if you are not sure what the best procedure would be.

Next time you change over from summer to fall, think about these tips and considerations so you can spend the winter months getting the most out of your winter wardrobe.