Ask the Editor: Sweater Hygiene, Part II

Of course, good hygiene is important year round, but it’s especially important in the winter-time.  In 2012, I wrote a post about my winter hygiene routine.  But recently, a reader asked for an update.

Washing sweaters is the worst part of winter fashion.  Sure, some are machine washable, but many still recommend hand washing.  And I just don’t have the time to wash sweaters after or every single wear.  So keeping my sweaters smelling fresher, longer starts with a winter hygiene routine.  Because it’s terrible when a hot restaurant, a brisk walk, or unexpectedly stressful meeting brings on that sweaty-sweater smell.

The Deodorant // Winter hygiene starts with the right deodorant. Lume makes the best deodorant that I have ever used for controlling sweat.  It stops stress sweat, hot meeting room sweat, and workout sweat like no other product I have ever used.  And it lasts for as long as 72-hours.  Lume also sells a whole body deodorant.

Another option is spray deodorant.  Degree sells an aerosol deodorant that is completely clear, and promises that it won’t leave yellow stains on white items or white stains or black items.

The Base Layer // I never wear a sweater without a base layer underneath it.  It’s easier to wash sweat and odor out of a t-shirt, than it is to wash it out of a sweater.  Your base layer needs sleeves (short or long, dealer’s choice) and it should be fitted to prevent bunching.

Cotton is my preferred fabric for a base layer, but that is becoming harder to find. J.Crew Factory makes both a cotton crewneck and v-neck tee.  The slub cotton is a light option for layering, and there are several colors to choose from.

Another option is fitted shape wear in a color similar to your own skin tone.  The benefit of the flesh-toned base layer is that it won’t show under lighter-colored sweaters like a white t-shirt might.  Skims makes their Fits Everybody fitted tee in several flesh-toned colors, and with inclusive sizing.  You can also try their short sleeved bodysuit or give this Alix NYC long-sleeved bodysuit a try.

The Wipes // The Honey Pot makes my favorite cleansing wipes.  They’re strong enough to use under your arms or on intimate parts, but gentle enough to use on your face.  I keep a pack in my desk at work to freshen up after stressful meetings and calls.

The Sweater Wash // Washing sweaters is a pain. So stop washing them, and start soaking them.  A friend who is a prolific knitter turned me on to Soak, and it is game changer.  You mix Soak Liquid with water and give your sweaters a bath, then lay them flat to dry.  No rinsing.  No agitating.  Just soaking.

If you travel in the winter, you can carry their travel packs of scentless product to refresh on trips.  And you can also use their Flatter spray to smooth out wrinkles in your sweaters and freshen them up a bit.

The Fabric Refresher // Febreeze works well on many materials, but it’s not the best thing for sweaters.  If you want to refresh your sweaters, you have two options.  Chinti & Parker’s garment refresher was developed for your delicate sweaters. The Laundress’s wool and cashmere spray is another great option, but the cedar scent isn’t my favorite.

Do you have any tips and tricks for keeping your sweaters clean and smelling fresh?  Leave them in the comments.

The Shaver // (A reader asked for my thoughts on sweater shavers, so I added this section to the post.)  Pilling is a constant battle when you own sweaters you love.  I actually own two sweater shaving tools, both of which I recommend.

The Laundress’s sweater stone removes tough pills with ease.  It’s great when you need to de-pill the whole sweater.  I saw the Pilo shaver from the Steamery in a gift guide and bought it without another thought.  The engine is more powerful and the blades sharper than many of the shavers I’ve tried.  It’s perfect for quick jobs.

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