Get Your Wardrobe Organised For Winter
WORDS : CHYKA KEEBAUGH
PHOTOS : LISA ATKINSON
HOW ARE YOU FARING THIS WINTER?
Winter is here and if you didn’t organise your wardrobe to suit the season, I am sure you open it daily with the words ‘ Now what am I going to wear today…?’ Before the weather really turns, I love pulling out my winter jumpers and coats from the back of the cupboard (and hidden storage boxes!) to bring some colour, layers and warmth to the front of my wardrobe.
Look at all the coats and jackets you have pulled out for winter - do they need a dry clean?
Fold all your light summer scarves scarves and jumpers etc. and neatly box them up.
Give winter boots a good clean and see if they need to be re-soled so you are ready for some heavy wearing.
Bring all the colour in your wardrobe forward and see what you can add to brighten up your winter look.
Look at what is trending for the upcoming season, work out what you would like to add and make a list!
Give your cupboards a wipe down, as you will be so surprised how much dust has come to visit each season.
CREATE THREE PILES: MEND AND FIX, KEEP AND GIVE TO CHARITY. BE BRUTAL, BE HONEST AND BE REALISTIC - ASK YOURSELF QUESTIONS LIKE…
Have you worn this in the last year? Yes (keep) Not at all (donate) It is slightly too big (mend or donate)
Does it need laundering? (then make a dry clean pile)
Does it need mending? Is it worth it, do you get enough wear out of it to justify mending?
Does it fit you? (too big or too small - donate) It’s uncomfortable (donate) It doesn’t sit right on my body shape (donate or mend)
THERE ARE A FEW QUICK LAUNDRY TIPS I LOVE THAT I WANT TO SHARE with you this winter...
They are pretty basic, but sometimes when you are caught up in the rush of daily life, small tips like this will make your day easier and keep your winter woollies in better shape. I’m all making it easy!
Attend to stains ASAP so you have more of a chance of the stain being removed, even on woollen items - a quick read of washing instructions and off you go
Have baskets to separate colours / dry cleaning and ironing to make the job easier, this season bring in a woollen wash. It can be as easy as a quick hand wash in softener or a spin through the machine - either way, make sure they are seperate from your every day washing
Always separate your loads of washing, I know sometimes we forget but treating your clothes well means they will last longer. Turn your pants inside out and button them up, it keeps them in their original shape for longer
Adding a tablespoon of salt to your washing will keep your colours brighter for longer
Always check your labels, too much cashmere has shrunk in my wash - now I am all about the label!
In winer a clothes dryer comes into it’s own! Throw a dry towel in your dryer. It will absorb the water from your drying clothes making them dry faster!
Don't forget to maintain your dryer and washer for longevity. Get it checked every few years, if you hear an odd noise; investigate!
Ironing with a sheet of aluminium foil under your ironing board cover will cut the ironing time in half. I have no idea how this works, but it just does!
Try and keep on top of the washing ironing so that it doesn't mount up. But of course, it does! Need to get out a few wrinkles? Use your hairdryer to steam them out
Keep your iron clean as to not transfer nasty stains on to your clothes
Make sure you have a clean ironing board cover and enough padding to make ironing easier
Ironing damp clothes will save on drying time and give you a crisper finish