tried and tested ways to refresh your autumn wardrobe

Your coat after last autumn doesn’t need washing, just a refreshing? Grab a damp cloth, clean the outside of the fabric and dry it in a shaded area. Before cleaning, you can also lightly spray your coat with fabric softener, which will further prevent it from becoming electrified… You can also use a steam iron for this purpose or… a hoover on low suction mode.

And it doesn’t stop there – once the coat is dry, it is also a good idea to ‘comb’ its fabric with a clothes roller, which will restore its original volume. The coat can then be hung up in the wardrobe, where it will await its autumn debut.

True denim fans don’t need to be reminded that jeans should be washed as rarely as possible. Preferably in lukewarm water and for a short period of time. Interestingly, some washing machines have programmes specifically for washing jeans. If you are not sure, please refer to the labels on the tags, which show that jeans do not like high temperatures or drying in direct sunlight. It is also not worth ironing (unless it is a dress or shirt), as the material loses its natural properties faster.

If your favourite pair of jeans just needs a refresh, you can also wrap them in foil and put them in the freezer. This is no joke! Denim garments become as good as new after such a ‘visit’, as the sub-zero temperature eliminates odours.

Comfortable, warm and nice to the touch – jumpers are definitely the best part of your wardrobe in autumn and winter. They deserve care and special treatment, which does not at all mean that they have to be washed every time they are worn. Especially since natural materials such as wool have self-cleaning properties, making it unnecessary to wash them frequently.

To refresh your winter jumpers, it is a good idea to soak them in lukewarm water with a gentle lanolin-containing detergent, or use a vegan substitute based on vegetable oil. Then rinse the jumpers in water close to body temperature, before wrapping them in a towel and gently squeezing out any excess water. Dry the jumpers flat and under no circumstances in the sun. If you hang them vertically in a sunny place, your favourite fluffy jumpers may not only lose their shape, but also change size.

With the arrival of autumn, we reach for more built-up footwear. Boots, moccasins, oxfords, slippers or sneakers – preferably made of suede, grain leather or eco material.

If you have them in your wardrobe, check how to care for them. Regular cleaning of autumn/winter footwear is essential. And, after the coat, another image showpiece.

• How to clean suede?

To clean suede or nubuck shoes, it is worth getting a special brush to remove dirt from the surface. If the marks of the shoes’ use are too visible, you can also try removing them with water and vinegar. Use a damp cloth, but avoid getting suede shoes wet, and do not treat them with chemicals. A good way to deal with scratches on suede is to use a so-called nubuck leather eraser, which can effectively remove any blemishes in the material.

• How to clean the leather?

Full grain leather, cowhide or calf leather requires cleaning with a damp cloth, which should be used to wipe the top/ankle of the shoe. The shoe should then be polished with a paste of the appropriate colour or a colourless paste to protect the shoe from external conditions and to give it a shine. After pasting, polishing with a soft brush or cloth is essential. Finally, it is a good idea to protect the top of the shoe against moisture or mud adhesion using a waterproofing product designed for this purpose.

Proper lubrication of the leather prevents the possible occurrence of cracks and strengthens its structure, ensuring a lifespan for years to come. For even better results, it is also worth stocking up on a shoe care cream for the material to give your shoes a shine and make them look like new.

• How to clean eco leather?

As with leather, boots made of leather-like material should be cleaned with a soft, damp cloth. The platforms of sneakers should be scrubbed with a shoe brush. Before the season, make sure your boots are properly waterproofed to protect them from getting wet in the rain. Synthetic leather shoes, unlike their natural counterparts, are far less resistant to drying in the sun, so after refreshing, leave them to dry indoors at room temperature.

Silk, viscose and cashmere

Scarves – like jumpers, they wrap around our necks and protect us from unwanted cold. In return, we should cherish our scarves and shawls, so that they serve us for years to come.

Silk, viscose or cashmere scarves are best washed by hand in lukewarm water at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. To do this, place them in a bowl, pour in a little gentle washing liquid or shampoo, preferably for children. For silk and cashmere, it is worth adding a teaspoon of vinegar. Gently knead the scarves for a few minutes, then take them out and, as with wool, wrap them in a towel and pat dry, then dry flat in a sunless place. This way, they will keep their shape and the fabric fibres will not stretch and lose their original colour.

A good practice for scarf care is also a steamer, which, like a bowl of water, will manage to refresh the fabric and restore its former softness in no time.

Synthetic fabrics

It also happens that on the surfaces of scarves and neckerchiefs made from mixtures of different fibres, the material becomes mossy. There are many ways to get rid of the tiny fibre balls, from small scissors to jumper combs and electric clothes shavers.

Autumn arrives by surprise only for those who do not prepare for it. After reading this article, you can prepare your autumn wardrobe and welcome the golden autumn not only with a smile on your face, but also in (like) a new outfit!

All photos included in the above article are the property of the MOHITO brand.