Bhopal's winters are short but can be sharp, with chilly nights in December and January — so most homes have a trunk of sweaters, shawls and razais that comes out once a year. A little care at both ends of the season keeps them going for many winters.
Taking woolens out of storage
- Air everything in the shade for a few hours to clear any stored smell.
- Check for small holes — a sign of moths. Clean affected items before wearing so the damage doesn't spread.
- Anything that went into storage dirty should be cleaned before you wear it.
Washing without shrinking
Check the label first. If washing is allowed:
- Hand wash in cold water with a mild or wool-specific detergent.
- Don't wring or twist. Press the water out, then roll the garment in a towel.
- Dry it flat in the shade. Hanging a wet sweater stretches it out of shape.
- Never tumble dry wool.
Coats, pashminas, fine shawls and anything labelled dry clean only are safer with woolen dry cleaning.
Dealing with pilling
Those little bobbles come from friction. Remove them gently with a fabric shaver or sweater comb, keeping the garment flat on a table. Turning sweaters inside out for washing reduces pilling.
Storing woolens for summer
- Clean everything first. Moths and other insects are drawn to sweat and food residue.
- Fold, don't hang, to protect the shoulders.
- Use breathable storage — cotton bags or a clean trunk, not sealed plastic.
- Add a natural deterrent such as neem leaves or cedar.
- Check halfway through summer and air things out once.
Blankets and quilts
Heavy bedding is hard to wash and dry at home. Get blankets and razais cleaned when you take them out for winter and again before you store them — see blanket and quilt cleaning.