How to Wash Christmas Sweaters, Santa Hats, and Stockings
With the holidays upon us, it’s time to unpack our favorite Christmas clothing and decor. But after years of wear and use, your sweater, Santa hat, or stocking may be looking less than its best. Can Christmas sweaters be washed in a washing machine? Check the care label first, as some must be hand washed or dry cleaned. Learn how to wash Christmas sweaters, Santa hats, and stockings with our cleaning guide for both the ugly and heirloom.
A Holiday Cleaning Guide: How to Wash Ugly Christmas Sweaters and Decor
Whether it’s an ugly sweater or a treasured stocking, certain materials and fabrics require special cleaning care. The experts at your local appliance repair service detail how to wash Christmas sweaters, Santa hats, and stockings so they’re always holiday-ready.
How to Wash an Ugly Christmas Sweater
Preparing Christmas cookie recipes in your holiday sweater may be a tradition, but it can leave your apparel with some lasting stains. Wondering how to wash a Christmas sweater with lights, beading, or a larger-than-life Santa? Embellishments require particular care, as do specific materials.
Here’s how to wash an ugly Christmas sweater based on its composition :
- Wool : Check the care label first. If it allows for machine washing, wash on a gentle cycle with warm water and always lay flat to dry. The dryer’s heat will tighten the wool fibers, giving the sweater a shrunken appearance.
- Acrylic: These blends can pill easily so even if the care label allows for a machine wash, handwashing is your safest bet. To hand wash, fill a sink or basin with cool water and a small amount of gentle detergent. Swirl the sweater in the water and allow it to sit for 1 hour. Rinse with cool water and roll the sweater in a towel to remove excess moisture. Lay it flat to dry, flipping halfway through so the other side dries completely.
- Lights, beading and sequins : Some of these embellishments can be hand washed but drycleaning is the safest option to preserve their shape or function.
How to Wash a Santa Hat
Many Santa hats are made of delicate fabrics, like velvet, faux fur, or fleece. While these materials should be hand washed to preserve their color and texture, machine washing is possible with the right settings and supplies.
These steps detail how to clean a Santa hat by hand and in the washer :
Hand washing :
- Add a small amount of mild detergent to a bucket, tub or sink.
- Submerge the hat in the water and gently rub it together, focusing on areas that are heavily stained.
- Soak the hat for 30-40 minutes.
- Rinse in clear water.
- Air dry on a hanger or drying rack out of direct sunlight. Once dry, comb or brush any fur to restore its fluff.
Machine washing :
- Turn the hat inside out and place it in a mesh bag.
- Wash the bag separately from other items with cool water and mild detergent on a gentle cycle.
- Air dry out of direct sunlight.
How to Wash Christmas Stockings
Washing Christmas stockings is similar to how to wash Christmas sweaters; it largely depends on the material. Velvet, needlepoint, and felt are delicate materials that should be dry cleaned. However, cross-stitched, knit, crocheted, and quilted stockings can all be hand washed safely.
Follow these Christmas stocking cleaning instructions when washing by hand :
- Fill a sink, tub or bucket with cool to lukewarm water.
- Add a small amount of gentle detergent.
- Swirl the stocking in the water and let soak for 30 minutes.
- Rinse with cool water.
- Lay flat to dry.
How to Wash Christmas Tree Skirts
Christmas tree skirts can gather dust, dirt, and a multitude of stains from their spot on the floor. However, since many are beloved holiday decor or even treasured heirlooms, the right cleaning techniques are required.
We recommend spot cleaning most stains by blotting them with a cloth and cold water. Stains like mud and tree sap should harden before scraping them off with a dull butter knife. Yet, If the skirt has significant stains or hasn’t been washed in a while, dry cleaning is best to remove dust and spots. Wondering what to put on that tree skirt once it’s freshly cleaned? Our Christmas cookware gift ideas are perfect for the chef in your life!
When you’re in a holiday pinch, the team at Authorized Appliance can help. From how to wash Christmas sweaters to laundry appliance repairs, we have the expert answer.
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