When winter hits Chicago, laundry changes dramatically. Lightweight summer tees and shorts give way to heavy cable-knit sweaters, fleece base layers, down jackets, salt-stained denim, and thick thermal bedding. Apartment radiators blast dry air while small bathrooms become crowded with drying racks.
Washing winter garments without shrinking wool, ruining down fill, or building up mildew requires the right techniques. Here is how to navigate winter laundry in Chicago apartments.
1. Caring for heavy knitwear without shrinking
Wool, cashmere, and blended sweaters shrink when subjected to heat, agitation, and sudden temperature shifts. Always check the care label before washing:
- Wash on a gentle cold-water cycle or hand-wash in cool water with gentle detergent.
- Never wring out a wet sweater; roll it in a dry bath towel and press gently to absorb moisture.
- Dry flat on a ventilated rack away from direct radiator heat to maintain shape.
2. Washing down comforters and puffer coats safely
Down feathers clump together when wet. If comforters and puffers are dried without proper airflow, moisture gets trapped inside the baffles, creating unpleasant odors and destroying loft. Commercial high-capacity dryers with low heat and wool dryer balls fluff down clusters back into cloud-like comfort.
3. Removing winter street salt from pants and coats
Chicago streets are heavily salted throughout winter, leaving white crusty rings around pant cuffs and jacket hems. Washing salted garments with regular detergent can lock salt stains in. Dissolve a tablespoon of white vinegar in a cup of cool water, dab the salt line with a clean cloth before washing, and launder as normal.
Let Fold keep your winter wardrobe fresh
Freezing temperatures, icy sidewalks, and snowdrifts make hauling heavy laundry bags to the laundromat miserable. With Fold (https://itsfolded.com/start/pickup), scheduled couriers pick up your winter laundry right from your building lobby or doorstep. Enjoy clean, fresh, perfectly folded clothes without ever leaving your warm apartment.