The air is crisp, the pumpkin spice is flowing, and you’re back to wearing all of your cozy fall favorites. But as you swap out sundresses and shorts for wool sweaters, tweed jackets, and denim layers, one question looms: how do you keep these hardworking fabrics looking sharp all season long?
These autumn staples may be sturdy, but they also require a little extra care come cleaning time. Let’s break down the best ways to care for wool, tweed, and denim so you can enjoy them from the first leaf of the season to the last chilly day.
Related: 5 Reasons to Have Heavy Fall Fabrics Professionally Cleaned
Wool Care 101
Wool is the king of cozy, but it’s also notoriously easy to shrink or misshape if handled incorrectly.
- Avoid frequent washing. Wool is naturally odor- and wrinkle-resistant, so often a gentle air-out is all it needs.
- Spot clean when possible. Dab spills gently with a damp cloth — never scrub.
- Wash with care. If machine-washing is allowed (always check the care tag first), use cold water and a wool-safe detergent. Otherwise, hand-washing or dry cleaning is best.
- Store correctly. Always fold wool sweaters instead of hanging them to prevent stretching.
Read More: How to Prevent and Remove Pilling from Your Knitwear
Tips for Tweed
Tweed, a wool-based fabric originally from Scotland, brings texture, structure, and timeless style to any fall wardrobe. Due to its woolen nature, though, tweed is best handled with some finesse.
- Brush after wearing. A soft clothing brush removes surface dirt and keeps fibers fresh.
- Let it rest. Give tweed jackets and skirts a day between wears to recover their shape.
- Steam, don’t iron. A gentle steam will relax wrinkles without crushing the weave.
- Dry clean seasonally. Tweed garments last longer with professional cleaning, especially before long-term storage.
Pro Tip: Tweed is water-resistant, not waterproof. If it gets damp, hang it somewhere airy to dry — but never near direct heat.
Denim Done Right
Denim may seem super tough, but taking the time to treat it right ensures your jeans, jackets, and skirts age gracefully, instead of looking like something straight from a grunge concert (unless that’s what you’re going for).
- Wash sparingly. Over-washing fades color and weakens fibers. Levi’s suggests washing after every ten uses, or as needed. Spot clean or air out between wears.
- Flip before washing. Turn denim inside out to protect color and prevent streaking.
- Cold is best. Always wash in cold water to maintain shape and reduce shrinking.
- Air dry. Skip the dryer to avoid stiffness and shrinking. Hang to dry instead.
Pro Tip: To refresh denim without washing, hang it in a steamy bathroom or use a fabric refresher spray.
Dependable Fabric Care, Season After Season
Even with the best at-home care, some fabrics will still require professional attention. That’s where Dependable Cleaners comes in. From delicate wool knits to structured tweed blazers and your go-to denim, our experts know exactly how to clean, press, and preserve your fall wardrobe favorites, even when disaster (or just a really tough stain) strikes.
With advanced techniques, eco-friendly processes, and decades of experience, we want your clothes to make as much of a statement as the Autumn leaves — and our same-day service, free pickup & delivery, and convenient 24-hour self-serve kiosks mean you won’t have to miss a single memorable moment of your favorite season.
Looking to spruce up your fall best? Call us today at 303-777-2673, or visit one of our convenient Denver area locations.
