I love to get my sweaters dry-cleaned. I find that no matter how hard I try to hand wash them or wash them on the delicate cycle, they just don't come out the same as they do when they are dry cleaned.
Getting an article of clothing dry cleaned makes it feel brand new. BUT it is also expensive and time consuming to get clothing dry cleaned. So what's the answer?
The beauty of the 20-outfit wardrobe (as I always encourage) is that you will only be wearing each outfit about twice a month or about 12 times a year (if you live in a climate with both warm and cold months). You may have more or less outfits or wear some outfits more than others, but overall it gives you a baseline number to work with.
And this is where a little white t-shirt is your best friend. If you wear a cotton t-shirt under your sweaters, you may need to only get them dry cleaned every 5-6 wears. Which means only twice a year. Some argue you can get them dry cleaned as little as once a year or on an as needed basis when they don't smell as fresh or they have gotten dirty. If you do not wear a t-shirt under your sweater, you likely can only get away with wearing them once or twice before washing them.
Wearing a t-shirt under a sweater will let you get months of wear out of it before having to dry clean it. It can also help you with a dry cleaning budget and what pieces are worth getting done.
Cotton t-shirts feel nice against the skin, absorb sweat and can be washed after each wear. This protects the sweater and gives it a lot more wears before washing. And less washing means the sweater will last longer as there will be less wear and tear on it. It can also add additional insulation for warmth and prevent itching or irritation from sweaters.
And a little white t-shirt showing at the neck line can be an easy way to style a sweater!
So next time you are unsure whether to invest in a sweater because of the cost of cleaning it or not knowing how to wash it on your own, consider wearing a t-shirt underneath!
*This is based on personal preference and always read the washing instructions on an article of clothing before washing it.
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