The Spring Wardrobe Transition: How to Correctly Wash and Store Your Winter Woollens

With winter officially behind us (well, in some states of Australia that is, Melbourne seems to be hanging onto the winter weather a tad longer), our minds are naturally shifting to lightweight linen, vibrant spring edits, and sun-drenched days. But before you completely swap out your wardrobe for the new season, there is one crucial housekeeping task that deserves your attention: properly packing away your winter woollies.
 
Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t always been a wool-care expert. In fact, my past attempts at laundering knitwear usually ended in absolute heartbreak. I can’t tell you how many beautiful, investment jumpers I’ve accidentally shrunk down to doll-sized proportions, or ended up completely felting into a stiff, unwearable mess because I rushed the process. We’ve all been there, staring at a ruined favourite, wishing we’d just paid more attention.
 
Whether your storage style involves neat folding, archival fabric boxes, or space-saving vacuum bags, taking a little extra care now is the ultimate investment in your wardrobe’s future. Learning how to handle these delicate fabrics properly ensures your investment pieces will look just as beautiful when next winter rolls around—no shrinking required.
 
The Golden Rule: Clean Before You Pack
Wool is a bit of a miracle fibre. It is naturally stain and odour-resistant, meaning it generally requires far less laundering than the rest of your wardrobe. However, packing garments away at the end of the season without a proper wash is a recipe for disaster.
Even if a jumper looks clean, microscopic body oils, perfume residue, and hidden dust particles can settle deep into the fibres over months of storage. This not only causes permanent yellowing and stubborn stains, but it also acts as an open invitation for moths.
“When it comes to delicate fabrics such as wool, the right care can make all the difference to how a garment looks, feels and lasts,” explains Madeline Li, Marketing Manager at ASKO Australia. “By selecting the appropriate wash and dry settings on ASKO’s premium laundry machines, you can give your favourite pieces the care they need while helping extend their lifespan.”
 
How to Wash Your Investment Knits (Without the Stress)
Caring for luxury natural fibres doesn’t have to mean tedious hand-washing or risking the dreaded shrink-cycle. If you are using a premium machine like an ASKO, you can safely automate the process by following a few simple steps:
    • Turn Them Inside Out: Always flip your woollen garments inside out before placing them in the drum. This simple trick dramatically reduces friction, helping to prevent pilling and keeping the face of the fabric smooth.
    • Trust the ‘Wool/Hand Wash’ Setting: Skip the standard cycles (which is exactly how those felting disasters happen!). ASKO’s dedicated ‘Wool/Hand Wash’ setting uses precise temperature controls and gentle cradle movements to mimic the care of a traditional hand wash, protecting delicate natural fibres from stretching or matting.
    • Keep Your Puffers Fluffy: For down coats and puffer jackets, select the specialized ‘Down’ setting. This keeps the filling perfectly distributed, preventing the feathers from clumping into lumpy pockets.
    • Embrace the Power of Steam: If a winter coat or heavy knit isn’t actually soiled but just needs a seasonal refresh, skip the water entirely. The ‘Steam Refresh’ function effortlessly removes wrinkles and neutralizes lingering odours without putting the garment through a full, unnecessary wash cycle.

The Secret to a Truly Hygienic Clean
When storing clothing long-term, you want to ensure it is completely free from bacteria. Standard washing machines often utilize traditional rubber door bellows, which can trap moisture, black mould, and bacteria over time.
To solve this, ASKO washing machines and dryers feature a Hygienic Steel Seal. This smart, seamless design allows for 95% less bacterial growth compared to traditional rubber seals, ensuring your garments receive a genuinely deep, hygienic clean before they are packed away.
 
To Tumble Dry or Not?
The old myth that you can never tumble dry wool is officially busted—provided you have the right technology. Always check your garment’s care label first, but many woollen pieces can be safely dried using a dedicated ‘Wool’ setting on low heat to entirely avoid shrinking.
ASKO’s Butterfly Drying™ solution tumbles clothes in a unique figure-eight motion. This clever engineering prevents clothes from bunching together, ensuring an even dry and leaving your favourite knits feeling soft, airy, and beautifully restored.
Taking an afternoon to properly prep, wash, and store your winter staples won’t just save you time next autumn—it will ensure your most-loved wardrobe pieces stand the test of time.