9 things to launder before fall & winter

With Labor Day behind us, it won’t be long before we’ll be turning up the heat and nestling in for the long, cold winter. There’s now a way to take the sting out of those first cold days. But with a little preparation, making the transition from warm to cold weather can be a little easier. For starters, let’s freshen up some household items and winter weather gear. Here are nine things to launder now:

Duvets: Laundering or dry cleaning your duvet now means that it will be ready to toss on the bed at the first sight of frost. Many comforters and duvets can be machine washed. Check the label on your duvet for specifics.

Mattress pads: You know those nights when the mercury climbed and you woke up in a sweaty puddle? Um, yeah, it’s time to wash that mattress pad.

Pillows: You already wash your bedding on a weekly basis. But what about your pillows? This is a good time to give them a good cleaning as well. Check the label on your pillows for proper care.

Winter coats: It might seem too early to be thinking about puffer coats, but subzero temperatures are just a few calendar pages away. When spring arrived, you were so excited to ditch the winter coat that you stuffed it in the closet, stains and all. Pull it out while it’s still nice outside and get it ready for that first snowfall.

Scarves, gloves and mittens: Pull them out of storage, wash them and hang them outside on a clothesline. Then, the first time you have to wrap yourself in a scarf it will smell like summer.

Sweaters: While many sweaters are dry clean only, some can be laundered in a washing machine. To prevent shrinkage and pilling, lay sweaters flat to dry.

Rugs and bathmats: Once snow starts falling and ice gets sprinkled across sidewalks and walkways, those throw rugs are going to take a beating. Get them prepped now by throwing them in the washer.

Summer clothes: Before you pack away those summer whites and linen shirts for the season, make sure they’re freshly laundered. This will prevent any stains from setting in while they hibernate for the season. Plus, they’ll be good to go next spring!

Curtains: It was so great having the windows open all summer. But with that fresh air came a lot of dust and dirt. Before you close up the house for winter, pull down the curtains and throw them in the washing machine.

Whether spring, summer, fall or winter, small loads or large, Kenmore has the laundry solutions to suit your needs.