It's Time To Start That Winter Laundry Checklist. Here's Where To Start

When the winter chill hits, it's time to get out all of the winter gear from storage. Meteorologically speaking, the week of December 21 marks the official start of winter in the United States, with the arrival of winter solstice. Yet, as the weather cools (brrr) and we creep closer to the holidays, it's a good time to start preparing your winter laundry checklist — even if it's not "officially" winter. Each spring, you might store snuggly sweaters, cozy blankets, and other bulky items such as thick drapes or seasonal tablecloths. Opening the storage bags or totes might have you thinking how happy you are to see the items, but also, how will you do all of this laundry? You're not alone! If you're overwhelmed by what to wash before winter after unpacking your winter items, you can start with your clothing and then work your way through other household necessities.

Chances are, you weren't washing your winter gear as much as you needed to the previous year. The limited airflow in storage bags means that their contents may smell musty as you open them, or they just need a bit of a freshening up. The laundry loads can quickly pile up as you prep for winter because warmer clothing and linens tend to be bulky. This means you'll likely be taking up more space in the washing machine and might have to wash more loads to prepare for the season. Navigating what to wash first is easy if you follow this winter laundry checklist, however. So don't panic over that seemingly never-ending laundry load. Here's what to wash first for the cooler days ahead.

You probably intend to wear your winter clothing soon and need to look your best, so approach your winter laundry tasks by beginning with these. Look over your clothing carefully for any rips, snags, or stains, and ensure you empty the pockets before you throw it in the wash. If you have a piece of clothing you can't repair, put it aside to take to a tailor, or consider adding it to your scrap bag. Separate anything that needs dry cleaning away from your to-wash pile to avoid any laundry mishaps with your favorite sweater or jacket. Not every piece of clothing has the same needs, so read each label carefully! Some outerwear can safely go in your washing machine, provided you use the right settings. You can easily wash items like puffer jackets and other non-wool coats at home, inside-out, on a delicate cycle in cool or cold water. Close all the clothing's snaps and zippers before washing to avoid the garment snagging during the cycle.  

While going through your winter laundry pile, you might have a few things you should never wash in your laundry machine; if so, these garments might fare better if you hand wash them carefully with lukewarm water and a gentle liquid detergent. For instance, hand-knitted or wool items should undergo a handwash session, but those made of acrylic yarn can often go in the washing machine. Take a deep breath because the worst of it — your winter clothes — are clean! With that out of the way, you can now launder everything else on your winter laundry to-do list.

Once your favorite fleece pajamas are warm out of the dryer, you'll probably want to jump into bed on cozy sheets, so those are going in next. Launder flannel sheets in warm water, then air dry or tumble dry with tennis balls to help soften them. Follow this by washing comforters, quilts, and heavy blankets according to their care instructions. However, the bed is just the beginning. Think of all of the hours you and your family spent on a couch, chair, or cushion over a year. When was the last time you washed the covers? Once you've determined that they are, in fact, a bit stinky, find out how to wash your upholstery fabric with the items' labels. While you're at it, you can also take the time to wash any washable rugs of everything your family and pets tracked in over the last year. Experts recommend washing rugs every 12 to 18 months, though you should clean them more if they live in a high-traffic area.

You'll need to clean your curtains as well, whether you swap them out with themed curtains for a cute holiday aesthetic or insulate windows with blackout drapes. You don't want to breathe in the accumulated dust and dander lingering from last year. Do your lungs a favor; shake your curtains gently outside or vacuum to remove the dust. With your machine set to delicates, wash the panels in cold water. Last but not least, consider washing any table linens, such as decorative tablecloths and cloth napkins, as well, especially if you plan to host this holiday. Do this early, and you'll be ready for the big day, plus you will have time to replace them if they're a bit too stained.