The fall and winter months are perfect for cozying up in your favorite sweater, but when taking it out of storage, it might be a bit musty or dusty! To freshen it up and prepare it for the season, follow these steps below to achieve ultimate sweater satisfaction. 

Step 1: Give your sweaters a good wash 

After coming out of storage, your sweaters might have picked up some dust or gotten a bit crumpled. The first thing you can do to freshen your garment up is to give it a good wash! When washing sweaters, you should always wash on the “delicates” setting, or at least make sure that the temperature is set on a “cold” wash. 

Step 2: Don’t forget the air drying 

Since sweaters are delicate, machine drying is dangerous for the longevity of the material. Sweaters should be air dried if at all possible, to preserve the quality of the fibers. Machine drying also runs the risk of shrinking your sweater, whereas air drying doesn’t present the same issue. Air drying, instead, allows your sweater’s material to breathe, and not shrink. 

Step 3: Use the Save Our Sweaters brush 

With our soft-bristled Save Our Sweaters brush, there’s no need to use harsh materials like stone or lint rollers on your clothes. The SOS brush removes lint and pilling on sweaters made from 100% natural fibers. 

Step 4: Read our other sweater blog posts!

For more sweater care tips and tricks, catch up on all the fabulous articles we’ve written about sweater care! There’s an epidemic of poor sweater care, and we’re here to help change that. 

Articles to read if… 

• you’re pulling your sweater collection out of storage: How to Freshen Up Your Sweaters After Storage 

• you’re in the middle of sweater season: Maintaining Your Sweaters Throughout the Season 

• you want a holistic view on sweater care: It’s All In the Sweater Care 

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

The post Preparing Your Sweater Collection for Fall and Winter appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Spring doesn’t mean it’s time to store your sweaters away quite yet! If you’re one of the fashionistas who sheds tears each time you store away your sweaters, then this post is for you. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the season’s hottest (or coolest?) spring-specific sweaters. This spring, sweater vests, sweater tanks, and sweater tees have skyrocketed in popularity– giving you the opportunity to wear sweaters nearly year-round! Some of these pieces even suffice for summer weather, which is the perfect opportunity for those of you who are severely sweater-attached! 

Long-Sleeved Sweaters 

Spring weather varies across the country– and across the world– bringing everything from sun, to rain, and sometimes even snow! These long-sleeved sweaters are perfect for the chillier spring days, when all you want to do is curl up next to the windowpane and stare out dreamily into the softly falling rain, or for when the skies are grey and all you can do is frolic through the cherry blossoms blooming in the midst of the chill. 

Sweater Vests 

Sweater vests are the perfect transition piece for entering spring and leaving winter behind. Without the full heft of a long-sleeve sweater, the vest is plenty enough to keep you warm, while adding your own personal flare! Traditionally, sweater vests are worn over a button-up blouse. Recently, however, wearing the vests on their own has been trending upward! The beauty of the sweater vest is its sophistication and versatility, so don’t be afraid to try something new! 

Sweater Tanks 

One step further than the sweater vest is the sweater tank top. Equipped with summer-style ease paired with the comfort of sweater material, these tops are the newest and trendiest pieces on the market. They’re great for beach outings and lounging in the soft spring sunshine. 

Cashmere Camisole | Banana Republic 

Shimmer Linen-Blend Sweater Tank | Banana Republic

Linen-Blend Sweater Tank | Banana Republic 

Short-Sleeved and Sweater Tees 

If none of the above options feel quite right for your spring sweater needs, look into short-sleeved sweaters and sweater tees! Along with sweater tank tops, these are another new trend for 2021. The sweaters below are made with comfortable and soft materials, and whether cotton or cashmere, will provide the perfect balance for unpredictable spring weather. 

Organic Cotton Sweater Top | Banana Republic 

Cashmere Short-Sleeve Sweater | Banana Republic 

Women’s Crewneck Pullover Sweater – Universal Thread™ 

Remember: with any sweater you wear, taking proper care of it is of the utmost importance! Use Lilly Brush’s Save Our Sweaters Brush to keep your sweaters free of pills and fuzz! For more sweater care tips, read our blog posts It’s All in the Sweater Care and Save Your Sweaters! 

For more fun sweater ideas, check out our Pinterest page, where we share fashion inspiration of all kinds!

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

The post The Best Sweaters to Add to Your Spring 2021 Wardrobe appeared first on Lilly Brush.

It’s far too easy to get the wrong idea that in order to keep clothes in pristine condition, they must be of the highest end fabrics from the most expensive brands. Contrary to popular belief, this is not the case. The most important thing about sweaters is not necessarily what material it is– but how you take care of the material. 

What’s sustainable? 

Granted, most higher-end, natural-fiber sweaters are the most sustainable route, but so are thrifted and secondhand materials. Many of these secondhand materials are likely to be polyester, nylon, or another synthetic weave. 

By nature, materials like polyester aren’t sustainable, and shouldn’t be purchased new if  avoidable. However, considering the rise of thrift and consignment stores, many polyester-like items are found dangling off the never-ending clothing racks. Even if you do choose to newly purchase a polymer weave garment, there are ways to promote the longevity of the piece. 

All-natural fibers will always be the winners in our book, and the most sustainable option long-term, but if you take the time and energy to give your synthetic fibers the proper care, they just might last you nearly as long. 

What is proper care?

First and foremost, you should always treat your garments with care! It doesn’t matter what material the piece is composed of; you should treat each clothing item as if it were of the highest-end material and design. Sweaters are the most difficult pieces to take care of, generally, because of the delicacy of the materials and the side effects of improper care. Sweaters are prone to shrinkage, pilling, and other natural sweater disasters if not cared for properly (and even sometimes when cared for properly!). 

Proper care consists of the most beneficial washing and drying cycle, coupled with responsible storage methods. 

Washing and Drying

The most effective way to promote healthy sweater care, even amongst synthetic fibers, is to use the right washing and drying methods. 

First, use the right washing cycle! We recommend ALWAYS machine-washing on cold, since warm temperatures induce risk of material shrinkage or color bleeding. A cold cycle also reduces the risk of color fading and keeps your garment in pristine condition. 

Second, you should never, and I mean NEVER, machine-dry your sweaters. This will only damage the fibers, leading to either shrinkage, shedding, or extreme pilling. The more you machine-dry a garment, the more worn-down it becomes over time. As a rule of thumb, the only garments you should consistently machine-dry are socks, undergarments, t-shirts or any underclothing that isn’t worn as an outer layer. Hang-drying is the best option for any clothing item not aforementioned, such as pants, sweaters, blouses, and the like. 

If you’re unsure exactly which cycle to choose for your sweater washing, sometimes the delicate cycle is the best way to go, since the cycle is preset on cold wash and will give your garments a gentler wash than a regular cycle. 

Storage

Whether you’re freshening up your sweaters from storage, storing them away, or simply holding them in your closet, proper sweater storage is just as important for sweater care as your washing and drying methods. When simply storing your sweaters for immediate use, the best method is to fold your sweaters into drawers or some place where they can lay flat. Never hang your sweaters if you want to avoid shoulder bulges from hangers! For more storage tips, read our all-encompassing post here.

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

The post It’s All in the Sweater Care appeared first on Lilly Brush.

We know that finding the perfect sweater can be a daunting task. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the season’s trendiest and most timeless items for your convenience, just in time for holiday shopping! In addition to our collected sweaters, we’ve included an extra item at the end of the post that you didn’t know you needed until now. 

Sustainable Clothing Companies 

Sustainability is finding its way in the fashion industry, and rightfully so. There are still many unsustainable and unethical clothing brands on the market, but in recent years, sustainable brands have stepped up to match them. Everlane is one of the current most sustainable clothing companies out there, with stylish and comfortable clothing. The company is completely transparent about sourcing, materials, and cost, and have some of the best sweaters you’ll ever find: 

• Everlane Oversized Stroopwafel Turtleneck in ReCashmere: This cozy sweater is made from 100% recycled cashmere yarn, making it a sustainable and comfortable wear. Sweaters such as this are investment pieces; it will last many years, and due to its longevity, is worth the price. 

• Everlane Oversized Alpaca Crew: Composed of an alpaca/wool blend, this sweater suits all your wintery needs. The alpaca blend creates a soft, warm material, perfect for going out or staying in. You can shop guilt-free from anything Everlane has to offer, due to the brand’s sustainability and ethical manufacturing. 

Mockneck Turtlenecks 

Mocknecks are essentially halved turtlenecks– they’re lighter weight and can appear more chic, depending on the material. Here are some of this winter’s most stylish mocknecks: 

• Millie Mozart Knit Turtleneck: This 100% cotton sweater is affordable and easy to care for. It comes in four different colors, both neutral and vibrant. 

• Cable-Knit Mockneck: H&M recently created their “Conscious” line, which uses recycled materials to create clothing. This cable-knit mockneck is sustainable as well as stylish. 

Neutrals

Neutrals are in this year– and most likely, for years to come. Neutral tones are classic, chic, and upscale, and are sure to lengthen your wardrobe by many years. 

• H&M Knit Mockneck: Since H&M’s recent movement towards sustainability, many of their clothing items have transitioned to recycled material blends. This sweater’s composition is primarily recycled polyester, and is a perfect neutral taupe for winter. 

• Teddy Wool Blend Crewneck: Whites are neutrals, too, and add a stark contrast to any wardrobe. Wool will keep you warmest during the cold winter months, and with this sweater, you’ll stay warm in style.

• Madewell Windowpane Turtleneck: Caught somewhere in between turtleneck and mock neck, this neutral patterned sweater diverges from the “plain old” neutrals and adds some pizzazz to your neutral collection. 

Cashmere

The majority of people have a hard time investing in cashmere clothing. Typically, cashmere is fairly expensive, driving away the average consumer. However, sometimes the investment is worth the longevity of the piece, since cashmere will last many years when taken care of properly. Other times, cashmere doesn’t have to be as expensive as most prices offer. 

• Everlane Cashmere Raglan Mock Neck: All at once a mock neck, cashmere, and from a sustainable company, this piece is everything you’re looking for this season! Everlane doesn’t always have to be expensive– if you can find them on Nordstrom Rack, their pieces are much more affordable to the average consumer. 

• Madewell Cashmere Shrunken Sweatshirt:  Add some color to your cashmere and choose from Rusted Torch or Sun-Faded Mint. Although this cashmere piece is higher in price, it will last for a long time and will stand the test of time as long as it’s taken care of as advised. 

• (Re)sourced Cashmere Turtleneck Tunic: Composed of 70% recycled cashmere, this sweater is a sustainable turtleneck option. 

The Save Our Sweaters Brush 

The portable, pill-removing Save Our Sweaters Brush by Lilly Brush is a must-have for all your sweater care needs. This brush works on 100% natural fiber materials such as cashmere, wool, cotton, and angora. It is not, however, effective on polyester, nylon, or acrylic. In addition to removing pills, it also removes pet hair from natural fiber garments. This brush is highly recommended for anyone who owns a natural fiber sweater. It will change you and your sweater’s lives! 

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

The post This Winter’s Top Women’s Sweater Picks appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Now that we’re well into November, your favorite sweaters are sure to be in your weekly outfit rotation. After properly storing your knitwear through the summer, and unboxing it for the fall, it’s time to take sweater care to the next level. Sweater maintenance is just as important as prepping sweaters for and removing sweaters from storage, so we’ve created a comprehensive guide to consistently caring for your favorite knitwear. 

Hand Wash Delicate Materials

To prevent frayed threads and to keep your sweaters in pristine condition, hand washing is the best way to go. Place your sweater in a bucket of cool water. Then, add  laundry detergent and let the fabric soak for about 30 minutes. Once properly soaked, remove from the bucket and rinse under cold water. 

Freeze Out Carpet Bugs

The best (and easiest) way to get rid of any obnoxious bugs is to stick your sweater in the freezer! The low temperature creates a hostile environment for any little creature, and will make it impossible for mites to continue chewing at your fabrics. Keep your sweater in the freezer for anywhere between a few hours to a full day. If you’re having a consistent bug issue, read more here for more tips and tricks. 

Get to Know your De-Fuzzing Brush

Specially designed sweater brushes have proven to be much more efficient than lint rollers. While lint rollers seem to provide a quick solution, they endanger the safety of your delicate fabrics, and don’t get at the root of the problem. Invest instead in a brush like this, which will work wonders on all your natural fiber sweaters. 

Safe Machine Washing 

If you don’t have the time or luxury to wash each of your sweaters by hand, be sure to machine wash them properly. Turn your sweaters inside out to help prevent pilling, and run the wash on a shorter cycle. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully depending on the sweater material, and always run sweater cycles on cold. To avoid shrinkage and excess pills, allow your garment to air dry– do NOT use a drying machine. 

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

The post Maintaining your Sweaters throughout the Season appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Why Sweaters?

Autumn’s chill has begun to settle into the morning breeze, the leaves that crunch under your boots, and the fog of your daily coffee. Fall is the most enchanting season; the leaves teach us that it’s okay to fall, that we’ll be born anew if only we are patient (just like our sweaters have been, awaiting our return and their deliverance from tattered cardboard boxes and dingy basements).

One of the most common questions at the beginning of the fall season is this: “How do I revive my sweater after it’s been in storage?” Too many people assume that putting sweaters into storage and taking them out again is far simpler than it actually is. 

If you’ve somehow stumbled across this post at the end of winter, check out the Lilly Brush Team’s last post on sweater care, for when you’re packing your sweaters up for storage. 

For those of you who have found this post in early to mid-autumn, read on to find our best advice for removing your sweaters from storage.

Step 1

After being stored away for so long, your sweater needs some extra attention and TLC. Since it’s been stored away for months, once it comes out of hiding, the first thing it needs is a good wash. 

Clean your sweater in the washer on the delicate setting or wash by hand in cold or room temperature water. Water that’s warm or hot will shrink the sweater, so avoid anything warmer than room temperature in order to keep your sweater in pristine condition. 

Step 2

Allow your sweater to air dry before moving forward in the sweater revival process. Lay on a towel or drying rack to avoid hanger marks in the sleeves. 

Your sweater may have collected a few unsuspected scents after emerging from the box it’s been stored in, so a thorough wash and dry is essential to the wellbeing and longevity of your most treasured sweaters. Allowing your sweater to dry in a clean, fresh area will infuse the sweater with the cleanliness and freshness of the area. 

Step 3

Your sweater will most likely have pills and lint after coming out of storage, especially if it wasn’t stored in the proper conditions. Use our handy Save Our Sweaters brush to rid of all the excess pillage and dust! This brush works on 100% natural fibers, including cashmere, wool, and cotton. Even I have been guilty of improperly storing my sweaters during the summer months, and this brush has done nothing less than save my sweaters. 

The Save Our Sweaters brush was specifically designed for those excess annoyances that prevent your sweater from being the most fashionable item in your wardrobe, and will leave you and your sweaters with a vibrant fall glow.  

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

The post How to Freshen Up your Sweaters after Storage appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Moths and carpet beetles love to chew through sweaters that contain bacteria and sweat remains. Storing these items for long periods of time make them more prone to these nasty little creatures. Keeping your sweaters safe all summer long requires some time and care, but it’s really not that hard! We’ve broken down what it takes to keep your sweaters looking brand new year after year.

For sweaters with 100% Natural Fibers

• HAND WASH
• Put your sweater in a bowl of water, cool but not too cold, with liquid detergent (hair shampoo is preferred) and hand wash
  • Lay flat on a towel, roll in the towel and pat out excess water. DO NOT RING DRY!
  • Transfer to a second dry towel, let sit until dry

Alternative to Washing

• Place sweater in freezer or an extremely hot car for 24-48 hours
  • This will kill any larvae that have been deposited on the sweater and will then be ready to store for the summer

What Next?

• Brush the sweater to remove pills and any other items trapped in the material
• If your sweater is knitted from all natural fibers, our Save Our Sweaters Brush can come into play!
  • This brush does not work on man made fibers only 100% natural fibers
  • Cashmere, silk, cotton, merino
• This brush is too gentle to attack pills on materials like polyester and nylon
• Place in a cotton bag, or a sweater box with cedar balls

We get it, this is all time consuming. But do you really want to have one of your best golf sweaters or hand knitted Christmas gifts ruined because you didn’t take the time to put it away properly? Nobody loves celebrating the arrival of warm weather by cleaning their house, but a deep spring clean is always necessary. Once next winter comes around, we promise you’ll be ecstatic to find your clean sweaters don’t have any holes or pills and come out looking like new!

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

old.lillybrush.com

Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post Save Your Sweaters! appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post Bombs away! Extreme knitters bring color to the streets of San Francisco appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Ann put Lilly Brush to the test on hot water bottle cover she knit out of a Debbie Bliss Andes yarn, a delicate alpaca & silk blend –  the pills and fuzz never stood a fighting chance!

“I’m happy to report it’s both a good size to hold and also carry in your project bag. It’s not very heavy, either. A few quick passes with the Lilly Brush and the cover was as good as new. I mean, I knew it was looking beat up, but I didn’t realize how bad it had become until I cleaned it up.”

AND LOOK AT ALL THOSE PILLS AND FUZZ!

Now that Ann had saved her knit from an early grave, she moved on to pet hair – which there was no shortage of with two golden retrievers! Like most of our dogs, they also believe they deserve a spot on the sofa. Ann put Lilly Brush to work on a fleece blanket- a true pet hair magnet!

Lilly Brush made a “dramatic difference” in conquering the pet hair on her blanket. See her original blog post for more content and before and afters!

Click here to visit Knitting Fevers Facebook page and ‘like’ them for a chance to win a free Lilly Brush!

Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post Knitting Fever Loves Lilly Brush! appeared first on Lilly Brush.

“Lilly Brush came as a solution to my problem. Lilly Brush is a lightweight, compact bristled brush that removes lint, pills and pet hair from all natural fibers.”

“This brush won’t damage delicate fabric and sweater weaves and does a great job of “clean up” with minimal effort.”

“I hate pills on my sweaters and other clothing items because they make them appear old and abused. I was shocked that with just a few swipes of the Lilly Brush that my woolens and sweaters were resuscitated. This saved me from prematurely donating the items and extended the life span of some pieces that now look practically brand new.”

“It also does a great job of sweeping up pet hair from clothes and furniture…Once “full”, the brush head is easily cleaned of fur, and is ready for more. (So much better than trying to remove fur with one of those tape lint rollers!)”

Click here to see the full review and great comments as well!

Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post Rescuing Sweaters from Pills and Fur One Closet at a Time appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Here’s what they had to say about Lilly Brush:

“”Unlike a comb, the Lilly Brush utilizes very dense nylon bristles that easily pick up pills without harming fabric.  I tested it on a wool and synthetic blended cardigan that has some snags, and The Lilly Brush didn’t affect the snags at all when I brushed over them.”

“As far as pill removal though, I have to say, I’m impressed.  I’ve used it on several different fabrics, including cotton that had some tiny pilling going on, and cashmere gloves, and the brush has worked on all of them.  Plus the brush itself is compact and comes with a cover, making it easy to take along on travels.”

See Full Article 

Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post EVERY MAN NEEDS A LILLY BRUSH TOO! appeared first on Lilly Brush.