The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How to wash cashmere sweaters
Q: I’m prepping for the cooler days ahead. How can I get my old cashmere sweaters to look like new? — Margaret Austin, Richmond, Virginia
A: First, do a bit of detailing. Remove fine bumps by lightly brushing the garment with a fabric comb (try the D-Fuzz-It; $10.50, amazon. com), or gently snipping off pills with a small, sharp pair of scissors. Then wash each sweaterinluke warm water, as heat can cause shrinkage. Because cashmere is extrasensitive when wet, always hand-wash it; in a machine, the fibers can stretch and warp permanently. And to maintain the size, fasten any buttons, and note the measurements before you begin to reference when drying.
How-to: cashmere hand-washing
1. Swish and soak
Fill a tub with tepid water and a few drops of liquid detergent (mild dish soap is fine). Submerge the gar- ment and swirl it around, then let it soak for 10 minutes.
2. Rinse it clean
Gently ball up the sweater; empty the basin and refill it with clean water. Don’t wring, twist or hold the fabric under the faucet, which will distort its shape. Gently swoosh it around instead, squeezing slightly between rinses. Drain, refill and repeat until there are no more bubbles.
3. Roll it out
Lay it dow no no ne end of a large, dry white (to prevent color transfer) bath towel on a flat surface. Fold the towel in half to cover the sweater, then roll carefully from the creased side, pressing and squeezing out water as you go.
4. Dry it right
Place the sweater on a dry towel on a flat surface, or on a mesh drying rack; make sure it’s in a place with good air circulation. It will retain its shape as it dries, so square off the shoulders and hems, and keep the sleeves parallel to the body, coaxing the sweater back to its prewash measurements.
5. Steam and stow Smooth out fine wrinkles by steaming the sweater or lightly ironing it using the wool or steam setting. Store it folded, not on a hanger, which will stretch it out. Q: How can I make mealtime easier for my older dog, who has trouble bending down? — Ed Piper, Hamden, Connecticut
A: Elevating his food and water bowls can offer relief to a pooch who has arthritis or back pain; it eliminates the pressure that stooping puts on the neck, spine, joints and muscles. ( Just check with your vet to ensure Lucky doesn’t have a gastrointestinal issue this could aggravate.) Our do-ityourself feeding station clev- erly repurposes a custompainted stair tread and wallbracket kit. To determine the appropriate shelf height for your dog, measure the distance from the floor to the spot where his legs meet his chest. He’ll like having ready access to his dinner — and you’ll love how it stops spills and keeps kibble from scattering everywhere.