These winter essentials deserve your full attention, both for their maintenance and for taking care of your skin. The proof.
With the cold setting in, hats, gloves and scarves are making a comeback. Warm rooms, essential in winter, but capable of turning into breeding grounds for bacteria if they are not cleaned regularly. Taking care of your clothes this season also means taking care of your skin, because the latter, in direct contact with your face, can cause imperfections. So, how often should you wash them to keep your skin beautiful all winter? We explain everything to you.
Every day, gloves, hats and scarves accumulate sebum, sweat, and even pollution particles on your skin. Worn close to the face, they become real vectors of bacteria causing pimples or even irritation. The hat, for example, naturally absorbs sweat. Without washing, it’s the perfect recipe for a forehead covered in imperfections. As for the scarf, it captures impurities which can easily pass into the respiratory tract, especially when worn near the nose and mouth. Finally, gloves, although less in contact with the face, are not left out. They capture dust and germs and therefore need to be washed regularly to avoid putting these bacteria back into circulation every time you put them on.
However, it is true that washing these pieces, often made of wool, cashmere or other delicate materials, can be a headache. To avoid damaging the material, machine wash at 30 degrees with the special wool program, or even better, wash by hand. Add a little mild shampoo in addition to the wool detergent, this will soften the fibers without damaging them. No fabric softener, however, as this could damage the material. After washing, wring out gently, then let dry flat on a towel. For materials like cotton, viscose or polyester, follow the garment’s specific washing instructions, usually a delicate cycle at 30 degrees. When it comes to washing frequency, dermatologist Barbara Franz is categorical: “do it once every four weeks.” This will be enough to prevent the build-up of bacteria and keep your winter accessories clean and fresh, while taking care of your skin.
And if frequent washing of delicate materials puts you off, a tip is to alternate between several accessories. For example, a wool hat one day, a cotton hat the next. This will prevent you from putting too much strain on your winter clothes and will preserve them in the long term.
