Your Fall Closet Swap: Washing Sweaters, Jackets and Summer Clothes

Cooler mornings in West Orange are the signal: it is time to pull the sweaters and jackets out of storage and put the shorts and sundresses away. A seasonal closet swap is the perfect moment to give everything a proper wash, so the clothes you pack up come out fresh next year, and the ones you bring out feel ready to wear.

Wash before you store

Summer clothes that look clean can still hold sunscreen, body oils and small spills. Over a few months in a bin, those can turn into yellow marks and stale smells. Washing everything before it goes into storage is the simplest way to avoid surprises when warm weather comes back.

Do it all in one trip

At home, a full closet swap can take a whole weekend of back-to-back loads. At Fresh Wash we have 107 washers and dryers in multiple sizes, so you can sort your laundry into piles and run several loads side by side. Summer clothes, beach towels and the sweaters coming out of storage can all be done in a single visit.

Cold water does most of the work

Cold water is kinder to colors and helps prevent shrinking, which matters for both summer cottons and fall knits. Every wash at Fresh Wash is ozone sanitized for free, which cleans and softens whites and colors without bleach or hot water, so cold is all most loads need.

Treat sweaters gently

• Read the care label first. Some wool and cashmere is hand wash or dry clean only.

• Turn knits inside out to reduce pilling.

• Choose a gentle cycle and give them room to move, rather than packing the machine full.

• Lay sweaters flat to dry, or use low heat if the label allows it.

Get jackets ready

Empty the pockets, close zippers and fasten any snaps or Velcro before washing, so nothing snags. Bulky jackets clean better in a machine with space to tumble, which is where our larger machines help. Our dryers reverse-spin to prevent clumping and finish with an anti-wrinkle cycle, which is helpful for puffy, filled coats. Always check the label before washing outerwear.

Go easy on the detergent

More soap does not mean cleaner clothes. Too much can leave residue that dulls fabric and traps odors. Our portion-controlled Soap Bar gives each load the right amount of gentle soap and softener, and you do not need to carry heavy bottles from home.

Store it the right way

• Make sure everything is completely dry before you pack it. Even a little dampness can lead to musty smells.

• Fold knits instead of hanging them, so they keep their shape.

• Use breathable storage, like cotton bags or bins with a little airflow, and keep them somewhere cool and dry.

Short on time?

If a closet swap is more than your week can hold, our wash & fold service can take the summer clothes off your hands. Drop them off and we will wash, dry and fold them for $1.45 per lb (10 lb minimum), with same-day service, ready by 7 PM.

Find us at 44 Washington St., West Orange, with free parking in our private lot. We are open Sunday to Thursday from 6am to 11pm (last wash 9:30pm), and Friday and Saturday from 6am to 1am (last wash 11:30pm). The coffee is on us.