From October the UAE finally cools down. Evenings in the desert, on the beach or on a terrace call for a light jumper, and many offices keep the air conditioning so cold that a cardigan at your desk is a habit all year. This is the season to bring your layers out of the cupboard and give them a little care before you wear them.

Here is a simple routine for getting your cooler season wardrobe ready, and for putting summer clothes away so they come back in good shape next year.

Step 1: Take stock of your layers

Pull out everything you keep for the cooler months: knitwear, cardigans, light jackets, blazers, pashminas and scarves, plus the warmer pieces you take on trips abroad. Check each item in good light for:

  • Creases from months of folding or packing
  • Bobbles (pilling) on knitwear, especially under the arms and on the cuffs
  • Musty smells from closed wardrobes
  • Moth holes, loose buttons and dropped hems

Put anything that needs washing or dry cleaning to one side, then work through the rest.

Step 2: Steam out the creases

Clothes that have spent the summer folded in a drawer or a vacuum bag come out heavily creased. An upright steamer is the quickest way to deal with them. Hang the garment, let the steamer heat up, and work from the top down in slow strokes, keeping the head close to the fabric without pressing hard.

The f1200 Clothes Steamer Pro handles cardigans, blazers, wool trousers and coats, and it is gentle enough for the silk scarves and chiffon shaylas you might layer with them. Steaming also helps freshen fabrics that have picked up a stale smell in storage. Let each item hang for a few minutes afterwards so it is fully dry before it goes back in the wardrobe.

Tips for steaming knitwear

  • Hold the steamer a little further from wool and cashmere, so you relax the fibres without flattening the texture.
  • Gently reshape cuffs and hems with your hand while the knit is still warm.
  • Use a wide, padded hanger for heavy jumpers so the shoulders do not stretch, and fold them again once they are dry.

Step 3: Remove bobbles from knitwear

Knitwear pills where it rubs: under the arms, on the side where a bag sits, and on sleeves that rest on a desk. A few bobbles are enough to make a good jumper look tired. The f40 Fabric Shaver trims them off in a few minutes.

  • Lay the garment flat on a clean, firm surface.
  • Hold the fabric taut and move the shaver in light circles.
  • Empty the lint compartment often so it keeps cutting cleanly.

It works on sofa throws, cushions and blankets too, and on school uniform jumpers, which tend to bobble by the end of each term.

Step 4: Store your summer clothes properly

As your layers come out, your lightest summer pieces can be put away for a few months. A little care now saves a lot of creasing and yellowing later.

  • Wash first. Sweat and sunscreen left in fabric can mark it over time.
  • Make sure everything is completely dry. Humidity is the enemy in storage, so never pack anything slightly damp.
  • Use breathable bags or boxes. Cotton storage bags let fabric breathe. Avoid sealing natural fibres in plastic for long periods.
  • Fold loosely. Fewer, softer folds mean fewer deep creases to steam out in April.
  • Keep delicates hanging. Silk dresses and abayas you are saving for Eid or a wedding can stay on padded hangers in a garment bag.

Step 5: Look after your steamer

UAE tap water can leave limescale inside a steamer, and scale reduces the steam over time. Before the busy season starts, descale your f1200 with a quarter packet of our Clothes Steamer Descaling Crystals. Our guide to cleaning and descaling a clothes steamer takes you through it step by step.

FAQs

Can I steam wool and cashmere?

Yes. Hold the steamer slightly further away, keep it moving, and let the garment dry on a hanger before you fold it.

How do I stop knitwear bobbling?

You cannot stop it completely, but washing inside out on a gentle cycle, drying flat and avoiding rough bag straps all help. Remove any bobbles that do form with a fabric shaver.

How do I get a musty smell out of stored clothes?

Air them well, then steam them and let them hang until dry. If a smell remains, wash or dry clean them according to the care label.

When should I swap my wardrobe over in the UAE?

Most people bring out their layers in October or November and pack them away again around April, when the heat returns.

A steamer and a fabric shaver do most of the work, and your layers will look sharper all season. Browse our garment care collection, with free UAE delivery, fast local dispatch and the option to pay in instalments with Tabby.