Spring is almost here—thank you for everything. With just this one item, you can even do home cleaning. A day to care for the items that have worked hard all winter.

Sweaters, coats, shoes, and bags—we've featured so many of these since last year. Your favorite items that have been working hard on the front lines, aren't they looking a little tired? This time, we've picked out one item at a time from the many care products available. We'll introduce them by concern, covering what they can care for and how to use them. Highly recommended for those who want to try home cleaning as well.

The Laundress Iron Water: Making items that can't be washed smell nice

Concern: My favorite wool coat picked up odors after going out to eat. But I don't want to take it to the cleaners right away, and I don't want to simply mask the smell with deodorizer or strong fragrance. Is there another way?

Solution: For bulky sweaters and coats—items that can't be washed frequently—when outside odors cling to them, remove the smell with iron steam.

Steam is amazing.

Even The Laundress, a fabric care brand for home cleaning, speaks passionately about the wonders of steam finishing. It's a safe method that's gentle on clothes, smoothing out wrinkles for a natural finish. Unlike ironing, there's little risk of scorching or creating odd creases, and the steam kills most germs and bacteria, removing odors as well. Since it reduces how often you need dry cleaning, it saves not just time but money too.

Compared to ironing, steam finishing smooths out wrinkles more naturally. It's perfect for wool, silk, and other delicate items, and is also suitable for cotton, linen, and synthetic fibers.

In winter, when you want to cut down on how often you wash, a steamer is an essential finishing tool. If you want a refreshing finish, we recommend adding just a capful of The Laundress Iron Water to the water in your steam tank. Not only does it have antibacterial properties, but it also leaves behind a subtle, refreshing classic scent that both men and women love. We'd especially recommend it to those who simply can't stand the smell of typical antibacterial deodorizing sprays.

>> Find the Iron Water here

KENT Cashmere & Wool Care Clothes Brush: Grooming the nap of sweaters, coats, and bags alike

Concern: I found a sweater at a shop that I really loved, but it looked like it would pill quickly, so I reluctantly gave up on it. My sweaters always end up worn out after just one winter, and I can't bring myself to buy a wintery wool bag either. I want something good that will last a long time, but I worry that once it pills, it will become unusable. Are there any tips for enjoying an item for years to come?

Left: comb (staff's personal item), Right: KENT Cashmere & Wool Care Clothes Brush

Solution: Brushing is essential for wool products that are prone to pilling. A versatile brush that works for both cashmere and wool offers excellent flexibility. It's also good to have a comb (any kind will do) to brush out the loosened fibers along with it.

How to Remove Pills, Steps 1-2-3

[Prevention]

First and foremost, it's important not to let pilling get worse. To prevent pilling, [frequent brushing after wearing] is essential. For a coat that's starting to look a little tired, keep a sturdy, flexible natural-material brush on hand. The advantage of natural materials is that they don't generate static electricity easily. Once pilling occurs, you'll have to move on to the task of "removing clumps of fiber," which inevitably thins out the fabric. Prevention comes first.

Pilling tends to occur in areas prone to friction. Fiber tips fray and tangle together into clumps, forming pills, so brush carefully in those spots. Pilling is, to some degree, unavoidable as you enjoy wearing an item over time. Brushing after every wear is ideal, but even brushing once every few wears makes a real difference in how much the fabric wears down.

Use the comb to pull the fibers caught in the brush back out. If left as is, they can transfer onto other clothes, so be sure to clear them out regularly.

[When fuzzy pills have already formed]

Once pills have formed, take action while they're still small so they don't get any bigger. We recommend the Sweater Pill-Off Stone. There's no need for the time-consuming work of pulling them off by hand or snipping them with scissors, and you don't have to worry about an electric pill remover poking holes in the fabric. The pumice stone gradually wears down bit by bit, like an eraser. It seems to last quite a long time—just give it a few quick swipes over any pilling or fuzz you notice while getting dressed in the morning. A key point is that it can even be used on ribbed knits, which is why it's steadily gaining popularity. To use it, move the stone in one direction, following the direction of the nap. Finishing off with a brush makes the result even better.

>> Find the KENT Cashmere & Wool Care Clothes Brush here

>> Find the Sweater Pill-Off Stone here

Fabric Waterproofing Wax (Lotion Type): Wash and protect canvas bags and sneakers too

ConcernCanvas sneakers and tote bags—I always thought I could just wash them if something happened, but I ended up with a terrible water stain and now I regret it. I already have waterproof spray, but is there something even more powerful I could use to protect them?

High-Cut Sneakers White／COLCHESTER RUBBER CO.

Our recommendation is TAPIR's waterproof wax for fabric (emulsion type). Spray types are convenient since you can just give them a quick shake and spray, without taking much time—but don't you sometimes worry whether you've actually covered the whole surface evenly? TAPIR's fabric waterproof wax, made only from natural materials, comes in an emulsion form that you work into the fabric, so it can even be applied to stitched seams. By soaking it in repeatedly, you can build up a strong waterproofing effect.

For favorite items you use in every season—like a beloved canvas bag or canvas sneakers—the emulsion type is exactly the kind of waterproofing we'd recommend.

＞＞Find the waterproof wax for fabric (emulsion type) here

Lederoil: Careful leather care, just like caring for your own skin

The problem: I admire people who take proper care of their leather items. I recently treated myself to a leather bag, and I'd like to know how to care for it day to day.

The solution: The golden rule of leather care is to treat it just like you would your own skin!

Think about your usual skincare routine: first you cleanse and wash your face to remove surface dirt, then you let lotion soak in. Leather works the same way—you remove dirt and replenish oils using Lederoil. It gently lifts away grime while replenishing the leather's natural oils, keeping it supple. Next comes the equivalent of a beauty serum or cream to bring out the shine—we recommend Lederbalsam or Lederfett. These contain not only deep-penetrating wax but also wax that produces a beautiful sheen, so a single product can provide all the care you need.

For daytime protection, a waterproof spray is also useful.

For winter mold prevention and keeping shoes in shape: Adjustable Shoe Tree

The problem: I plan to keep wearing my leather shoes through early spring. They've molded nicely to the shape of my feet, which is great, but I worry about them losing their shape while in storage. It's also quite humid, so I'm concerned about mold. Is there a good way to deal with this?

Adjustable Shoe Tree for Women

The solution: Try using a shoe tree for your favorite shoes.

Woodlore's Adjustable Shoe Tree is designed to fit a wide variety of shoes. The split toe section can be tilted up, down, left, or right, and once inserted, applying firm pressure lets the metal fitting extend and contract to fit the shoe perfectly. This shoe tree is made from American red cedar, which naturally deodorizes, repels insects, and absorbs moisture. It draws moisture out of the shoe and helps maintain its shape—and since regular use is said to extend a shoe's lifespan by as much as 30% compared to not using one at all, there's really no reason not to use it for the shoes you treasure most.