Get Out Your Winter Clothing

Clean dirt, salt and sand off your boots and shoes with a soft, slightly damp cloth. To waterproof leather footwear yourself, use mink oil to soften the leather and then treat them with a waterproofing sealant. Or have them professionally polished and sealed; have good boots professionally resoled if needed.

Replace the shoelaces if yours are frayed or broken. You can determine the length by counting the "eyes."

Set a boot tray by each door to catch grit and melting snow.

Haul out that box of mittens, scarves and gloves. Sew up small holes and throw out anything you can't repair.

• Machine wash and dry cotton accessories.
• To hand wash wool pieces, place them in a bathtub or laundry tub filled with lukewarm water and gentle, wool-safe detergent. Gently slosh the pieces into the water and the drain the water. Refill the tub with clean water as often as needed to remove all the soap. Don’t wring dry; instead, roll them in a towel to blot and then lay them flat to dry in the sunshine.
• Wipe leather gloves with a damp soft cloth; you can use leather soap. Use a leather conditioner to keep them soft and the right shape. If your gloves are very dry, soften them with leather oil or lanolin oil.

Put together matching sets. Get each family member a basket, tub or bin for their accessories so there's no more morning scramble to find a missing glove.

Repair unstitched seams and hems, holes (check the pockets too), and loose buttons and other fasteners. If the zipper doesn't work smoothly, consider replacing it. Wash washables and have the rest dry cleaned; check the care label for instructions.

Fold sweaters neatly with the neck facing in. If you're stacking them on a closet shelf, keep piles short to avoid tipping.

Hang skirts, pants, and suits properly on skirt or pant hangers to avoid creasing the waistband or wrinkling the clothes.

Make sure the clothing under your winter clothing is ready to weather winter's worst.

Long underwear

Thermal long underwear is best for extreme temperatures and outdoor activities like sledding, skating, shoveling and skiing. Make sure they fit closely without being constricting. Softer pieces like Cuddle Duds are best for wearing under your professional clothes. They should fit close to your body.

Tights, leggings and socks

Check for holes in the toes or heels. Darn them if they're knit. If they're mostly nylon and Lycra, sew them, too, but keep them for wearing only under boots you don’t have to take off. If the elastic is shot in your tights, socks, or leggings, throw them away.

Slippers

Throw out any with holes — they won’t keep your feet warm or dry. Make sure the treads are in good condition in case you walk across puddles of melting snow near the boot trays. You don’t want to slip.