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Wool is a wonderful natural fiber known for its warmth, durability, and luxurious feel. Fortunately, wool is also easy to care for! Thanks to its self-cleaning properties, wool garments don’t need frequent washing, making them a sustainable choice for your wardrobe. With just a few simple care techniques, you can keep your wool garments in perfect condition for years to come.
In this guide, we’ll provide practical wool care tips that work for any type of wool fabric, ensuring your items stay fresh, soft, and beautiful.
Why Wool Needs Less Washing
Wool has a natural ability to repel dirt and absorb moisture, which helps keep it fresh with minimal effort. Most of the time, all you need to do to refresh wool is air it out. Simply hang your wool garment outside for an hour or lay it flat indoors in a well-ventilated area. This process helps remove odors and moisture, leaving your garment looking and smelling fresh.
Frequent washing isn’t necessary, but when it’s time for a more thorough clean, wool requires special attention.
Step-by-Step Wool Care Instructions
Follow these simple steps to properly wash and care for your wool items:
1. Hand Washing Is Best
Washing wool by hand is the safest way to ensure its longevity. Here’s how:
- Fill a basin or sink with cool water: Wool is sensitive to temperature, so avoid using hot water, which can cause shrinking. Add a small amount of wool-specific shampoo or mild detergent.
- Submerge the wool garment: Gently swirl the water around the garment to distribute the soap, but avoid scrubbing or rubbing the fabric itself.
- Soak for 20-30 minutes: Let the wool rest in the water.
- Rinse thoroughly: Run cool water over the item until the soap is gone. Tip: If the water becomes colored during rinsing, don’t worry—this is normal, especially with dyed wool. The garment won’t lose noticeable color.
2. Drying Wool Properly
Never dry wool in a machine. After washing, follow these steps for drying:
- Press out excess water: Don’t wring or twist the wool; this can cause it to stretch. Instead, gently press the water out.
- Lay flat to dry: Place the wool item on a clean towel, roll it up to remove more water, then lay the garment flat on a drying rack or another dry towel. Keep it away from direct sunlight and heat sources, which can damage or shrink the fabric.
3. Store Wool Garments Safely
Proper storage is key to keeping wool in great shape:
- Fold instead of hanging: Wool can lose its shape if hung for long periods, so fold garments and store them in a dry, cool space.
- Use natural moth repellents: To protect your wool from insects, add natural herbs to your storage space. Here are some effective moth-repelling herbs to try:
- Lavender: A classic, pleasant-smelling herb that repels moths.Cedarwood: Not a herb but widely used, cedar shavings or blocks are very effective against moths.Rosemary: A strong scent that keeps moths away.Thyme: Another herb with a scent moths dislike.Cloves: Spicy and fragrant, cloves are great for deterring moths.Peppermint: A fresh-smelling herb that also works well in keeping moths away.
- Protect from sunlight and moisture. Wool should be kept away from direct sunlight to prevent fading. Store wool items in breathable containers like fabric garment bags or a dresser drawer to avoid trapping moisture, which can lead to mildew.
Wool Care Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Air out wool regularly: It’s a quick way to refresh the garment without washing.
- Use cool water and mild detergent: Always hand wash wool in cool water to avoid shrinking.
- Dry flat: To maintain the garment’s shape, let it air-dry naturally.
Don’t:
- Never use bleach or harsh detergents: These can damage wool fibers.
- Avoid machine drying: Heat can cause wool to shrink, felt, or lose its shape.
- Don’t hang wool for long-term storage: It’s best to fold wool garments to preserve their shape.
Quick Care Tips for Different Wool Types
- Merino Wool: Merino is soft and breathable. Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent, and dry flat away from sunlight. Avoid wringing to preserve its delicate fibers.
- Mohair: Mohair is durable and lightweight but requires gentle care. Hand wash in lukewarm water with a wool-friendly detergent. Avoid excessive agitation, and dry flat to retain shape and softness.
- Baby Alpaca: Softer and more luxurious than regular alpaca, baby alpaca is also hypoallergenic. Hand wash in cold water, avoiding agitation. Like other delicate wools, lay flat to dry.
- 100% Cotton: Cotton is sturdier than wool but still requires care. You can machine wash in cool or warm water on a gentle cycle, and avoid high heat. For best results, air-dry cotton garments to prevent shrinkage and preserve softness.
- Alpaca Wool: Alpaca is stronger and lighter than regular wool. Hand wash in cold water using mild detergent, avoid scrubbing or twisting. Lay flat to dry and keep away from direct sunlight.
- Silk: Silk is extremely delicate. Always hand wash in cold water with a gentle, pH-neutral detergent. Don’t wring out silk, instead, press gently to remove excess water, and dry flat or hang in a shaded area. Keep silk away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.
- Cashmere: Luxuriously soft, cashmere requires gentle care. Hand wash in cold water with wool shampoo. Press out excess water gently and dry flat. Never hang or tumble dry cashmere.
Resume
Caring for wool garments is simple and sustainable. With proper care, wool’s natural self-cleaning properties mean you’ll rarely need to wash it. When you do, hand wash in cool water and store it properly to ensure your wool clothing stays as soft and beautiful as the day you bought it. Incorporate these wool care tips into your routine, and your favorite wool pieces will last for years to come.
