Caring for Wool

Wool is a delicate natural fiber that offers wonderful warmth and moisture-wicking capabilities. Keep the fibers as fresh as new with these wool care tips.

How to Care for Wool Between Washes

To help wool clothing last longer, only wash them when necessary. The self-regulating fibers don’t need to be laundered as often as other materials. Between washes, keep your wool items looking like new with these tips:

• Spot-clean small stains by dry-brushing.
• Remove pilled fabric, lint, and pet hair with a fuzz remover and fabric shaver product, such as our wool comb.
• Air out wool sweaters after each wear.
• Never hang wool on clothes hangers. Instead, fold them and store them in a cedar dresser drawer or with cedar wood near them.
• Wash your wool sweaters one final time at the end of the season before putting them into storage.

How to Hand Wash Wool

When it comes time to wash your wool sweaters, follow the care instructions for the best results.

• Squirt a bit of delicate wool detergent into a sink or basin and fill with tepid water.
• Turn the garment inside-out, submerge it, and swish it around to allow the soap to penetrate the fibers. Do not rub the fabric together or let it soak for longer than 10 minutes.
• Rinse the garment twice to remove all soapy residue.
• Don’t wring out wool clothing. Instead, press or squeeze out as much water as you can. Then, roll garment in a dry towel to remove excess moisture.
• To avoid stretching, don’t hang-dry. Instead, lay wool items flat to dry on a fresh towel or mesh rack in a spot that doesn’t receive direct sunlight. Carefully adjust the shape of the garment to ensure it is evenly stretched as it dries.

How to Clean Wool in the Washing Machine

Some wool items are machine washable, which is the most convenient option. To keep your wool clothes in good shape, launder them with care. Here’s how:

• Turn wool clothes inside-out.
• Wash on the delicate cycle (or wool cycle or hand wash cycle, if your washer features these settings).
• Use cold water and a mild liquid detergent for wool or a shampoo.
• Add an extra rinse to the wash cycle.
• To avoid shrinking, don’t put wool clothing in a dryer. Instead, lay flat to dry using the tips from the hand wash section above.