How to Care for Wool Clothing

Wool is delicate and should not be washed too frequently. Over-washing can damage its fibres and cause your clothing to shrink.

• Hand wash in cold water: Always use cold water when washing wool to prevent shrinking. Gently hand wash the garment, avoiding any harsh rubbing or wringing, which can distort the fabric.

• Mild detergent: Use a gentle detergent designed for wool. In a pinch, you can even use your regular hair shampoo as a substitute. It’s gentle enough to protect the fibres.

• Rinse with vinegar: To help remove detergent residue and maintain wool's natural softness, add a few drops of white vinegar to the final rinse water. This also helps preserve the garment's colour.

Wool should be air-dried. It’s important to avoid heat sources like tumble dryers that can cause shrinkage and damage the fibres.

• Avoid wringing: Never wring out wool to remove excess water. Instead, gently press the water out of the garment.

• Towel roll method: After washing, roll the wool garment in a dry towel or spread it between two towels and roll it using a wooden rolling pin to absorb excess water.

• Flat drying: Lay your wool garment flat to dry. Avoid hanging it, as this can cause the fabric to stretch out of shape.

• Air drying: Allow the wool to air dry, away from direct sunlight or artificial heat sources such as radiators. This ensures the fabric maintains its shape and softness.

If your wool garment develops wrinkles, here’s how to safely smooth them out:

• Iron inside out: Always iron wool garments inside out to avoid direct heat on the fabric. Use a low-heat setting with minimal steam. You can also hang your wool garment in a steamy bathroom to naturally remove wrinkles. The steam helps smooth out creases without damaging the fibres.

• Don’t wash too often: Wool garments do not need to be washed after every wear. Often, airing the garment for 24 hours is sufficient to refresh it. This will not only preserve the fibres but also save you time and energy.

• Remove stains manually: For small stains, spot clean with a damp cloth or mild detergent. This avoids the need for a full wash cycle, reducing wear on your garments.

• Minimise washing temperatures: Always opt for the lowest wash temperature suitable for the item. Washing in colder water helps protect wool from shrinking and reduces energy consumption.