Clothing care: Wool

03 Mins
Wool

Winter is fast approaching which means it’s almost time to dig out that faithful vintage wool jumper that’s been hanging in your closet for years, the beautiful wool scarf that was careful sourced from a pre-loved treasure of a boutique on your recent travels, and wrap up warm in your beautiful investment secondhand wool coat that you’ve been waiting to show off at your next girls gathering.

But if you are like me, there is a constant worry when you source secondhand wool items, and that is, can you keep them looking cozy, soft, and luxurious as you find them? I cannot stand the bubbling that happens, or a pull in that woolen stitch. Suddenly wool perfection turns into a fabric nightmare. Fear not! Caring for wool is actually much easier than you might think.

Wool clothing
Wool clothing

The wool scene is growing but the need for responsible wear and care remains unchanged. Smart, casual, athletic, loungewear or outerwear, we want you to love and care for your wool for years to come, so here are a few tips and tricks for caring for all your wool garments:

1. Wash

Wool as a fibre keeps itself clean naturally, expelling odours through moisture control, and is naturally stain and wrinkle resistant. This means you shouldn’t have to wash your woollies as often and you can simply air them out by laying flat on a bed or towel for an hour to dispel any lingering odours. If you do need to wash, keep the following in mind:

Hand wash – It’s easier than you think – put your sweater in a bowl with cold water and one drop of wool washing up liquid. Then rinse properly a couple of times and after rinsing with your hands, lay the sweater in a towel, fold it and leave it to dry like this before airing it again (see DRY). Or just hang it once it’s not too wet (otherwise it will loose shape).

Choose a gentle cycle – If you have a modern washing machine, you can use a handwash or wool cycle.

Wash in lower temperatures – To avoid shrinking, only wash wool in cold temperatures.

Use a dedicated detergent – Use a detergent designed for woollens.

Avoid traditional dry cleaning – It’s a myth that wool needs to be dry-cleaned. Traditional dry cleaning is a highly chemical intensive process that can have negative impact on the environment, textile fibres and your skin. If dry-cleaning is required, look for an eco-friendly service.

2. Dry

Air dry – Tumble driers are not the best for wool products as they tend to shrink them, so it is best to air dry.

Dry flat – Place the garment flat on a clean towel, re-shape it by laying it out in its normal shape and leave to air dry. If you washed the item by hand, roll it up in the towel and squeeze out excess water first.

3. Store

When the weather gets warmer and you want to pack away your winter woollens, bear the following in mind:

Protect from moths – Unfortunately, moths love wool and can cause holes if you don’t properly store your woolies when not in use. Keep your wool garments in cotton bags or use cedar wood balls to help keep moths at bay. If you do find moths have taken up residence in an item, pop it in the freezer for 24 hours, take it out and bring to room temperature, and then repeat again.

Hang on padded hangers or fold – Knitted wool garments should be gently folded away in drawers. Woven garments can be hung in your wardrobe, but only on padded coat hangers. Thin, hard hangers can cause stretching or mis-shaping – be sure to be gentle with your wool.

4. Discard

Wool can last for years, so before disposing of your old jumpers try swapping with a friend or donating to a local charity shop. Many high-end manufacturers will carry out invisible repairs so don’t despair if you find a hole – check with the manufacturer to see if they offer wool surgery.

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