Washing and drying wool: the basics of wool care

Cosy woolly jumpers and other clothes made out of wool are the perfect companions for winter. You need to look after your clothes made out of wool to ensure that you can get the most out of them. In the following guide we have put together the most important tips on how to wash and dry wool. You will also find some essential tips and tricks for common problems such as bobbling and shrinkage.

Cosy woollen jumpers Stylish woollen coats

Washing wool: the most important care tips for wool

Wool is a natural fibre that comes from animals such as sheep, goats and alpacas. Similar to human hair, wool fibres therefore have a fine scale structure that can become rough if cared for incorrectly. This can then cause wool to bobble or shrink if it is exposed to high temperatures or other rough materials whilst being washed or dried. Therefore, it is recommended to wash wool at a low temperature to ensure that there is no shrinkage or damage to the fibres.

Tips on how to wash wool: handwash

The best decision is to always handwash anything made out of wool if you don't want to take any risks or your washing machine doesn't have a suitable wash program. When handwashing wool, keep the following tips below in mind:

• Fill a sink or bowl with lukewarm water.

• Use a mild laundry detergent such as a special wool or delicates laundry detergent and follow the recommended dosage.

• Put the item of clothing in the water and then gently squeeze it to clean it. Avoid rubbing or wringing woollen clothes vigorously.

• Leave your woollen clothes to soak in the water for a few minutes and then rinse them until the water becomes clear and no soap residue is visible.

How to wash wool: temperature

Wool should always be washed at a low temperature. A cold wash at 20°C or a maximum of 30 °Cis advised, as higher temperatures can cause the wool fibres to lose their shape or become twisted.

How to wash wool: the best laundry detergents for wool

When it comes to washing wool, not only is choosing the correct wash program important, but also using the correct laundry detergent. It is recommended to use a mild laundry detergent that is suitable for wool. Laundry detergents for wool or delicates are pH-neutral and they do not contain any bleach or other harsh chemicals. This is why they are perfect for washing wool so that you can protect the delicate structure of the fibres.

If you don't have a suitable laundry detergent for wool, you can also use baby shampoo or a mild hair shampoo that is recommended for dry or a sensitive scalp.

Drying wool: how to prevent shrinkage

After washing wool, it is important to make sure that you dry it properly. High temperatures in a tumble dryer can damage the delicate fibres. Even a delicates program on a tumble dryer can damage the fibres, therefore, follow our useful tips below on how to dry wool:

• After washing wool it is usually very wet as it is recommended to not put wool on a spin cycle. It is best to carefully squeeze out the excess moisture, but do not wring it out.

• Lay your washed woollen clothes on clean towels and gently roll them up to soak up most of the moisture.

• You can leave the clothes to dry either by spreading them out on towels or laying them flat on a clothes horse. Make sure that the room is well aired.

• It is important to always leave woollen clothes to dry lying down. Clothes made out of wool are a lot heavier when they are wet, therefore, if you hang them up they can become misshapen.

1. Fill your sink or a large bowl with lukewarm water. Now add some baby shampoo or a mild conditioner. We recommend using about one teaspoon per litre of water.

2. Leave your woollen jumper soaking for about half an hour and occasionally gently squeeze it so that the shampoo or conditioner can soak into the fibres. This will help to relax the fibres and make them more elastic again.

3. After leaving it to soak, take your woollen jumper out of the water and gently squeeze out any excess water with a towel.

4. Lay the jumper on a clean towel. Next, gently stretch the jumper slightly to bring it back into the desired shape. Gently pull the sleeves, the hem and the other parts to gradually stretch the item of clothing. Do not apply too much pressure as this can cause the fibres to tear.

5. Finally, leave your woollen jumper to dry lying down.

In most cases you will be able to get your woollen jumper back into its original shape. However, it is important to remember that this method does not always give perfect results and is not suitable for woollen clothes that have severely shrunk.

How to stop clothes bobbling

New clothes made out of wool can bobble and these loose wool fibres can form small knots when they rub against each other. Therefore, it is a good idea to brush your new woollen clothes with a lint roller before wearing them for the first time as this will help to remove some of the loose fibres and prevent further bobbling. You can also carefully remove knots that have already formed with a lint shaver or a pilling comb.

The different types of wool

Below we have listed the different types of wool and their special properties:

• Virgin wool refers to classic sheep's wool. It is robust and hard-wearing, making it particularly suitable for jumpers, coats and suits. Like all types of wool, it is very breathable, can absorb moisture well and will keep you warm. Lamb's wool comes from lambs that are usually less than a year old and have never been shorn before. Lamb's wool is particularly soft, finer and more elastic than virgin wool.

• The wool from merino sheep is considered particularly soft and warm. Merino wool has excellent thermal insulation, it is breathable and can wick away moisture to ensure a dry and comfortable feeling. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for sportswear, underwear or socks.

How to wash merino wool

• The wool from a cashmere goat is one of the finest and most luxurious types of wool. Cashmere has a silky sheen and is luxuriously soft. The fibres in cashmere are more robust, softer and more insulating than virgin wool and at the same time they are very light, which makes cashmere very comfortable to wear.

How to wash cashmere

• Angora wool is a high-quality fluffy type of wool that comes from angora rabbits. Angora wool is excellent at storing heat thanks to its airy fibre structure. Angora wool requires gentle care, otherwise it bobbles very easily. New items of clothing made out of angora wool can quite often bobble.

• Alpaca wool comes from alpacas, which are a South American camel species that can only be shorn once or twice a year. Alpaca wool is lighter than virgin wool and at the same time offers excellent thermal insulation.

• Mohair comes from angora goats and is known for its smooth, silky texture. Mohair wool is light, insulating and can absorb moisture well.

Conclusion: how to wash and dry wool

Wool is a durable material and with the right care you can get the most out of your favourite woollen clothes. Make sure to avoid washing wool at high temperatures. Instead, it is best to wash your woollen clothes by hand or on a gentle cycle using a mild detergent, and avoid spinning or wringing them out. This way, you’ll not only retain that cosy feel, but also preserve the special properties of the woollen fibres, which keep you comfortably warm and dry in everyday life and even when exercising.

______________________________________________

The image sources in this text are in chronological order

Cover photo: iStock.com/brizmaker
1. Image in text: iStock.com/CentralITAlliance
2. Image in text: iStock.com/Aliaksandr Litviniuk
3. Image in text: iStock.com/Evrymmnt
4. Image in text: iStock.com/Olga_Anourina