We all love the warmth and coziness that our wool clothing radiates when we wear it. But what we don't like is when it comes time to clean them. We often ask ourselves, “What if I accidentally damage it?” Washing wool can be difficult because it is more delicate than most fabrics. It's best to wash them by hand, but this can be very time consuming for larger pieces. You can also wash different types of wool in the washing machine. With proper care, you can keep your wool clothing looking great for years to come. Read on to learn how to wash wool - here you'll find care tips for merino, alpaca and classic sheep's wool (alsoSchurwollecalled).
Wash woolen items properly
As long as you use the correct setting and washing temperature for wool, your wool items will come out clean and in good condition. However, if you use harsh detergents or the wrong setting, the fabric may be damaged or your wool clothing may shrink.
What is the correct washing temperature for wool?
As a general rule, 30℃ is the highest temperature you should use to wash wool clothing.
Wash wool with home remedies – vinegar
Washing wool with vinegar is recommended if your wool clothing has a strong odor. Vinegar helps remove odors from woolen clothing and makes woolen items less itchy. The washingwith vinegaris done separately after you have washed your clothes with a detergent and rinsed well.
Pour water into a washing bowl, add 250 ml of vinegar and submerge your woolen items in the water. Swirl it slowly back and forth to allow the water to penetrate the fibers and rinse well.
How to properly wash and care for clothing made from merino and sheep's wool - washing machine
You can wash wool garments in the wool washing program. If your washing machine does not have a wool cycle, use the gentle cycle. It is recommended to use a mild, gentle wool detergent and wash at low temperature on a quick cycle to avoid shrinkage. Below are the steps you need to follow when machine washing woolen items:
- Turn your garment inside out.
- Set the correct water temperature.
- Choose the wool cycle or the gentle cycle so that the laundry is not agitated too much.
- Add the right amount of mild detergent to the laundry and start the washing machine.
- You can place the garment in a laundry bag to protect it from excessive movement.
Here aresome tipsthat will help you keep your wool clothing in top shape:
- Always check the care label before washing.
- Wash wool clothing, such as wool sweaters, less frequently.
- After washing your wool clothes, dry them flat.
- It is perfectly fine to wash woolen items in cold water as this will reduce the risk of shrinkage. If you want to use the washing machine and it does not have a wool washing cycle, wash your wool items in cold water.
Note the following:Avoid commercial fabric softeners that are designed for textiles made from chemical fibers and coat your wool with chemicals and perfume, reducing its natural breathability. In the short term, classic virgin and merino wool may feel softer, but their lifespan will be significantly shortened and they may even be destroyed completely.
Hand wash woolen items made from virgin and merino wool
Here are the instructions for washing wool:
- Add wool detergent to a wash bowl with water.
- Turn the garment inside out and submerge it in the water. Swirl it for a few seconds to get it completely wet. Let it soak in the water for 10 minutes.
- Rinse the garment twice to remove any detergent residue.
Note the following:Do not wring out wool clothing. Instead, lay them flat on a mesh screen or fresh towel to dry. Larger woolen items such as blankets can be hung to air dry, preferably in a place that is not exposed to too much direct sunlight.
After your woolen items have dried, fold them and place them in a drawer. Do not hang them on hangers as this could cause them to stretch. You may also be wondering if you can iron wool clothes. If you need to use an iron, spinthe clothinginside out and use an ironing cloth.
Alpaca wool can be washed in cold or lukewarm waterwith a mild detergentor shampoo can be hand washed. Place the garment under running water at the correct temperature and then rinse by gently squeezing.
When hand washing, be careful not to wring the garment. Instead, rinse by pressing and then wrap the garment in a dry towel to absorb the excess water. If necessary, you can also lay the garment flat on a towel to dry naturally. Do not tumble dry your alpaca clothing! Additionally, you should never hang alpaca clothing to dry as this can cause it to stretch. If possible, it may be helpful to dry the garment in the fresh air, but ideally not in direct sunlight.
