How to wash wool? This is a question that people often ask me. So I am going to try to share my wisdom with you, to avoid the worse… Damn ! My jumper just about fits a miniature doll!
Is it necessary to wash wool?
Yeah… It seems like a silly question… Well no, it isnt…
In fact, the less we wash our woolly treasures, particularly if they are delicate, the better it is. This is because wool has self cleaning propreties. Good, isn’t it ? Less work to do!
I explain myself : if you observe wool at the microscopic level, you will see something like scales. So, those scales open and close, according to the level of humidity and changes of temperature in the air. Clever, isn’t it? It is said that wool “breathe”.
Furthermore, wool is composed of two types of fibres which rub one against the other (who would have thought that so many things were happening in your socks!), eliminating dirt by doing so.
So, if your woolly garnments smell a bit, but haven’t changed colour due to dirt, all you have to do, is to air them outside to refresh them! Easy peasy…
How to wash wool, if you really have to…
Water temperature
Well, this is SUPER IMPORTANT !!! Nerver, ever above 30° centigrade, or might not only shrink your favorite jumper, you might also felt it! Ideal if you intend to pass it on to your dearest 3 years old…
So, 30° max and even less if possible! I recommand tepid or cold water.
How to wash wool : machine or hand wash
If we are talking about something bought in the shops, it will probably have a label to guide you?
Most machines nowaday have a “wool cycle”, so theorically, you can put all your wool in the machine. BUT if we are talking about clothes or accessories made out of cashmere, should you really do it? I wouldn’t… I recommand whashing them by hand. Much more tender to avoid a disaster…
Washing liquid/powder
Use preferably a detergent special wool. For sure, it will help keep (or render) your garments all sofl as well as keeping their original colour (especially if they are dyed with artisanal plant dyes).
And NO! NO! NO! You absolutly cannot DRY THEM IN AN ELECTRIC CLOTHES DRYER!!!
Some woolen garments need to be reshaped before drying. Therefore, if you do not want to present spiky shoulders to the world, do not put your jumper on a drying line using pegs ! Ideally, lie it flat and . If you think that it can be hung folded in two on a drying line, you decide… I admit I do that if my jumper is just for every day use and I don’t care what it looks like.
If you have washed a shawl, it is imperative that you lay it flat to give it back its origninal shape.
And if you handwash, try to remove as much water. First with your hands without stretching and twisting too hard the item. Personally, I then put my wool items between 2 layers of bath towels and roll them upto remove the excess water. I even have been seen kneeing on them for extra strenght!
Et voilà! As they say in french. How to wash wool should not be a mystery anymore ! But do not hesitate to ask me questions if I have not been throuthout…