How to Wash Wool

Wool is a common fabric material known for its coziness, warmth, and natural durability. However, even though it is a resilient fabric type, improper washing care can lead to shrinkage, fiber breakage, and even discoloration. These consequences of improper washing techniques can be incredibly frustrating. However, knowing how to wash wool correctly can ensure the preservation of its texture and quality.

In today’s CD One Price Cleaners guide, we walk through best practices for washing wool. With these tips focusing on protecting the fabric’s natural beauty and extending its lifespan, you can rest assured you are properly caring for your wool items.

Understanding the Care Label

Before you even begin washing wool, the first step to proper upkeep is reading the care label carefully. These labels pinned to wool garments share details essential to preserving the quality of your clothing. Think of the care label as your wool item’s personal instruction manual, providing vital details about the type of wool fabric and the recommended washing method.

Care labels sometimes involve symbols that indicate whether they can be machine washed, dry cleaned, or require handwashing.  For example, you may see the hand wash-only symbol which is typically represented by a tub filled with water and a hand submerged in it. This symbol indicates that the garment should be washed by hand, not in a washing machine. It is important to familiarize yourself with these standardized symbols to fully understand the care label and ensure you interpret it correctly.

How Different Types of Wool Play a Role in Care

When it comes to taking care of wool, the type you have matters. Here’s a friendly overview of four common types of wool and some handy tips for each to keep them looking their best:

·        Merino Wool (Sheep Wool): Merino Wool is one of the most commonly used. It is known for its softness and moisture-wicking properties and requires gentle washing in cold water. When drying, it should be laid flat to maintain its shape.

·        Yak Wool: Soft and warm, yak wool is derived from the undercoat of yaks; it should be hand-washed in cool water to prevent shrinking and dried flat to preserve its structure.

·        Cashmere Wool: Cashmere is incredibly luxurious and delicate. It requires careful hand washing in cold water and should be dried flat to avoid loss of shape and texture.

·        Alpaca Wool: This type of wool is lightweight and hypoallergenic, making it ideal for those allergic to Merino wool. Alpaca wool should be washed via gentle hand washing. Only use lukewarm water and always dry flat to protect fibers.

Regardless of the type of wool, care requirements are generally the same. Most wool items need gentle handling, low washing temperatures, and careful drying. If you’re unsure about the type of wool in your garment, don’t worry—read on for the best wash cycles, temperature settings, detergent choices, and drying methods for all wool items, regardless of type.

Choosing Wash Cycles, Temperatures, and Detergents

Wash Cycles for Wool

When washing your wool garment in a washing machine, it’s recommended to select a delicate or gentle cycle. These cycles minimize agitation, which helps prevent the wool fibers from breaking or shrinking. By opting for a gentler wash, you reduce stress on the garment and protect it from potential damage. If your machine has a setting specifically for wool items, that’s even better, as these settings are tailored to meet the unique care needs of wool clothing.

What Temperature to Wash Wool On

In addition to the speed and gentleness of the cycle, you also need to consider the temperature. Wool fibers are naturally sensitive to heat, so it’s important to use the right temperature to avoid causing irreversible damage. For most wool items, cold or cool water is the safest choice, as it helps to prevent shrinking and maintain the integrity of the wool fibers. Lukewarm or tepid water may be appropriate for wool garments like sweaters or blankets, but avoid hot water at all costs, as it can cause wool fibers to split and lose their softness.

Washing Detergents Best for Wool Clothing

Not all detergents are created equal when it comes to washing wool. Using regular laundry detergent can strip wool fibers of their natural oils and lead to roughness. Instead of your standard detergent, consider opting for a mild detergent such as one labeled “gentle”. You can also use cashmere shampoo which is ultra gentle. However, cashmere shampoo is a bit more expensive than typical detergent.

When it comes to fabric softeners, it is better to avoid them when it comes to wool garments. Wool is naturally incredibly plush, and fabric softeners can leave a harmful residue that can damage the fibers and lessen their softness. That said, enjoy the natural softness of your wool clothing and skip fabric softeners when washing.

Choosing the Best Drying Method

You’ve got the right cycle setting, correct temperature, and put in a gentle detergent. The washing process is over and now it is time to move on to the drying phase. Note that the drying stage is just as important as the washing stage. Without the correct drying technique, wool fibers can lose shape, stretch out, or become damaged and frayed. To protect your wool garments, use these proper drying tips:

1. Avoid Drying Wool Under the Direct Sun: Drying wool items in direct sunlight can cause colors to fade and fibers to weaken over time. While the warm sun may feel like a convenient way to quickly dry laundry, always choose a shaded area or an indoor drying space at room temperature to dry your wool items.
2. Use a Drying Rack and/or a Towel: The safest method for drying wool garments is to lay them flat on a drying rack. If you’re concerned about excess water, place a dry towel underneath the wool item to help absorb moisture.
3. Try Not to Use Spin Cycle Settings: Although it may be tempting to use a spin cycle to remove excess water, this can be risky for wool garments. The spin cycle can cause wool items to lose their shape, stretch, or become misshapen. These cycles also cause a lot of friction between fabrics, which can increase pilling. For these reasons, it is better to avoid spin cycles altogether.

Handling Pilling and Prolonging Wool’s Lifespan

Pilling occurs when fibers rub against each other, creating a small fuzz ball that clings to the fabric. Wool tends to pill more than other fabrics, especially when not cared for properly. For starters, to reduce pilling, avoid excessive friction during wear, washing, and drying.

When washing, use a mesh bag to protect the wool fibers from rubbing against other fabrics. These bags are designed to eliminate friction and agitation, which as we stated above, can result in damage. You should also consider turning wool garments inside out before washing to minimize wear on the outer surface.

By taking these precautions, you can lower the possibility of damaged fibers and piling. However, if pilling does occur, use a fabric shaver or pill remover to gently remove the fuzz from the surface of your wool items. These tools make restoring your favorite wool garments to their pre-pilling state easy.

For valuable wool items, such as wool sweaters or wool blankets, consider seeking professional dry-cleaning services. Dry cleaners are equipped to handle delicate wool garments and can help ensure that your wool items stay in excellent condition. Professional dry-cleaning services are known to extend the life of clothing items, making them an ideal care solution for your favorite garments.

To learn more about fabric pilling and how to handle it, check out this detailed guide on fabric pilling.

Caring for Wool with Ease

Proper care is essential for maintaining the overall quality, durability, and softness of your wool garments. Take the pressure off yourself and hand the responsibility of caring for them with the help of CD One Price Cleaners. Our team of professionals specializes in cleaning and preserving delicate fabrics such as wool. We will always send you home with your favorite pieces looking and feeling their best.

And no. You don’t have to pay more for delicate items. Our one-price policy allows you to enjoy professional care for your wool fabrics without the worry of getting hit with “extra specialty charges”. Our services include gentle handling, precise temperature control, and specialized cleaning agents that prevent shrinkage, fading, and fabric damage.

Your clothing deserves the best care possible! Trust CD One Price Cleaners to keep your wool garments impeccably clean, fresh, and ready to wear. With our extraordinary service and affordable pricing, we provide premier dry cleaning that you can rely on.

Conveniently located across Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Missouri, CD One Price Cleaners is here to meet your needs. Find a location near you and let us handle the rest!