Wool

You can wash wool sweaters, jackets, blankets, winter accessories, and more from home, but if your wool item is structured or has a lining as a blazer, coat, or suit typically would, spot treat stains and odors instead of giving it a full wash.

• To spot treat stains and odors on your woolen, wet our Wash & Stain Bar (our wool spot cleaner of choice) with cool water and gently work into affected areas.
• Remove excess soap with a wet Lint Free Cloth. Continue dampening the cloth with cool water as needed, and repeat process until satisfied.
• Skip to the Dry & Finish step in your wool washing process, and finish with steaming. Felt shouldn’t be placed in the dryer.

• Whether hand or machine washing wool, always pretreat stains with Stain Solution (for color-rich stains) or the Wash & Stain Bar (for oil-based and makeup stains).

Stain Solution is ideal for protein and tannin stains, such as wine, coffee, ink, grass, urine, blood, and old, set-in stains such as pit stains.

Use the Wash & Stain Bar for cleaning alpaca wool. It works the yarn to remove dirt, grease, oil, and makeup.

• To remove odors from wool, presoak the item for 30 minutes in cool water mixed with ¼ cup of Scented Vinegar.

• Hand washing wool is the most suitable method for washing wool and cashmere at home; dry cleaning solvents and enzyme-rich detergents will degrade the yarns in cashmere and wool items.
• To wash wool, add 2 capfuls or a squirt of Wool & Cashmere Shampoo to a washbasin or sink filled with cool water. Wool is sensitive to water temperature and agitation and will shrink if not washed with cool water and a gentle touch.
• Submerge the item and gently agitate the water with your hands to evenly distribute soap. Soak for up to 30 minutes.
• Rinse well by running cool water through the item until rinse water is no longer soapy.
• Do not wring. Instead, press the water out of the item. If there is color in the water, don’t worry—this is normal. The yarn is simply releasing excess dye, and you will not notice any loss of color from your garment after the wash is complete.

Turn the item inside out, and place it in a Mesh Washing Bag.

Felt needs to be washed on a delicate cycle. Select the woolens or delicate cycle on the washing machine, and make sure the water temperature is cold and the spin is on low.

Add the appropriate amount of Wool & Cashmere Shampoo according to the machine and load size.

Remove promptly from the washing machine to reduce creasing.

• Lay the item flat in its natural shape on a drying rack or clean towel. Do not put it in the dryer!
• Expedite drying wool by laying the item flat on a clean towel. With the item in its original shape, roll it up in the towel (like a sleeping bag) to remove excess water. Never hang wet woolens.
• When drying wool, avoid direct sunlight and heat sources, such as the radiator, because they can yellow, shrink, or damage woolens.
• To remove wrinkles from wool, we recommend steaming for the best and safest finish. Do not iron, as ironing will crush or flatten the natural pile of the yarns.
• To freshen wool between wearings and to remove odors, spritz with Wool & Cashmere Spray.

When wool fibers become loose, they form little balls or pills. Pilling is a direct result of friction (which naturally occurs with movement), so the more you wear an item, the more likely it is to pill.

• Angora generally doesn’t pill; if it does, remove pills on finer-gauge knits, such as lightweight sweaters, T-shirts, or pants by gliding the Sweater Comb across affected areas in one direction.
• For heavier-gauge items, such as thicker sweaters, outerwear, or heavy upholstery, use the Sweater Stone .
• Use the Cashmere Brush between wears to remove lint, fuzz, and hair and to release natural oils that rejuvenate yarns.

• Knit items should be stored folded to prevent stretching or distorting. Store jackets and suits using a solid structured hanger.
• Wool and cashmere are susceptible to insect damage. Always store items clean.
• Prevent bug and moth infestation by storing in a breathable cotton Storage Bag with a zip closure. Storing in plastic encourages yellowing and can trap mildew-causing moisture, a prime environment for bugs.

All techniques are based on textile science. Not all garments perform and react as science would predict.