- Always wash you item by by hand in lukewarm water, preferraby with a wool-friendly detergent which will have the correct ph factor for wools. I personally recommend Kookaburra or Ecover.
- *Do not* machine wash your item! The water temperature and agitation of the cycle will cause your item to felt, and this process is irreversible.
- The 'wool wash' program on your washing machine is designed specifically for machine washable wools. These are spun wools that are given a chemical coating to avoid felting, yet it has still been known for machine washable wools to felt, even with this washing program.
- Gently wash your item and avoid excessive agitation - again, agitation can cause your wool to felt even in mild water temperatures.
- *Do not* wring for the same reasons mentioned. Gently squeeze to remove excess water. Some woolcare recommends a gentle spin cycle, yet I feel this can be detrimental to the wool and cause felting. Alternatively, place your wool item between clean, dry towels to remove larger quantities of water.
- In the case of dye leakage, which occurs occasionally the first time a hand dyed item is washed, rinse after washing with cold water until the water runs clear. It is recommended to hand wash wool items separately, although this dye leakage should not stain other items.
- If you feel your wool needs a conditioner, hair conditioner, particularly those for babies, is the best for your fabric. Most commercial fabric conditioners are designed for cotton and synthetic items, to soften and remove static, and are not ideal for wool. Wool is a protein fibre similar to hair and thus can be conditioned similarly.
- *Do Not* tumble dry! Wool must be allowed to dry naturally, even if this takes a couple of days.
- Always dry your wool item flat. This can be achieved on a clean, dry towel or by using a specific wool dryer that lies over the bath. These mesh dryers are advantageous as they allow air to circulate, speeding the drying process and keeping your item fresh.
- Reshape your item whilst damp - otherwise known as blocking. Wool has a memory, and will keep it's shape when dry if attention is paid during the drying process. To avoid creases occurring whilst drying, turn your item over or reposition carefully.
- To remove any creases from a dry wool item, gently iron with a damp cloth and a low iron temperature. To much direct heat from an iron can leave an unsightly glossy mark.
- Store your woollen items carefully if they are not to be used for any amount of time. Lavender and Cedarwood are particularly effective at keeping wool moths at bay. Moth balls are no longer effective and cause more damage to you and the environment than they do to moths!
- Plastic bags can make wool sweat, so allow a little air to circulate or use paper bags. Acid-free tissue paper is generally recommended for wrapping and storing wool.
- This may sound like a long, tedious list but it isn't difficult! By following these instructions, your wool is likely to out live you and gives years of pleasure and warmth.