Wool Product Care

Congratulations on choosing to purchase an Australian made wool product that will serve you for many years to come with proper care. You have made a great choice with a fibre that is sustainable, comfortable and naturally beautiful. To preserve the longevity and beauty of your wool items it is important to follow directions specific to wool and to your item and use wool specific detergents for cleaning as they are gentle on fibres. Other detergents and stain removers may actually damage wool as it is a natural organic fibre and made up of proteins like the organic stains you may be trying to remove.

Airing to freshen

Wool blankets and outerwear like coats are very easy to care for and you don’t need to wash them often, in fact, it’s best to wash them sparingly with prompt spot cleaning when necessary. Often air ventilation is the best way to freshen blankets by hanging outside dry, in the shade, where there is good airflow after a good shake to loosen any dust. A steamy bathroom can also refresh the fibres.

Spot cleaning

Wool is naturally resistant to staining due to its properties it takes some time for liquid to fully penetrate the fibre. When a mishap occurs act quickly to blot with a clean dry cloth to absorb excess liquid. Do this gently and avoid rubbing or scrubbing as this will damage the fibres. For something more solid scrape off the excess with a spoon carefully so as not to spread.

Use a bowl of some lukewarm water (below 40°C) with a small amount of gentle wool-specific detergent to cleanse the area by letting the stained area sit and then move up and down carefully. Do not rub or wring. Then rinse with cool water and towel dry to draw out excess water. Lay flat on a clean towel to air dry in a warm and airy space out of the sun. Pretesting detergent on an inconspicuous area first is often a good idea. Some stain removers may be suitable for wool but you need to confirm this with the supplier.

Woolmark are an excellent resource for wool care and researching the best ways to remove many specific stains with clever tips for things like grease, egg, milk, wine, fruit, coffee, chocolate, makeup, blood, ink and grass. Here is a link to their information.

https://www.woolmark.com/care/stain-removal-wool/

Washing

For best results we recommend hand washing unless the item specifically says that it can be gentle machine washed on a delicate wool cycle. Our boucle throw blankets for example should only be hand washed or dry cleaned.

To hand wash gently submerge the woollen item in lukewarm water (below 40°C) with a small amount of gentle wool-specific detergent. Agitate the water gently with your hands to release any dirt, drain then thoroughly rinse in cool water. High temperatures, rough handling or wringing can cause the fibre to distort and felt so it is very important to take care. After draining you can press the excess water out with a towel and then dry flat in the shade reshaping gently if necessary. Never tumble dry. Sometimes a soft baby or fabric brush can re-fluff the fibres if they appear flattened.

Dry Cleaning

Select a professional dry cleaner experienced with fine wool and specialty fibres like the ones in your item. If practical ask for gentler, eco-friendly solvents, such as silicone-based solvents that are gentler on wool.

Storing your wool

It is important to store items clean as stains and body oils will increase attraction to moth. Being a natural product wool is more susceptible to insect damage and should be stored with that in mind. Store either in a airtight box only if completely dry or with moisture absorbers. Check carefully for any moisture as mould and mildew loves damp and even when wool feels dry it can still hold some moisture. Wool prefers to breath so storage in cotton/calico bags or pillowcases with some natural repellent is recommended. Natural repellents like Bug Busters from Thurlby, which we stock and recommend, cedar wood shavings, bay leaves or lavender sachets can be placed inside storage bags, or directly with your wool items in a draw to deter pests and keep them smelling lovely. If you suspect that there may be the chance of moth exposure you can place the item in a bag in the freezer for 48 hours to kill any potential moth larvae or eggs for peace of mind before storing.

Pilling

Pilling of wool can occur for a variety of reasons. Not all wool items will pill but pilling is not an indication of poor quality but rather a delicate item which needs gentle handling. It is is generally from abrasive action on other surfaces and sometimes unavoidable. If pilling should occur there are ways to remove them and often pilling will settle down over time. Woolmark have a humorous and informative info page about pilling. Here is the link below.

https://www.woolmark.com/care/what-is-pilling/

Credit: Woolmark