Winter is here, which means it’s time to swap those sundresses and linen shirts for something a little warmer. With weather patterns changing within days (or hours) in Colorado, wool is a popular choice across the state. In this blog, you’ll learn more about why wool needs specialty care, how to clean your woolen garments at home, and when and why you should consider dry cleaning your wool clothing.
Why Wool Needs Specialty Care
Wool is a delicate fiber that warms you up while wicking moisture away from your body. Plus, some types of wool are naturally stain- and odor-resistant, making it a great choice for winter wear. However, to retain these properties and keep your wool clothing in top condition, take extra care during the washing process. Many items (especially structured items like blazers or jackets) may need to be dry cleaned to prevent them from becoming misshapen or damaged.
How To Clean Wool At Home
When it comes time to wash your woolen clothing, step away from the washing machine. Too much agitation, harsh soaps, or too high of heat can transform your soft woolen clothes into rough, uncomfortable garments. Instead, follow these steps:
Spot Clean When Necessary
Some wool can be stain-resistant, but no one wants a noticeable mark on their clothing. If the label says your garment can be hand-washed, don’t be afraid to spot-clean every once in a while. If you notice a stain, use a mild detergent or special woolen laundry liquid to gently dab at the stain.
Wash Wool By Hand
To prevent your wool clothes from becoming rough or misshapen, avoid machine washing wool unless it’s explicitly stated in the care label. If the care label says your garment may be hand-washed, follow these steps:
- Add some mild detergent to clean, lukewarm water
- Turn your garment inside out and gently swish it around in the water for about a minute
- Let the clothing sit and soak in the water for about 10 minutes
- Remove the garment and empty your vessel of soapy water
- Fill your vessel back up with clean, lukewarm water and swish the clothing around again to wash out any remaining soap
- Lay flat to dry
How To Dry Your Wool Items
Drying your woolen items flat will prevent them from stretching. Place a towel over a counter or flat surface and then place your garment on top. Carefully roll the towel up (with the garment inside) to absorb excess moisture. Then, unroll the towel and lay the garment on a new, clean towel to air dry.
Why Wool Should Be Dry Cleaned
If your garment’s tag says “Dry Clean Only,” don’t take it lightly. Some woolen items, like pea coats or blazers, are extremely delicate. For these items, contact with water may destroy the integrity of the garment, rending it unwearable.
It’s a good idea to take wool sweaters to the dry cleaners to remove stains, maintain their color, and retain the fabric’s quality. Dependable Cleaners’ stain removal experts are well-versed in removing stains from delicate fabrics like wool without causing damage. Plus, since dry cleaning is so gentle, regular cleanings can help your sweaters retain their vibrancy years after you purchase them.
At the very least, it’s a good idea to bring your wool sweaters and jackets to the dry cleaner at the end of the season. Not only will Dependable Cleaners closely follow the care label, but each garment will go through our 7-point inspection to ensure we catch all stains, repair buttons, cut loose threads, and return your items back to you as good as new.
Are you looking for a Colorado dry cleaner you can trust? Visit one of Dependable Cleaners’ many locations to learn more about our high standards of quality.
FAQs
Wash Wool By Hand
What is the best cleaner for wool clothes? ›
Using a neutral, mild detergent, preferably one that is Woolmark recommended, should be your go-to when hand washing or machine washing wool clothing. Avoid using heavy-duty detergents, “bio” detergents containing enzymes, or any detergents containing bleaches.
What detergents are safe for wool? ›
What we Recommend
- Bosistos Sensitive Detergent.
- Earth Choice Sensitive.
- Earth Choice Wool and Sensitive.
- Eco Store Laundry Liquid.
- Softly Wool Wash.
- Dirt Wool and Delicate Wash.
- Green Action Wool Wash.
- Aware Sensitive Laundry Liquid.
Wash on the delicate cycle (or wool cycle or hand wash cycle, if your washer features these settings). Use cold water and a mild liquid detergent like Woolite. Add an extra rinse to the wash cycle. To avoid shrinking, don't put wool clothing in the dryer.
What product to wash wool clothes? ›
Presenting Wipro Safewash Premium is made specially to care for your woollen and delicate clothes. A 7-benefit laundry liquid detergent enriched with the goodness of neem to give expert care to your family's winter wear clothes.
Is Woolite ok for wool? ›
What types of clothes can I wash with Woolite®? All Woolite® products are liquid detergents and are specially formulated for the machine to not cause shrinking, stretching, or fading on washable suede, linen, cotton, washable wool, silk, rayon, polyester, cotton/polyester, nylon, nylon/spandex and rayon/spandex.
Is oxiclean safe for wool? ›
If you do find a stain has set in, do NOT use Oxyclean, Bleach, or even Color-Safe Bleach. If you wouldn't put it in your own hair, then it's probably not the best choice for your wool. You can use the following to help spot-treat stains: Mixture of warm water and rubbing alcohol.
Can you use Dawn dish soap on wool? ›
The best thing to do is hand wash you garment (and any other wool garments) in the sink using warm water (not at all hot) and a small amount of gentle dish soap like dawn or shampoo. Gently scrub using your hands and do not wring or pull, as that will stretch your garment.
What can I use instead of Woolite? ›
Top Woolite Alternatives
- UNICORN Fiber Rinse Wash. UNICORN Fiber Rinse Wash is a good substitute if you are looking for laundry detergent for all your delicate garments. ...
- The Lab Co. Cashmere and Wool Laundry Wash. ...
- Blissy Plant Based Natural detergent. ...
- Outback Gold Wool wash. ...
- Eucalan Fine Fabric wash.
Depending on the thickness or weight of the item, wool fabrics should be either air dried or placed in the dryer on a gentle dry cycle. While heavier fabrics like coats and jackets may need the heat of a dryer, it's recommended to air dry older or delicate, lighter wool items.
Is vinegar safe for washing wool? Vinegar may be acidic, but it won't damage wool coats. In fact, diluted vinegar is considered one of the best cleaning solutions for wool. If you want to use vinegar when hand washing, simply mix in ½ cup to warm water while rinsing the coat out.
Why does wool smell bad after washing? ›
High-quality wool products can smell of lanolin, which is naturally secreted by sheep. This is what makes their coats waterproof, and this often results in wool smelling more strongly when wet.
How do you wash wool clothes at home? ›
If your washing machine does not have a wool cycle, use the cold water wash or wash cycle for delicates. Use a neutral, mild detergent that is preferably Woolmark recommended (look for the Woolmark symbol on the packet). It is recommended that garments are flat dried after washing.
What is a good detergent for wool? ›
Woolite Delicates Hypoallergenic Liquid Laundry Detergent
The gentle formula has been designed to prevent fiber damage or misshaping. It's a hypoallergenic detergent containing no enzymes, bleach, or phosphates, meaning it's suitable to be used on even the most sensitive of skin.
Is tide okay for wool? ›
But there is a caveat here: Tide contains protease, an enzyme that might break down protein-based fibers such as silk and wool. Tide is gentle enough for other delicate fabrics, and if you're hand washing in the sink, it costs only about five cents per wash.
What works best to clean wool? ›
While some delicate wool items should be hand washed, many wool garments such as heavy sweaters, blankets, and even wool coats can be machine laundered using gentle methods and a wool-specific detergent. Wool, felt, and other wool-like fabrics need to be washed with cold water and low spin.
How do you clean 100% wool fabric? ›
Turn your wool garment inside out, then hand wash in clean, lukewarm water, approximately 30°C, using a mild and gentle detergent. Allow to soak for a period of 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly firstly in lukewarm water, then finally in cold water.
Does white vinegar clean wool? ›
Distilled white vinegar can be added to the rinse water each time you wash a wool sweater by hand or in a washer. The mild acid helps remove any detergent residue clinging to the fibers that can cause them to feel stiff and scratchy. Any detergent residue left in the fibers can also attract soil more quickly.
How do you get stubborn stains out of wool? ›
If the stain is still visible, create a mixture of 3 parts surgical spirit or rubbing alcohol, plus 1 part of cold water and dab the stain with the mixture. Remove excess liquid by blotting with a lint-free cloth. 3. Rinse well, then wash following the care instructions using a Woolmark-approved detergent.
Can you wash wool with Dawn? ›
The best thing to do is hand wash you garment (and any other wool garments) in the sink using warm water (not at all hot) and a small amount of gentle dish soap like dawn or shampoo. Gently scrub using your hands and do not wring or pull, as that will stretch your garment.
