Caring for Fine Wools
Soft, cozy, and breathable, wool is one of nature's greatest insulators.
A highly popular fabric for tailoring fine garments, it beautifully resists
wear-and-tear. Remarkably, wool not only retains its shape after being
stretched, but it can also absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without
feeling damp.
As with all fine fabrics, quality wool garments can
provide years of enjoyment, when properly cared for. The guidelines below
offer basic care instructions.
Q.
How should I store my wool garments?
A. After wear, empty the pockets to prevent bulging or sagging. For short-term
storage on frequently-worn items, hang the garment on a decent hanger in a cool,
ventilated environment. Never cram wool garments together; allow enough room
for creases to "hang out." For long-term storage, it is wise to dry
clean first, which removes bodily oils, thus keeping moths at bay. Hang or fold
the items (never hang knits!) and store with mothballs or fresh cedar blocks,
which tend to have a more pleasant odor.
Q. What do I do if the garment gets stained?
A. Surface stains can be removed it attended to immediately. Rinse small stains
with cold water and/or seltzer and dab dry with a clean cloth (not a paper towel).
Q.
What do I do when my wool garment gets wet?
A. Air dry your garment in a well-ventilated room of moderate temperature,
keeping it away from direct heat and sunlight. Never dry wool garments with
a blow dryer,
a radiator, strong sunlight, or a fire. Do not tumble dry in the dryer unless
the label specifies so.
Q. If strong odors, such as cigarette smoke, have been
absorbed, how can I remove
them?
A. Air the garment out in a well-ventilated room. If odors persist, take the
item to a reputable dry cleaner in your area.
Q. How do I wash my wool garments?
A. Carefully consult the washing instructions on the label inside the garment.
Some items can be hand washed at home, but others require dry cleaning. Occasionally,
some items can be machine washed and dried, when specified on the label.
Q. Can
I iron wool garments?
A. Again, carefully consult the instructions on the label. Many wool garments
will shed their creases when hung in a steamy bathroom for a short while, or
overnight. Deeper wrinkles can often be removed by ironing on the "wool" setting
with a damp cloth or steam iron. Always read the label first.
Q. What preventive/maintenance
measure should I take?
A. After wearing, gently brush to remove surface dust and oils that might cause
stains later on. It's also good to ventilate wool items for a while after wearing.
Wait a day or so before wearing the garment again will help prolong its life.
Wool Blanket Care
With proper care, wool blankets can last for decades. Here are some tips for
keeping your blankets in tiptop shape.
These wool blankets do not like to be machine washed (especially in hot water).
Washing in water will cause shrinkage, the higher the water temperature the
greater the shrinkage. Should a blanket shrink you will not be able to re-stretch
it without ruining the blanket.
Dry cleaning is the best way to clean a wool blanket and results in a fresh
and soft blanket. You don't need to dry clean the blanket often, maybe two
or three times a year. In between the dry cleaning a good shake or brushing
off is adequate.
An alternative to Dry cleaning
is to hand wash it in cold water using a special wool cleaner. Indigenous Designs
recommends using the “Wool Wash” brand. After the wash, flat dry
is recommended. Absolutely avoid dryers for they will shrink the blankets.
Over time, areas of the blanket will
start to show signs of wear. Little bobbles of wool will form around the
wearing areas. This is known as pilling. The fabric will become rougher than
normal and the insulation qualities will be degraded. The bobble can be removed
by applying a soft brush to the affected area.
Wool is a hardy, durable product that requires minimal care. By following
the simple instructions you can be sure that your blankets will last for
many years if not decades.