wool care

caring

• Dry flat: Wet wool stretches easily, so lay your hand-washed knit on a clean towel, and gently roll it up to draw the water out. Unfurl, reshape your knit and let it dry on a new towel away from sun to bring it back to its natural softness. Machine washed knitwear should be shaken, reshaped and laid flat to dry.

• Store smart

• Knits should be gently folded and kept flat in drawers or on a shelf. Never store a knit on a hanger. When packing up winter woollens at the end of the season, make sure they are freshly washed before being placed in an airtight container.

• Dry clean once a season (or when stained), and especially before storing.

tips

• Reshaping: Wool can lose its shape if incorrectly washed or stored. To recover the shape of a knit, place inside out in warm water with a small amount of detergent. Soak for 15 minutes then drain, gently pressing the water out of the garment. Arrange the knit flat on a towel and allow to air dry.

• Pilling: Turn knits inside out when washing and avoid excessive use of fabric softeners that can encourage fibres to pill. If pilling occurs, remove gently by hand, with a comb or opt for an electric depiller, which shaves off pills.

• Stains: Treating your garment immediately can help prevent staining. Dab the area with a solvent-based stain remover like eucalyptus oil, applying small amounts at a time and working inwards to avoid spreading.

• Rinse the treated area with cold water, then hand wash the knit and dry. Always try a patch test on the garment before attempting to remove a stain.

• Keep moths away by storing wool with fresh cedar blocks.