Here are a few simple measures, provided by the Woolmark Company, to help keep your wool garment in great shape. (We'd also love to hear your tips - send us an email & tell us how you care for your favorite woollen items)

 

Check the label
Always read the washing instructions on the label inside the garment. They'll vary depending on the type of item you have bought. Some are hand wash or dry clean only, others can be machine washed.

Hand Washing
Hand wash in lukewarm water (40 degrees C maximum) using an approved wool detergent. Turn the garment inside out to protect the surface. Make sure the powder or liquid is fully dissolved before immersing the garment. A short soak of less than five minutes will help to dislodge dirt, before gently squeezing the liquid through the item. Avoid agitation as this causes shrinkage. Avoid harsh rubbing. Rinse first in lukewarm water, then in cold. You can use a small amount of fabric conditioner if you prefer. Either roll the knitwear between clean towels or use a short spin cycle on your machine. Do not wring the garment. After rolling or spinning, coax the garment back into shape while damp.

Machine Washing
If your item is labelled machine washable, use a gentle wool cycle at 40 degrees C and an approved wool detergent. Turn the garment inside out to protect the surface. Do not pre-soak.

Drying
Dry flat or if line drying, fold the garment over the line to prevent stretching.  It is preferable to dry wool garments in the shade as direct sunlight can discolour some items. Do not attempt to dry wool near a fire or heater. Do not tumble dry unless your garment is labelled as suitable.

Dry Cleaning
Almost all wool garments can be dry cleaned (check your care label). Point out stubborn stains to your drycleaner before treatment begins.

Ironing
Many wool garments do not need ironing but if you are ironing wool always use a moist heat. Either use a steam iron on a warm/wool setting or a damp cloth. Don’t press wet or damp garments – wait until they are dry.

Air it
Lie knits flat on a bed for an hour or so to get rid of any odours, such as cigarette smoke.

Fold knits
Never hang knits. Fold them and store with breathing space.

Removing Stains 
Treat stains immediately
Stains require swift action. The first rule is 'don't panic'.  If possible, treat stains as soon as they happen – if left they will be harder to remove.

•  Rinse small stains with cold water and blot dry with a clean cloth, never with paper towels.
• Avoid hard rubbing – this can damage the fibres of the wool and destroy the surface appearance
• Don’t apply heat – this can ‘set’ the stain making it more difficult to remove
• Use an approved wool detergent.
• If applying flammable cleaning agents, make sure you do so in a well ventilated area away from any naked flame.
• Do not overwet the item.
• Work from the edge of the stain inwards.
• Blot the area with a clean absorbent cloth – preferably white. Avoid using paper towel.
• Rinse the treated area in clean water and dry in the normal way.
• If you do not have the confidence to treat the stain yourself, ask the advice of a reputable dry cleaner.

If you decide to treat the stain yourself, the following provides you with some guidance for specific stains.

• Alcoholic Drinks - Dab gently with an absorbent cloth to remove as much excess liquid as possible. Sponge the area sparingly with a mixture of warm water and surgical spirit in equal parts.
• Black Coffee - Mix alcohol and white vinegar in equal parts, soak a cloth in the solution and lightly dab the stained area before pressing gently with an absorbent cloth.
• Blood - Quickly dab a damp sponge on the mark to remove excess blood. Dab area very gently with undiluted vinegar followed by cold water.
• Butter/Grease/Sauces - If a greasy mark forms, first lightly scrape the surface of the stain with a spoon or knife to remove any excess oil. Then soak a cloth in proprietary dry cleaning fluid and gently dab the area.
• Chocolate/White Coffee/Tea - Dab gently around the edge of the stain with a cloth soaked in white spirit before following instructions for black coffee.
• Egg/Milk - Dab gently with a cloth soaked in white spirit. Repeat the action with a cloth soaked in diluted white vinegar.
• Fruit/Red Wine/Fruit Juice - Dab the stain quickly with a mixture of surgical spirit and water (3:1 ratio).
• Grass - Apply soap very carefully (using a mild tablet soap or flakes) or dab gently with a cloth soaked in surgical spirit.
• Ink/Ballpoint Pen - Dab gently with a cloth soaked in white spirit. Repeat with a cloth soaked in white vinegar or surgical spirit.
• Lipstick/Make-up/Shoe Polish - Rub gently with a cloth soaked in eucalyptus oil or spot cleaning spray or fluid. Rinse with mild soapy water.
• Urine - Act as quickly as possible. Lightly blot the area with a dry sponge to absorb as much excess liquid as possible before applying undiluted vinegar. Then treat as for blood.
• Wax - Carefully scrape off as much wax as possible from the garment with a spoon or blunt knife. Place blotting paper over the mark and iron gently on dot 2 setting.

Cleaning Sheepskins
A sheepskin must be treated for washability at the tanning stage for it to be washable. If you put an untreated sheepskin into water, the wool will wash satisfactorily, but the skin on the back could harden (should this happen accidentally, rub some neatsfoot oil into the skin to soften it – to avoid staining make sure the oil is completely absorbed before placing the sheepskin over another surface).

If the sheepskin is labelled washable, then follow the general washing instructions above. When spin drying make sure you have the fleece side out.

After washing, the wool may have lost its ‘fluffy’ appearance and be slightly matted. Brushing with a stiff brush will restore the appearance and remove any loose fibres.