Wool Camo Question

[Over&Under]

Some of the Wool camo out there today, KOM, Columbia, Shrew longhunter, etc...  If you wash and dry these, will they shrink or does it depend on the materials/blend, ????

One columbia jacket I have says on the tag "dry clean any solvent".  what does that mean

I am a little ignorrent about wool.

Thanks alot
Jake

mods - feel free to delete if not on topic.

[Jerry Jeffer]

A lot of wool is dry clean only, but you can wash it just don't dry it. let it lay flat to dry.

[oops sorry]

Any wool will shrink if dried using heat....most wools will shrink just a little, or not at all, if gently washed in cold to lukewarm water. I have wool bicycle jerseys and merino wool clothes that I machine wash warm with no problem whatsoever, but I line dry. My family was in the drycleaning bus. long ago when everyone wore wool suits to work. If the customer ever knew how many suits we hand WASHED; their head's would explode. Washing is often the only way to remove some stains. I strongly recommend AGAINST Woolite. Do not use strong detergents as they tend to remove the natural oils in wool (lanolin, etc.) Detergents exist (Kookaburra wool wash) that purport to preserve the natural oils in wool. Dry clean "any solvent" refers to the fact that several solvents exist...I wash my wools, ymmv

[Over&Under]

Thanks guys, that helps alot.

Any other advice?

oops sorry -  pm sent

[LV2HUNT]

The Columbia stuff is recycled wool and is a mix. I washed (machine) and dried (machine w/heat) it and as near as I can tell experienced little or no shrinkage. Do not try that with other wool products!!

That said, I normally machine wash cold (delicate or wool setting) and hang dry my columbia wool pants and woolrich wool vest.

[Steve Kendrot]

I had a pair of woolrich camwoolflauge pants I machine washed in cold water and line dried. They are now camoflauge knickers.... fortunately I tuck them into my  knee highs anyways...

[Overspined]

I intentionally bought an xl KOM bowmans jacket and washed/dried in std washer and dryer. I dried on low heat and not all of the way. I then blocked it a touch. The large jacket too small, the xl too large, but my version, just right. Also, I have hunted in several downpours without getting wet. One problem with drying is that you don't want some "panels" of material to shrink more than others, so it can be a bit of a gamble.  Using solvents doesn't make sense for scent prevention. I would advise against washing woolens w/out a label "allowing" it.

[Greg Skinner]

I've always washed my Filson cruisers and vests even though Filson specifically says not to.  My logic has always been that if I am out in the weather and have gotten the garment soaked, what is the difference between that and washing carefully in cool water and blocking out to dry.  I've never had a shrinkage problem by doing it that way.

[woodchucker]

I washed the Johnson's wool hunting jacket that my mother gave to me for Christmas (before she died) and it shrunk!!!!! I was heartbroke!!!!!

Now I buy "earth toned" 100% wool sweaters from the GoodWill store for about $3-$5.

I cover them with a 2X-3X long sleeve camo T-shirt.

"cheap" AND effective!!!!!    

[Over&Under]

What is the "blocking" term you are refering to?  I thought that was a dry cleaners process, is there a way to do it at home??

Jake

[BodarkOkie]

I wash my wool clothing...but like they said before, keep it out of the dryer.

[FWIW] I clean all my leather clothing and moccasins the same way...I know.    

[KSdan]

I wash my wool at home in the gentle cycle, cool temp, with a small amount of non-scent detergent that is made for wool.  I dry them on branches on trees in the yard or even a clothes line.  THE KEY:  periodically check the clothes as they dry and GENTLY stretch them back to shape each time you check them (ususally 4-6 x for me).  I actually stretch the arms lengths, body length, width, etc.  Though I am typically wear xxl 6'4" 215#- I have never lost a size with this.  I wear a lot of wool too!

[bentpole]

We have a state of the art new washer. All my Woolrich wool shirts and pants go in there HAND WASH cycle with woolite. Take out and I put them on a rack in the family room  until they dry.Or hang outside if it's not too cold.  No problems at all. They  even say on them dry clean only.

[Otto]

Honestly haven't felt a need to wash my wool outerwear.  I have SI bibs and pullovers and anoraks and have used them for oh...6 or 7 years.  Wool does not retain scent like other materials.  Mud,dirt etc...when it dries, I just shake it or brush it off.  During hunting season it hangs outside to get "aired" out and in the off season I store it in plastic bags.

Be careful of dry cleaning.  The harsh chemicals will remove the natural oils in quality wool garments.

[Labs4me]

Over&Under:

KSdan explains what "Blocking" is a couple posts below yours. Blocking is just the act of periodically stretching a wool garment as it dries to help it maintain its shape and size.

One thing nice about quality wool is that it really does not need to be cleaned all that often- maybe once every several years.

When I do wash my woolens, I'll wash them in late spring or during the fall when the outside temperature best facilitates a slow drying process. I've always been able to wash my Filson garments in the washer on the delicate cycle in cold water. I use no detergents whatsoever. I'll then take them outside and drape them over limbs of an evergreen to dry, being sure to block them at frequent intervals. I've used this same procedure for years and never had an issue with shrinkage.

Cold water wash by hand or delicate cycle. Allow them to dry slowly at mild, balmy temps; block them frequently, and you should be golden.

[Over&Under]

Labs4me -

I was wondering if thats what he was referring to...

Thanks for clearing that up for me, one thing I always like about your posts, very easy to read and understand.

I will keep that process in mind.

Thanks

jake

[KSdan]

Guys- the only question I have for some of you is the idea that your clothes do not have odor.  Maybe not to you!  :D  

Seriosuly though- every time a human takes a step they shed thousands of dead skin cells.  This is what animals track on the ground.  The thought of hundreds of thousands of dead skin cells collecting in my woolens makes me quiver.  

I wash them a few times each season. . .

I have been wrong thinking before- but the skin cells and odor is a fact.

[Frank V]

I have several items of clothing by C.C. Filson, I dry clean them. Frank

[Over&Under]

God point dan, I do not have enough experience with wool to know how it reacts to odor.

[WoodsmanPA]

I have a set of Pendelton wools for 4 years now, wash them all the time, hang dry, no trouble shrinking.