Cleaning wool

[LongStick64]

I have an Asbell Wool Pullover and was wondering how to go about washing it ?

[Ragnarok Forge]

Woolite by hand and hang dry in cool area.

[oldskool]

I put mine in a pillow case and tie knot in it. throw it in the washer warm water and wash it with my huntin clothes. dry it the same way low or no heat. no problems

[Bird Dog]

I'd go the Woolite route.

[Spectre]

Originally posted by Ragnarok Forge:
Woolite by hand and hang dry in cool area.

Thats what I do with my kilts, and I don't even lose the pleats. Machines work ok, but handwashing is best if you want the wool to last a long time.

[Kapellmeister]

Agitation and heat will cause fulling or felting (and shrinking) of the wool.

Soaking (don't "rub" too much) in Woolite and hanging to dry is good advice.  Dry cleaning is also an option.

[bowmac]

Washy gently by hand and hang or block to dry.

[Eugene Slagle]

Originally posted by Spectre:
 

Originally posted by Ragnarok Forge:
Woolite by hand and hang dry in cool area.

Thats what I do with my kilts, and I don't even lose the pleats. Machines work ok, but handwashing is best if you want the wool to last a long time. [/b]

I need a new Kilt...

I wash mine by hand with Woolite & hang to dry.

[Ken Taylor]

Any of the above... but:

1) I only wash it when it really needs it (except for wool underwear of course).

2) Sometimes all I do is hang it outside in a natural area for a while.

3) I may add boughs, etc. where I store it.

4) I often get oversize stuff and shrink it on purpose to tighten up the weave and make it washable. (you must be careful and do it gradually - I like using a clothes dryer for that)

[joe ashton]

cold water and block to shape and air dry it...

[Terry Lightle]

Teresa told me to hand wash and lay out flat til dry.

[The Whittler]

What Joe Ashton said.

[kbertsch]

I read an article on wool a few years back and it said wool doesn,t retain oders. so since then I hang them owtside in the wind and dont wash them anymore.

[Spectre]

Originally posted by kbertsch:
I read an article on wool a few years back and it said wool doesn,t retain oders. so since then I hang them owtside in the wind and dont wash them anymore.

It may not retain residual odor, but, the funkiness that rubs off on it does.

[Thunderhorn25]

good topic, thanks guys

[Ed Q]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but is dry-cleaning not a preferred option?  If so, is it because the cleaning process may leave some kind of chemical scent that can more easily be picked up?  Or is it because of the extra cost compared to hand washing with Woolite?

[JockC]

I use a product called Eucalan.  They make a scentless variety.

The problem with dry cleaning and harsh cleaners is removal of lanolin.

If you poke around the internet a bit, you'll find more than you have time to read on the spinning, knitting, and wool diaper cover sites.

[Ron LaClair]

These are the instructions I send out with my wool products

   

  Ounce for ounce wool is one of the warmest fibers available. It will keep you warm even when wet. To take care of your wool garment, hand wash in luke warm to cool water. Mild detergent if necessary and hang dry.  With proper care this garment should last a lifetime.  

[Plaigh]

Originally posted by Ken Taylor:
Any of the above... but:

1) I only wash it when it really needs it (except for wool underwear of course).

2) Sometimes all I do is hang it outside in a natural area for a while.

3) I may add boughs, etc. where I store it.

4) I often get oversize stuff and shrink it on purpose to tighten up the weave and make it washable. (you must be careful and do it gradually - I like using a clothes dryer for that)

You mean to tell me there is "wool underwear" as in underwear? Wouldn't they itch you into insanity?

[Killdeer]

"Wouldn't they itch you into insanity?"

There goes our little secret.
Killdeer