It's 114 degrees and I got wool!

[Rob W.]

Heat index says 114 here. Probably not the best day to be talking about wool but I couldn't pass up a deal on a pair of german military wool pants. My questions are how would I clean them and how often? They also have a few nicks. Couple in the leg and one small one on the seat. What would be the best way to repair?

[Mike Vines]

Man those are character marks, leave them.  As for cleaning them, all I do is lay them on my wood pile in my garage, and if there is no rain forecasted, I just hang them in my swamp.

[jhg]

I wash mine: cold water only, gentle cycle, front load washer once a year. Lay flat on towels to dry. Some shaping required on some garments.


Don't put it in the sun to dry.


 I hang pants by the cuffs and that keeps them from shortening much at all. Add weight to them to pull them as they dry if you want.

Will they shrink????????????

Most stuff I own never shrunk or if it did it was so slight it was not an issue. It might shorten the length a bit. But not all wools are created the same so be open minded about trying this method.  

I don't use woolite or any other product. My wool   cleans easily just water, but then I don't roll around in old gut piles with it on either.  I have gotten serious mud in the wool though and the usual blood.

Joshua

[magnus]

Unless muddy or bloody just hang outside to get rid of scent. Wool won't hold scent like other fabrics. Store in a sealed container or platic with cedar chips to keep the moths away. Cedar bedding from a pet store works good.

[moose eye levi]

Atleast I'm not the only crazy one wanting wool when it's this warm out