drying wool quickly?

[Zradix]

Hey Gang,

I've spent years trying to find a relatively inexpensive way to stay warm, quiet, and dry....and be able to hunt and shoot a bow..

I've found a system of layers that does work well for me.
merino wool socks and long underwear, poly prop. layers of different thicknesses depending on temps, and a fleece coat. For windy cold days I have a windblock layer. For rainy days I have some water resistant gear. Nothing expensive..mostly all off brand stuff. Maybe $120 tied up in everything..I think less.

Anyway, I've definitely noticed synthetics like to absorb and hold odors. Mostly have trouble with the base layers..especially in the pits. I've tried about everything to rid the smell..detergent, baking soda, vinegar (most effective btw). After washing the scent seems gone, but as soon as I put it on and "warm it up" the odor is right back.

I've noticed my merino wool underwear doesn't hold the smell like the synthetics. It's much much better in that respect.
AND when I wash it the smell stays gone.
I very well may switch to all merino wool under layers when my pocket book can take the hit. I feel the wool even though considerably more expensive will be less expensive in the long run as it seems I need new synthetic layers every 2 years or so.
...I understand to many spending $80-$100 isn't much for hunting layers every couple years but it is something I'd rather not look forward to.

OK..so that's the base layer story.

Now I'll get to the real question..sorry for the delay..
I'm using a fleece coat now. It absorbs odor and keeps it through washings just like the other synthetics. It's just taking longer to become "stinky" as it's farther from my body.

So I'm thinking about a wool coat..maybe an Asbell..or something similar. I'll have to try on whatever I choose before buying though. I seem to be able to wear merino wool just fine, but when I put on other types of wool I feel like I'm wearing a cactus...it's BAD..lol

My worries for the wool coat is in the drying of it.
I'll often go out on misty days without rain gear. My rain stuff is slightly loud and doesn't breathe all that well.

If my fleece coat gets wet, I just go home, put it in the dryer and it's dry ready to go in short order.

I'm worried about being able to do this with a wool jacket.
I know wool takes WWAAAYYY longer to air dry than synthetics.
( I've used wool winter caps since I was a kid and love them..but it takes forever to dry.)

Can you put an wool coat in the dryer?
An Asbell for instance?
I wouldn't be against taking it out every 15 mins or so to put on and stretch it out if that works.

 I don't have forced air heat so I can't put it by a vent.
I don't think hanging it outside on a freezing, snowy night will help much.
How long does it take to air dry a soaked wool coat inside a house?

Sorry for the long story, I just thought it might help explain where I'm coming from.

Thanks for the help!
     

[Mint]

No dryer for wool. I have KOM wool and when it gets wet and hang it to dry in my laundry room and it is dry by the next day. If it isn't and is still a little damp I just wear it anyway since wool kkeps it warmth when damp any how.

[Tim Finley]

Don't put any wool in the dryer. Wash stretch and air dry. Just washing some wools  will shrink .Dry cleaning is the best . Deer cant smell you unless they are down wind and then it doesnt matter what you do to your clothes .

[dingas]

I just picked up a knit wool sweater at the sally ann and it smelled like cigarette smoke and mothballs so I hand washed it, stretched it and laid it on a flat rack in my laundry room. Main body dried in about a day but the sleeves seemed to hold the moisture a few days. I didnt need to wear it right away (its pretty thick - late season wear) but like Mint said it will keep warm when wet too.

[Forester]

If you would like to jump start the  drying process you can remove the "loose" water with a towel before laying or hanging a wool garment to dry.    After the item is allowed to drain away excess water and is only slightly dripping, lay the garment on a bath towel and lay another towel on top, then roll them all together and squeeze gently.  If it is a heavy garment that holds a lot of water you can put another towel inside. Unroll the bundle and remove the towels with the moisture they absorbed.  This will cut air drying time significantly.

[4dogs]

I know it costs more but when you find the jacket, sweater or whatever is going to work for you buy two of them so you have a backup when the other is drying. Like you say once you find what works in wool it will last for years.

[Zradix]

Good ideas here Gents.
Thank you
   

[Bjorn]

Good ideas above for drying wool. I would like to add just a foot note. If you have stinky synthetics you are buying the wrong products.
I have base and intermediate layers that can be worn on outings for days and remain completely odorless. Do a little research and you will find them too.

[Zradix]

I've tried the antimicrobial stuff. Didn't seem to work for me.
Maybe other brands will be better...?

[George Vernon]

Zradix,
Synthetic fibers will not absorb moisture or body odor.  Dried sweat and other soils that can collect on the surface of the fibers will.  You might start by making sure your synthetic layers are 100% synthetic.  I've seen a lot of 'synthetic' fabrics with 10% or more cotton fibers.  Cotton fibers do absorb moisture and can retain body odor.

You might also try to 'clean' the washing machine you are using.  I know this sounds a bit odd, but bear with me.

Many of the high efficiency washers made in the last 5 years or so, especially the front loaders, have a wet sump that never gets emptied.  This can be the source of mold and other things which can leave a layer of odor producing residue on the fabric.  May smell fresh right out of the washer, but put it on, and the body odor types of smells come out rapidly.

Tide and other brand name soap makers offer a variety of 'cleaners' for modern washing machines.  You simply add just like detergent, but with no clothes and run the washer on a complete cycle empty.  Most washing machine manufacturers recommend such a cleansing cycle about once per month.  A must do before every load of hunting clothes works best for me.

[hvyhitter]

After washing my wool by hand I take it outside, grab by the collar, swing around about a dozen times to fling out most of the water, it gets it pretty dry. Pants I grab by the bottom of the legs. Then lay flat on drying rack and its dry overnight.......OBTW this also works great if I get soaked by rain. Swing the water out and the coat drys pretty  quick while worn........

[Bjorn]

REI and Patagonia and others have synthetics that will stay fresh even after days of pretty heavy exertion hiking the woods stalking game.

[Zradix]

Thanks Bjorn.

[woodchucker]

Just wear it wet...

I wish I had a dollar for every time I put on wet wool hunting clothes, LMAO!!!

Classic Sportsman ? Classic Bowman  Wool Clothing .  I live and breath wool every day.
I pick the colors - yarns, weight , patterns , buttons etc.
If you look at companies like Filson, Pendelton , Woolrich. Not one recomends washing.
Unless it is washable wool--   I do not see this washable wool offered any more. It is washable because it does not have a lot of wool in it--  be cautions of " other material.
Nylon in wool is a good thing -  it makes it softer. By the way, wool is most often " blended from different sheep-- of which there are many.
Never put wool in the dryer, there are always trade offs on material. Fleece is like a sponge,also very flamable -- I have tested my wool to a flame - it almost puts itself out - fleece
 drys easily. Wool takes longer -- but will keep you wanm when wet. Can you imagine what would have happend in the gold rush days . Climbing the Chilkoot Trail--   how many would have made it ??  Or GI's in the army--  
Merino Wool is the best --  there are light - med and heavy versions --  not cheap --   but will last a very long time --  does not smell.
MY merino wool is 7 years old --  it is in great condition--  
Make sure to look at the label, will usually indicate  percent of wool--   70/30   85/15   100 %  wool--    I do not feel it is necessary to have 100% wool. Nylon adds softness, durablilty -- a little bit of nylon is a good thing.
I do not line  my jackets or vests --   that prevents the wool from breathing --  if it is cold and windy, put on a wind breaker - down vest - down or some kind of synthitic layer. This is for standing--
An old Turkey hunter John McDanial wrote a great book on Turkey hunting - but advocated wearing wool -  he said-- when you step out of your truck- in 20 to 30 degree temps --  do not dres up-- you may be cold for the first 50 - 100 yards --  but you will aviod sweating -  
Layerinng is key--   my jackets are 20- 22 ounce wool -- made for layering --  how often do you use that real heavy jacket -   spend your money wisly--  
I will be offering a much heavier jacket in the future - that is for the guys who live in real cold country --  
Keep in mind =-=- Wool prices have sky rocketed in the last severaly years-  I have gotton up to 20 % increase in the cost of wool for the last several years --  it will continue to go up -
Another bit of info--   plaids are more expensive to produce and cut and Sew--   matching the plaids is a specail tallent =--  
Cutting places hate to cut plaids and charge more to cut the jacket --
The only  item I have ever had retrurned was from a customer who washed the shirt-- it shrunk -- and it will loose  good looks after washings.
If you are worried about the smell-    hang it outside in a plastic bag or some place  safe place--  I did send the customer another shirt -
When is it raining --  you need rain gear --  
there is alot of good product out there--
I am currently looking at some great products anb will offer something in the future- I will always test first-- this is the same company that has produced for Sitka and Kuiu --   only I don't do camo--   )  
MY suggestions -- merino wool base-- light wool shirt of sweater-- or one of the very light wool shirts- cary a wind breaker it really  helps stop the wind--    I plan to offer one in the future-- also merino wool --
If I can asssist in any way, contact   www.classicsportsman.com     MY Best   Rob Tiberio
Take care of your wool -- it will last forever- it will take care of you--  !  stay warm my friend !!   and stay safe--  most of all have fun .

[njloco]

It's a real interesting subject. I have a Swanndri  shirt and a jacket, they seem to be waterproof and are advertised as such. I finally got to test the shirt in Idaho last month when it rained pretty good on us, I only got wet from the thigh down as the pants I was wearing ( not the Swanndri brand ) were not waterproof. Only problem is your not going to find that brand too cheap, but keep looking as they do come up every now and then.

I have found that different synthetics hold odor at different rates, I have also found that if I wear a T-shirt under my synthetic fleece top, for some reason it doesn't seem to retain the odor, and I don't get cold either.

If you want to get rid of odor, without washing, try using a ozone generator, as it kills everything that can cause odor, works great, I have been using one for years, it also works great on cloths with carbon it them and it will regenerate the carbon, 100% !

Also, I have a Classicsportsman hat, all I can say is "1ST. class all the way".

Good luck

P.S. Remember, with a few exceptions, you get what you pay for.

[dingas]

Forester has a good tip about the towels. I forgot that I did do that too. Basically I followed Teresa Asbell's directions that I found either on here somewhere or probably on their site...

[Roadkill]

I must have been a shepard in an earlier life.  I love my wools-Swandri, woolrich and surplus wools from european countries all have a place in my hunts at different times.  great thread and advice here.

look into the surplus wools-fairly cheap but very reasonable quality.

[Zradix]

Thank you very much everyone.

GREAT information and insight.

   

[Roger Norris]

Zradix....I just brought a thread to the top for you called "Washing Wool". Check it out, it was written by Teresa Asbell, very interesting