How to Wash Wool

Wondering if you can do anything about your wool sweater or scarf without sending it out for cleaning? You can. Washing wool isn’t as complicated or as scary as it’s made out to be so long as you know what you’re doing.

The main problem with washing wool is the material tends to shrink when agitated. This means the washing machine is out – even the gentlest cycle. You’ll be washing the wool, by hand, and for the most part, your hands will be off.

Remove Soapy Residue

To wash a wool sweater, for example sake, scrub out your bathtub or kitchen sink. You want any soap or soap residue completely removed as soap can harm the water resistant nature of wool.

Fill the clean sink or tub with hot water. This might seem counterintuitive to avoid shrinking the material, but it is not the temperature of the water that causes problems, but the agitation pulling fibers together. Hot water helps cut through greasy spots.

When you have what amounts to a bowl of hot water, add a tablespoon or two of liquid dishwashing detergent and swish the water around to get the detergent distributed evenly.

Soaking the Wool

Gently place the wool sweater into the hot water and avoid rubbing, swishing, or pulling of any kind. Leave the garment to soak in the hot water for a few hours.

When soaking is complete, allow the water to drain. Again, avoid letting this pull on the item at all.

Refill the basin with clean, hot water keeping the garment well away from the water stream to avoid agitation.

Drain the Water From the Clothes

Continue to refill and drain until the water runs clear – there should not be direct contact with the wool during the process, only being gently submerged and rinsed as water rises and falls in the container.

Remove the sweater to a colander or other mesh container being careful to not rub the wool on itself or anything else. Allow the water to drain out of the material.

While the water is draining, spread a clean towel on a flat surface. When most of the water has drained from the wool, carefully lay it flat on top of the towel. Roll the towel and sweater up to help remove even more water without actually pulling or rubbing on the material.

Air Dry Wool Cloth

Finally, lay the wool sweater flat on a drying rack. You may need to reshape the garment while it is wet. Then leave the wool be for up the three days so that it can dry completely.

Easy Step By Step

1. 1. Fill a basin with hot water.
2. 2. Add dishwashing detergent and then the wool item careful to not agitate it all.
3. 3. Soak the wool for three hours before draining the water from the basin.
4. 4. Refill and drain the basin repeatedly to rinse the wool without ever letting a stream of water come in contact with the material.
5. 5. Move the garment carefully to a surface to drain.
6. 6. Roll the wool in a towel to remove remaining water
7. 7. Lay the wool flat to dry

Warnings, Advice, and Suggestions

Avoid even the lightest rubbing of wool while washing it. Running water hitting one corner can actually shrink that corner, so use the utmost care.
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