← Back to the care guide
Wool
Wool is warm, breathable and naturally odour-resistant. It needs washing far less often than people think, but the wrong care can shrink or felt it.
At a glance
- Washing
- Hand-wash or wool cycle
- Temperature
- Cool, up to 30 °C
- Drying
- Flat, reshaped
- Ironing
- Cool iron, through a damp cloth
- Dry cleaning
- Good for coats and blazers
Washing
- Wash only when you need to. Wool naturally resists dirt and odours, so frequent washing only wears it out.
- Choose a hand-wash in lukewarm water (up to 30 °C) or a gentle 'wool' cycle with a low spin (600 rpm max).
- Use a detergent made for wool or delicates; standard enzyme powders break the fibres down.
- Don't soak or rub — gently press the water through the fabric.
Drying
- Squeeze out water by rolling the item in a towel; never wring it.
- Dry flat, reshaped to its original form, away from radiators and direct sun.
- A wet jumper on a hanger stretches under its own weight, so skip hangers.
Storing
- Fold and store on a shelf rather than a hanger to keep its shape.
- Make sure it's clean and fully dry before storing for any length of time.
- Keep seasonal pieces in breathable fabric bags, not plastic.
Stain removal
- Treat a stain immediately, dabbing gently with a damp cloth from the edge inward.
- Use cool water — hot water can set protein-based stains such as sweat or food.
- For grease, sprinkle cornflour, leave it, then brush off before washing.
Pilling & moths
- Remove pills with a wool comb or fabric shaver, working in one direction.
- Cleanliness plus cedar or lavender sachets in the wardrobe keep moths away.
- If you suspect moths, seal the item in a bag and freeze it for a few days.
Care labels & common mistakes
- Always check the label symbols first — a basin with a hand means hand-wash, a crossed-out triangle means no bleach.
- Washing hot or on a normal cycle is the main cause of shrinking.
- Hanging it wet or tumble-drying deforms wool permanently.