If you’re new to using wool products, you may not know that wool has natural self-cleaning properties. This makes wool incredibly easy to care for! It also means you don’t have to wash it after every wear or use, making it last longer and using less water.
So, what makes it self-cleaning?
When sheep get wet, their bodies go through a process in which the natural oil on the wool fiber, called lanolin, reacts with the salt in their sweat and forms a natural soap-like substance. This soap-like substance acts as a natural cleaner. It pulls away moisture on the sheep’s skin and eliminates any odours. As humans, when we wear or use products made of wool, we can reap the same benefits from this process.
What’s the best way to take care of your wool products?
Shake out any dirt or dust and let your wool products air out in the fresh sunshine for a few hours. Sunlight helps kill and bacteria with its UV light. It’s the best way to freshen up your products!
If necessary, you can spot treat any spills or stains. Here’s how we recommend treating spills and stains on your wool products:
- Create a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar (or baking soda)
- Add it directly to the stain or spill of concern and dab gently with a damp cloth.
- Let air dry.
- Repeat if necessary.
If you really desire a deep clean or its your item gets heavily soiled, you have two options for washing your wool. You can wash your wool knits in the washing machine on a gentle or wool cycle or hand wash in a tub or sink. Wool bedding should be more carefully handwashed.
This is our recommendation for deep cleaning your wool products:
Machine Wash
- Set machine to wool, gentle, or delicate cycle and wash with cold water
- Use Eucalan detergent or wool specific soap. It is very important to use wool-specific detergents when washing your wool for a proper clean and condition.
- Lay flat to air dry. Your product may require some gentle stretching to return it to its original shape.
Hand Wash
- Fill the tub with cold water and Eucalan detergent.
- Allow your wool product to soak for about 15 minutes.
- Gently press down on your wool, allowing it to raise back to the water surface. Repeat this pushing and releasing until the water runs clear. Be gentle and ensure NEVER to agitate the wool. Agitating the wool will cause it to felt and become lumpy.
- Squeeze out as much water as possible. We recommend using your washing machine spin cycle to remove as much water as possible.
- No need for further rinsing. Eucalan detergent is also a conditioner and will help maintain the texture and look of your wool.
- Lay flat to air dry. Again, it may require some gentle stretching to bring your item back to its original shape.
Wool is quite easy to care for; however, it may require some time to get used to how often you should be cleaning your items. It’s important that you follow the directions when you choose to spot clean or deep clean your items to ensure they last as long as possible. Now you can put your feet up and enjoy all the free time you have with less laundry to do. Feel good about making the switch to wool.