How to care for wool

At Alyssa Lloyd we love wool. Not only is it a great addition to your winter wardrobe due to its insulating properties, but when cared for it can last years. Merino wool, in particular, is also antimicrobial and odour-resistant and doesn’t require frequent washing. However, the care aspect can be a reason why many people shy away from buying wool. Looking after your favourite pieces doesn’t have to be a time-consuming process, read on to learn about how to care for wool garments like our Merino Basics and Cropped Wool Blazer.

Washing

While some wool fabrics like merino can be machine washed, regular washing can damage the fibres of some wool garments and lead to shrinkage over time. We highly recommend hand washing your wool items using these easy steps

Step 1 - Pick the right detergent

Many brands like make wool specific washing detergents, we particularly like Ecostore. If you don’t have a wool specific product you can get away with a regular washing liquid (provided it’s gentle), a hair conditioner, or a laundry bar soap like Sard.

Step 2 - Soak

Fill a clean bucket with slightly tepid water, add a small amount of your chosen detergent (just enough so a few bubbles form), and add your wool items. Submerge the clothes and make sure they are completely wet. If your item has marks or stains, use a small amount of detergent to gently rub them away. Leave to soak for a few minutes.

Step 3 - Remove excess water

It’s important not to wring or stretch wool while it’s wet as this can cause it to lose its shape, so the best method to dry is to use the towel method. Remove your garments one at a time from their soaking bucket. Give them a gentle squeeze (don’t wring!) and then place them flat on a clean, dry towel. Gently start to roll up the towel, sandwiching your wool garment in between the layers of the towel. Once its completely rolled up, give it a few squeezes to remove as much water as possible and unravel.

Step 4 - Dry flat

Next is to move your garment somewhere it can dry flat for a few hours. We find the best thing to do is leave it on the towel and pop in a slightly sunny place. 

Some sturdy wool items will do well to be hung from a coat hanger to dry completely, but never hang lightweight wool garments, especially when they’re wet. 

Storing

Lightweight wool garments like our Merino basics are best stored flat and folded in a draw. If you need to hang them make sure you use shaped or padded hangers to prevent them from becoming stretched out at the shoulders.

Heavier weight jackets and coats can be hung in the wardrobe. Before storing jackets away at the end of the season, make sure the item is clean and pockets have been emptied. Consider storing jackets and coats in protective bags to ensure they’ll stay pristine until next winter!