Don’t understand why your woolen garments always shrink in the washing machine, no matter what you do? Even though you follow the care instructions, your woolen garments always come out damaged, pilled, or shrunk?
Wool is a noble and delicate fabric that requires meticulous care. In this article, we explain everything you need to know about wool and how to care for it.
What not to do
Hard, hot water
Wool is a fiber that loves water, but not just any water. The water we have at home from our taps is too hard. That’s why when you wash your wool by hand and then dry it in the open air, it comes out rough. And what about hot water? The heat will “cook” the wool fiber, causing your woolen garments to shrink.
Machine wash
Domestic washing machines have unsuitable programs. The drum cycles are always too fast and the water too hot. The combination of fast drum cycles and hot water is bad, and that is why your woolen items shrink.
Tumble dry
Wool does not like hot water, but it also does not like hot air. Domestic washing machines heat up too much, even on delicate cycles, which has the effect of “cooking” the wool, making it harden and shrink.
Our top tips for successful cleaning
Eco-friendly cleaners
Our Daoust Eco-Efficient Cleaners use water-based technology and gentle cleaning products that are kind to fibers. Our machines are also high-performance and high-quality, with over a hundred programs. We therefore have all the expertise and know-how to restore your woolen garments to their original softness and quality. Your woolen garments will last longer and won’t get damaged. Wool loves water, remember? And so do we!
Our technology, unique in North America, ensures the quality of your laundry care. The Daoust Eco-Efficient Cleaners network is extensive, so you will always find a Daoust cleaner near you.
Cleaning by hand
However, if you have no other option but to clean your home, we recommend that you follow these tips:
- Fresh water: Fill a basin with cold water and immerse your wool garments in it. The water will allow you to gently apply the cleaning product to the fibers, relaxing and softening them. It is important to wash your cashmere, merino, and other types of wool garments regularly. This will help them retain their softness.
- Your hands: They will replace the action of the drum and allow the cleaning product to mix with the water and the fabric.
- A gentle wash: Use a special wool detergent that will gently clean the wool. Our grandmother’s tip: Add a little white vinegar to the basin. White vinegar has a protective and anti-limescale action, protecting your wool from limescale deposits and preventing your sweaters from becoming rough when dry.
- Drying: Drying is often a very delicate step because once washed by hand, woolen garments are often full of water, and drying them on hangers can cause them to lose their shape and stretch. We recommend wringing out your woolen garments thoroughly, rolling them up in a dry towel, wringing them out again, and finally laying them flat on your drying rack.
By following these tips, your sweaters will retain their original shape, softness, and suppleness.
