Wool is very sensitive and shrinks easily, but that doesn't mean you can't wash it regularly. Wash your clothes manually by soaking them in soapy water then rinsing and drying them. You can also use a washing machine that has been specially tuned for wool or sensitive fabrics and then hang them in the sun. Once dry, you may have to stretch your garment to its original size to prevent it from shrinking.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Hand Wash
Step 1. Fill the bucket with water and soap
Fill a clean bucket with warm water then add a mild detergent made especially for sensitive fabrics and materials. Check clothing labels for instructions on how much detergent you should use or add about half a measuring cup (118.29 ml).
Step 2. Put the clothes on
Put the clothes in a bucket full of soapy water and soak them completely. Use your hands to stir the clothes in the bucket for about a minute.
This gentle kneading mimics the motion of a washing machine and allows the soap to absorb into the fabric and remove any stains or dirt
Step 3. Soak for ten minutes
After stirring for a minute, let it rest and soak the clothes in the water for ten minutes.
Step 4. Lift the clothes and wring them out
After ten minutes, remove the clothes. Roll the garment from one end to the other and wring it out to remove excess water then set aside.
Step 5. Drain the water in the bucket and refill it
Drain the soapy water completely and then refill the bucket with warm water so you can rinse the clothes.
Step 6. Stir clothes in clean water
Put the clothes in a bucket of clean water and stir as before. This process will remove any soap residue from the wool fabric.
Step 7. Repeat rinsing if needed
One rinse should remove all detergent residue. However, if the water looks very soapy and there is still detergent on the clothes, refill the bucket with clean water and repeat the rinse process using clean water.
Method 2 of 3: Machine Wash
Step 1. Read the care instructions
Machine washing is likely to cause the wool to shrink. So, check the care instructions before you use the washing machine.
If the label instructs you to wash it by hand, it's better to wash it by hand. Machine wash only if this process is recommended on the care label
Step 2. Put the clothes in a mesh bag
Put clothes made of wool in a special mesh bag for washing. This bag prevents wool fibers from getting caught in the washing machine. You don't have to use this bag, but it can prevent damage to clothes.
Step 3. Set the machine to wool mode
Most washing machines have a mode created specifically for washing woolen clothes. If your machine does not have a wool mode, set it to the coldest water mode. This will prevent the wool from shrinking.
Some machines have a hand wash mode. This mode you can choose because it is quite soft
Step 4. Add a mild detergent
Use a detergent specifically designed for wool or other sensitive materials. Read the instructions for use to estimate how much detergent you need.
Step 5. Put the clothes into the machine
After you set the machine mode and put the detergent in, put the clothes in the machine. Close the machine and wait until the washing process is complete.
Method 3 of 3: Drying and Stretching
Step 1. Absorb water using a towel
Place a clean, dry towel on a flat surface and then lay the woolen cloth on top. Roll the towel from one end to the other along with the clothes inside.
The clean towel will absorb the excess water in the clothes so that the clothes dry faster when dried in the sun
Step 2. Squeeze the rolled up towel
Once the towel is completely rolled up, squeeze the roll from end to end. Do not twist the towel roll as this can tangle the wool fibers.
Step 3. Dry by laying the clothes on a flat surface
Unroll the towel and remove the clothes. Lay a clean, dry towel on a flat surface and lay the clothes on it to dry. To speed up the drying process, install a fan or dehumidifier against the clothes being dried.
Do not hang clothes to dry as this will cause them to stretch and deform
Step 4. Stretch the clothes if they shrink
Sometimes woolen clothes shrink when exposed to water. If your clothes look smaller than before, stretch them while they're still wet. Stretch from the top down, increasing the intensity as you pull the sides. Also stretch your sleeves if your outfit is a shirt or sweater.
You can also stretch the garment by attaching it to the towel with a needle during the drying process so that the garment stretches as it dries. However, this should be a last resort as this can sometimes cause the garment to wrinkle at the needle-affected areas
Tips
- Try hand washing before using the washing machine.
- Never put wool in the dryer as it will shrink significantly.
