How to Wash your Lambswool Knitwear — Collingwood-Norris (2024)

FAQs

How to Wash your Lambswool Knitwear — Collingwood-Norris? ›

Hand washing your lambswool knitwear

So, over time machine washed lambswool, even on a wool cycle will lose its soft appeal. However, some lambswools are specially treated so they can be safely machine washed. It is always best to check the manufacturer's care instructions usually printed on the care label on the inside body seam.

How to wash a lambswool sweater. Our lambswool sweaters (and hats, scarves and gloves) can be dry cleaned or washed by hand at home.

For all its incredible properties and natural hardiness, wool is quite a delicate fibre. The heat and action in the washing machine can cause wool to shrink. Wool fibers are made out of protein scales.

Wash your lambswool jumper with care

Either hand-wash your jumper in lukewarm water or machine wash with care. Always use a wool detergent, and if machine washing make sure you pick a wool wash (yes, it is different form a delicate cycle), and reduce the rpm for a low spin cycle.

Heat is what causes wool to shrink, and so heated anything—water, air—should be avoided when washing wool. Protect your wool sweaters by always washing them in cold water, then letting them air-dry. Not using the gentle cycle when machine-washing.

Depending on the thickness or weight of the item, wool fabrics should be either air dried or placed in the dryer on a gentle dry cycle. While heavier fabrics like coats and jackets may need the heat of a dryer, it's recommended to air dry older or delicate, lighter wool items.

Gently handwash Lambswool garments at 40° to freshen them up. Avoid warmer water temperatures that might damage the wool fibres. Use a gentle laundry detergent without fabric softener, as the latter might also harm the fibres. After washing, rinse using lukewarm water.

Wool garments should be washed on the wool setting (usually gentle action at 40°C). If your washing machine does not have a wool cycle, use the cold water wash or wash cycle for delicates. Use a neutral, mild detergent that is preferably Woolmark recommended (look for the Woolmark symbol on the packet).

Certain wool garments can safely be dried in a tumble dryer without the item shrinking. Woolmark-approved garments that have a care claim that states 'tumble dry' can be tumble dried on a low heat setting or a setting for wool or delicates.

How to wash lambswool and angora sweater? ›

Fill a tub or sink with tepid water and a very small amount of a mild specialist wool/cashmere/angora wash solution. Immerse the sweater, and swish gently, taking care not to stretch it. Soak for no more 10 minutes. The angora doesn't like the change in temperature !

The outermost layer of the wool fiber, the epicuticle, repels water. (The lanolin in wool also helps repel water.) So when you are out in the rain, even extended rain, or immersed in a river or the surf for a shorter time, the wool gets wet on the surface, like human hair would, but does not soak up any water.

Soak the sweater inside out in a tub of cold water and 2 tbsp (30 mL) of white vinegar for 15 minutes. Rinse with cold water, then massage hair conditioner into the wool and let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse again and air dry overnight, then place the sweater in a plastic bag and freeze overnight.

Pilling is caused by rubbing during wear and, although it can occur in any parts of the sweater, the most common areas are around the elbows, armpits, sleeves, belly and the sides of the sweater where, during wear, the arms of the garment are constantly coming into contact with the body of the sweater.

Temperature: Always wash wool at 30°C. You risk shrinking the garment if you wash it on a higher temperature. Cycle: Use the gentle or wool cycle in the machine, but if you want to play it safe, then wash by hand. Detergent: Use a gentle laundry detergent, so you don't damage the material.

These clothes may shrink, discolor, or even lose their original form when washed with water and detergent. The fabric's integrity and durability are often compromised. Special fabrics like silk, wool, velvet, and others labeled as “dry clean only” are particularly sensitive to standard washing machines' harsh cycles.

Wash on the delicate cycle (or wool cycle or hand wash cycle, if your washer features these settings). Use cold water and a mild liquid detergent like Woolite. Add an extra rinse to the wash cycle. To avoid shrinking, don't put wool clothing in the dryer.