Caring for Your Woolens: Long-lasting Warmth, Softness Preserved

By Lynn Liu

Woolens hold a special place in our wardrobes, cherished not only for their lightweight warmth but also for their durability, breathability, and quick-drying properties. Moreover, they excel in wicking away moisture, ensuring a comfortable feel against your skin.

Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast familiar with layering or simply appreciate the warmth of woolens, you understand their versatility—suitable as both mid-layers and outer layers for various weather conditions and activities such as hiking, fishing, skiing, and trail running. Particularly in cold weather, woolens unquestionably become your trusted companions.

To ensure the longevity of outdoor gear like ski jackets, hiking pants, or fishing shoes, it's crucial to know how to properly wash, dry, and store your woolens.

Outlined below are steps to ensure your woolens remain in excellent condition for years to come.

How to Clean Woolens:

Whether it's a hoodie, blanket, jacket, or other garments, maintaining the softness and warmth of woolens is essential.

• Check Washing Instructions:

  • Always refer to the washing instructions on each specific woolen garment.

• Machine Wash:

  • Most woolens can be machine washed.
  • Use a gentle cycle with cold water to prevent damage and preserve color.

• Avoid Washing with Zippers or Buckles:

  • Avoid washing woolens with items that have zippers or buckles, as they may cause pilling.

• Use a Mild Detergent:

  • Utilize a mild detergent to prevent residue buildup.

How to Dry Woolens:

It's equally important to read the care label for specific garments to understand drying instructions.

• Opt for Air-Drying Whenever Possible:

  • Ideally, air-dry woolens by hanging them up or laying them flat.

• Low Heat or Air-Dry Setting:

  • If a dryer must be used, choose a low-heat or air-dry setting to prevent damage from overheating.

• Avoid Fabric Softener:

  • Despite the intuition, refrain from using fabric softener on woolens to preserve their moisture-wicking properties.

How to Store Woolens:

To prevent moisture buildup and odors, store woolens in a cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.

Woolen Care 101: Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How to Keep Woolens Soft?

   • Wash woolens with similar items, such as other soft, fluffy sweatshirts, hoodies, or blankets.
   • Avoid using a dryer; instead, hang or lay flat to dry.
   • Do not use harsh detergents, and always run an extra rinse cycle to ensure thorough rinsing, as detergent residue can damage the fabric over time.

2. Does Woolen Shrink?

   • Wool is fairly shrink-resistant compared to fabrics like cotton, linen, wool, or silk.
   • Avoid potential shrinkage by opting for a cold-water setting and air-drying.

3. How to Prevent Pilling on Woolens?

   • Following proper care instructions is the best way to prevent pilling on woolens.
   • As mentioned earlier, this includes washing woolens in cold water and always air-drying or laying them out flat.