Wool
Does wool shrink?
Yes, for good: heat, temperature shocks and friction don't just shrink wool – they felt it. Cool water, a gentle cycle and drying flat only.
How to prevent it
- Wash cool: 30 °C or as the label says, never hotter.
- Use a gentle cycle and a lower spin.
- Dry without heat – on a line or flat; the dryer is the main culprit.
- Iron at the temperature on the label.
If it has shrunk
- If it has shrunk: soak in lukewarm water with hair conditioner for 30 minutes, gently stretch and dry flat. It helps some fabrics; felted wool won't recover.
About wool
Shorn fleece is scoured, carded and spun. The crimped fibre traps air – that's why it's warm.
Which fabrics shrink most and least
Other questions
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
01What is wool?
Sheep's fleece. Shorn fleece is scoured, carded and spun. The crimped fibre traps air – that's why it's warm.
02Is wool a natural fabric?
Yes – a natural animal fibre.
03Is wool breathable?
Yes: wool lets air through and absorbs moisture – cool in the heat.