How to wash

How to wash wool

Wool doesn't shrink from water – it shrinks from heat, temperature shocks and friction together. Remove those and a merino knit or wool coat lasts for years.

A typical label

Wash at 30 °C, very mild cycle Do not bleach Do not tumble dry Dry flat Iron on medium (up to 150 °C)Dry clean (P)

Always follow your garment's own label – it beats any general advice.

Washing

The 'Wool' cycle at 30 °C (or by hand in cool water), a wool detergent with lanolin.
Spin up to 600 rpm – wool needs no more.
Wool coats and tailoring are usually better at the cleaner (P symbol).

Drying

Lay flat and reshape. Hanging a wet knit stretches it.
Iron through a damp cloth on 2 dots, or steam – wool bounces back easily.

Common mistakes

Hot water plus rubbing – wool felts for good.
Drying on a radiator.
Washing too often: wool resists odours naturally; airing is often enough.

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Got the whole label?

Pick all its symbols and get the washer, dryer and iron settings in one place.

Decode the label Printable symbol chart →

01Can a shrunken wool sweater be saved?

Sometimes partly: soak it in lukewarm water with hair conditioner for 30 minutes, press out and gently stretch it while drying flat. Felted wool won't fully recover.