Answer
Dec 07, 2023 - 02:29 PM
Can the woolen long-underwear be washed in a washing machine?
If you have a European-style washer with a designated wool cycle, they can be safely washed. With organic wool, the more agitation, the more likely they will felt. Even the delicate cycle of typical American washers can be harsh on the wool, with the cold-water rinse.
With that said, the woolens do not need to be washed often. Even with daily wear, you can often go weeks without washing. Wool in its natural state contains lanolin – which gives the wool self-cleansing properties. It does not need to be washed prior to wearing for first time, nor after each wear. Even if the wool has become damp with sweat, just hang it over the back of a chair or doorknob overnight. The lanolin goes to work cleansing away odors and bacteria. In the morning, your woolen item will be fresh again.
For in between washings, your woolen item can be hung outdoors on a damp day. The wool will absorb the dampness and become fresh as it dries.
Natural wool is best washed by hand, in lukewarm water, with a wool-wash containing lanolin (we recommend LANACare Lanolin-Replenishing Soap or Kookaburra Wool Wash). Use just enough wool-wash to keep the water sudsy or follow directions on the wool-wash container. You can also add a squirt of your favorite shampoo or conditioner - which will add your own personal scent; hair conditioner will add softness.
Swoosh your woolens gently in the water, then let them soak for 15-30 minutes. Avoid too much agitation. Replace water with fresh lukewarm water to rinse (it’s okay if there are some suds left in the water & wool). Gently squeeze water out of wool. If you have only a couple items, roll them in a terry-cloth towel to remove excess water. For larger items or many being washed at once, we recommend placing them in the washer on spin cycle to remove excess water.
Even with gentle hand-washing, the woolen might appear to have shrunk by length. The wet items can easily be stretched, particularly by length, to regain their size and form. Gather and grasp the garment at each end and pull to stretch by length. It will regain its original length and become more form-fitting. Place the garment flat or hang to air-dry or near mild heat source (for example, on top of a running dryer). Some slight felting may occur over time, despite following washing instructions. Stretching the wool by length while wet, helps regain original size.
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Open Apr 18, 2023 - 03:01 PM
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