Welcome to the Handmade, Washed & Worn series, where we explore how to wash, block, and store hand-knit and crochet projects. Whether you’re caring for a favorite sweater, a treasured shawl, or everyday accessories, these posts will help you keep your handmade items looking their best. In today’s installment, we’ll focus on : Wool Wash: What is it Good For?
Learning to care for handmade garments can feel like starting over in uncharted territory with new products and unfamiliar procedures.
Before you buy your first laundry product, keep in mind that animal fibers have different care needs than plant fibers. Today, we’ll focus on animal fibers like wool, alpaca, cashmere, silk, and mohair.
What I look for in A “Wool” Wash
Neither acidic nor alkaline, neutral PH cleansers allow surfactants to lift dirt and body oils without damaging your fabric.
I like wool cleansers that can be used for hand washing and machine washing. A product safe to use in the washing machine is an added layer of convenience.
What I Avoid in a “Wool” Wash
- Enzymes
- Protease, the enzyme in most “enzyme cleaners”, promises to remove protein stains, but protease will eat the protein that makes up your fiber, as well as the protein in the stain. Over time, your fabric will weaken and pill.
- Bleach
- Both chlorine bleach and oxygen bleach will damage animal fibers and fade the colors of your handmade garments.
- Powders
- Choose a liquid over a powdered cleanser. Specks of concentrated powder landing on your items can create faded spots and holes.
Products to Consider
Eucalan is a popular wool wash that doesn’t need to be rinsed out. The average price is $16 for 16.9 oz. One caveat with Eucalan is that if you are sensitive to lanolin, use a different wool wash.
Soak Laundry Soap is also a popular no-rinse option. Lanolin-free, Soak retails for about $18 for 12 oz.
Heritage Park Silk and Wool Laundry Detergent is a gentle, enzyme-free cleaner that’s appropriate for animal fibers. It retails at $24.99 for 32 oz.
The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo is another gentle, enzyme-free option. $30 will get you a 16oz bottle.
Although marketed as “wool-washes,” the products mentioned are safe and effective for most animal fibers: wool, silk, alpaca, mohair, and cashmere.
I’m sure there are many more detergent options to discover. These are just some of the ones that meet my criteria for a wool wash. I am not sponsored by any of these companies.
Let me know what you’ve tried in the comments.
Part 2 of the Handmade, Washed & Worn Series
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to read the next installment: To Block or Not To Block: When is Reblocking Necessary.
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