Wool is the wonder product that everyone needs in their homes and wardrobes. It’s a joy to own, use and wear, with its warmth, longevity, versatility, and super softness just some of the benefits those looking to invest in a great wool piece can look forward to. Wool makes a great gift for these very reasons.
As a self-confessed wool lover, American actress Anjelica Huston has been a lifelong supporter of the wool industry. She even keeps merino sheep!
Anjelica recently teamed up with The Woolmark Company to share some of her top tips for merino wool care. Here we share her advice to make wool care easier for you at home.
Remove any stain…
Wool is naturally stain-resistant thanks to its waxy coating. A simple machine wash, in accordance with the garment’s label, is usually enough to remove stains as a result. But should your wool garment stay stained, don’t despair.
Removing a stain comes down to what food or drink is the culprit. Butter, sauce or grease stains, for example, require different treatment than red wine, fruit or fruit juice stains. White spirit is a great investment for wool stain removal and easily eliminates stubborn butter, sauce, grease, chocolate, white coffee, tea, egg, or milk stains. Just dab the affected area. Milk and egg stains should be spot cleaned with diluted white vinegar to finish.
…even red wine and coffee!
Red wine, fruit, and fruit juice stains should be treated with 3 parts surgical spirit or rubbing alcohol to 1 part water. Again dab the affected area with the mixture and see the stain disappear.
Troublesome black coffee stains can also be removed with a mixture of alcohol and white vinegar. Simply soak a lint-free cloth in the solution and dab the affected area gently. Finish by dabbing with an absorbent cloth.
Get rid of unwanted pills
Pilling is a common problem with merino wool. Here The Woolmark Company explains how pilling is caused:
“Pilling (sometimes referred to as bobbling) is the formation of fuzzy balls on the surface of wool clothing, and often results in an unsightly or worn-out appearance. Pilling is caused by rubbing during wear and, although it can occur in any parts of the sweater, the most common areas are around the elbows, armpits, sleeves, belly, and the sides of the sweater where, during wear, the arms of the garment are constantly coming into contact with the body of the sweater.”
Reduce the risk of pilling or bobbling by washing your wool garment inside out. If pills still appear, they can be combed away or you can use a garment razor to remove them without damaging your wool product.
Store wool the right way
How you store your wool items can also reduce pilling. Avoid hanging wool items, instead, fold and gently store to ensure the garment retains its shape and avoids friction with other items. There’s also no need to iron merino wool as it’s naturally wrinkle-free. If you do want to iron the garment, however, use only medium heat with steam. For more wool care tips, read our handy guide to looking after your wool.