Nothing quite compares to the warmth and comfort of a pure wool blanket. Whether your fibre of choice is Merino wool, baby alpaca wool or pure new wool, owning and using a wool blanket is an experience that can, and should be, relished all year round – even during our great British ‘summer’!
As a homeware well known and much loved for its durability, natural insulation and breathability, a wool blanket is the perfect addition to any space. Yet, maintaining the pristine condition of your favourite wool blanket isn’t easy without the right knowledge. When taking care of wool, there are rules that you should follow and some you should never break.
Here we answer a wool care question we hear A LOT – can you use fabric softener on a wool blanket?
The short answer
There is a common misconception that fabric softeners soften all fabrics. As fabric care scientist Sammy Wang explains however, this is simply not the case:
“Fabric softener works best on fibers that are more likely to experience damage in a regular wash cycle – namely natural fibers. Materials such as cotton and linen absorb a lot of water, allowing the swollen fibers to become damaged more easily in the machine. This results in pilling, stretching, and fading.”
Like linen and cotton, fabric softener and wool just don’t mix. Yes, taking care of your beloved wool blanket actually means avoiding the use of softeners to preserve all the key characteristics and benefits that this incredible natural fibre is known for.
A slightly lengthier explanation
Wool’s uniquely insulating, moisture-wicking, breathable and durable properties can so easily be compromised without the correct care.
While designed to make fabrics feel softer and smell pleasant, the coating of chemicals that softeners leave behind can damage delicate wool fibres. Unlike synthetic materials, that benefit from this coating, wool has a very different reaction. The result is a loss of natural goodness, decreased breathability, reduced comfort, and a residue build-up that’ll leave your wool blankets not soft but greasy or sticky.
The chemicals in fabric softeners can also weaken wool fibres. Over time, the blanket may become more prone to pilling, thinning, and general wear and tear.
Here’s how to soften – the right way!
It is possible to soften and take care of your beloved wool blankets without harsh chemicals, and it’s not as difficult as you imagine.
One of the joys of wool blankets is the lack of maintenance they need, with a simple spot clean and regular deodorise working wonders for your favourite wool accessories. If you do need a more thorough clean, most wool blankets can be washed using a gentle machine cycle with cold water and a wool-friendly detergent.
While machine washing is great, tumble drying is not. Wool is particularly sensitive to heat, which can cause it to shrink or felt. Air drying your blanket flat, well away from direct sunlight or heat, and reshaping if necessary, is therefore what we’d advise.
To rescue a wool blanket that is now more scratchy than soft, raid your kitchen cupboards or bathroom. A brief, 15-minute soak in cold water and white vinegar, followed by a gentle massage with hair conditioner, is the best way to restore softness. Rinse well after following these steps, and roll the blanket up to squeeze out the excess water without wringing.
Is your wool blanket past its prime or are you simply looking to expand your collection of woolly wonders? Shop our cosy blankets today for all the inspiration you need.