One of the best things about the winter season is enjoying that warm hug from your favourite woolly jumper, knitted socks or thick wool blankets in the face of plummeting temperatures.
As one of the longest lasting staples in many people’s wardrobes, your winter woolly is certain to be with you for years to come.
But how much wear can you expect from your favourite woolly jumper? And how exactly can you make your favourite piece of knitwear last a lifetime or even longer?
Does wool really last a lifetime?
In a world of disposable fashion, wool items no doubt last a lot longer than other items in your wardrobe. This superior, natural fibre after all unlocks many benefits, one of which is durability.
Wool is extremely easy to take care of. Unlike other fibres, it doesn’t need washing as frequently due to its natural odour resistance, a quality that makes wool items like your favourite jumper last even longer.
After you’ve finished with your woolly jumper, it isn’t likely to end up on the scrap heap either due to its resilience as Woolmark’s Global Wardrobe Study revealed:
“Wool provides the global apparel industry with the most reused and recyclable fibre, of the common apparel fibre types. A life long-lived – wool garments are typically kept for a long time and have a high emotional value. Donations in the UK suggest a high donation rate for wool, 3x more than wool’s share of new material use.”
Even if donation isn’t an option, wool is more likely to be repaired or recycled and given a new life than sent to landfill to biodegrade. Thanks to wearers choosing to reuse, repair or recycle, knitwear and other wool items tend to have a lengthy lifespan that lasts beyond a lifetime.
How can I make my knitwear last even longer?
Taking care of your knitwear is simpler than you think and will help to make your favourite winter woollies last even longer. As we mentioned wool doesn’t need to be washed frequently, with a gentle spot clean and regular airing enough to keep knitwear fresh and clean.
If you do need to wash your woollies, refer to the label for instructions. We’d recommend sticking to a machine wash cycle that’s specifically made for wool or delicates and is no more than 30 degrees. If you prefer to hand wash, do so in tepid water and soak for 30 minutes before rinsing well. Finish by pressing out the water, not wringing, before drying flat.
Some items are dry clean only and whilst all wool is washable, you may prefer to have more delicate items washed by a professional.
What other wool care secrets are worth sharing?
Specialist wool care products are great investments for taking care of those truly treasured staples. Our collaboration with Steamery means you can discover a number of fantastic wool care products to make caring for wool simple and get the very best from your garments.
Although wool can be called upon all year round, some of your wool items are likely to be seasonal. How you store wool when it’s not in use will ensure knitwear stays in great shape and is ready to wear whenever you need it. Utilising storage bags and only stowing clean items are just some of the tips you’ll find in our comprehensive wool storage guide.
Investing in high quality wool products is another must for those wishing to enjoy wool for the long haul. Here at the House of So Cosy, you’ll find stunning, handcrafted and all-natural wool pieces for your home and wardrobe. Shop our collection right here.
Images: Arkhipenko Olga / Shutterstock.com, MashimaraPhoto / Shutterstock.com