CARING FOR YOUR WOOL GUIDE
WOOL GARMENTS
Inside this Guide you will find the steps to make caring for your woolens easy. You can wash, dry and iron your woolens at home with the confidence that Woolmark Woolen Care products are tested and approved for their performance in caring for wool.
UNDERSTANDING CARE LABELING:
There are 4 basic laundering options:
1. DRY CLEAN ONLY: Garments with this instruction should be taken to a professional dry cleaner for laundering.
2. HAND WASH: Garments with this instruction should be washed by hand using luke warm water and a gentle detergent.
3. MACHINE WASHABLE: Garments with this instruction are able to be washed in domestic washing machines. It’s best to use a cycle for “wool” or “delicates” for these garments.
4. TOTAL EASY CARE/MACHINE WASH & TUMBLE DRY: These garments are able to be safely machine washed, and then tumble dried on a low temperature setting.
WOOLMARK APPAREL CARE: (Quality Care for Quality Wool)
WASHING MACHINES AND TUMBLE DRYERS: The Woolmark Company tests and approves the wool cycles on washing machines and tumble driers. Cycles which carry the Woolmark Apparel Care logo have been tested to assess their ability to wash wool textiles effectively without causing felting shrinkage. Washing machine cycles using the Woolmark logo can safely wash garments which are labelled as “machine washable”.
TUMBLE DRYERS: Tumble drier cycles with the same logo can safely dry garments labelled as “total easy care” or “tumble dry”.
IRONS: The Woolmark Company also tests the wool cycles on irons. These products are checked for their performance in removing wrinkles and inserting creases and pleats while making sure they don’t cause any permanent colour change to pure wool textiles.
DETERGENTS: The Woolmark Company tests and approves detergents and other laundry products whic are suitable for the home laundering of wool textiles. Look for the Woolmark Apparel Care logo on detergents to be sure you are using a suitable detergent. To find a list of approved detergents in your country, please contact The Woolmark Company or visit the website at www.woolmark.com
GENERAL CARE INSTRUCTIONS:
Irrespective of the method, it is recommended that garments are turned inside out for laundering. This will prolong the “as new” surface appearance of the garment.
To avoid color “bleeding” separate dark and pale colors before laundering. Also keep dark and light colors separate when they are wet.
BRUSHING: For woven garments only. Using a soft garment brush, brush garments lengthwise after wearing to remove surface soil that might become stains later on. Dust and dirt can dull the appearance of wool fabrics.
AIRING: To remove cigarette or food odours, lay wool garments flat on a bed or towel for an hour. Woven garments may be hung in fresh air on a suitable hanger.
HANG WOVENS, FOLD KNITS: Woven wool garments should be hung on shaped or padded coat hangers. Knitted garments should be gently folded and stored in drawers.
RESTING: Rest wool garments for 24 hours before wearing again. This gives the natural resilience and spring in the wool fibre time to recover and return to its original shape.
REFRESHING: Wool garments can be refreshed after unpacking or wearing by hanging them in a steamy bathroom. Moisture from the steam will remove wrinkles.
DRY AWAY FROM DIRECT SUNLIGHT OR HEAT: If wool gets wet, dry the garment at room temperature, away from direct sunlight or heat.
IRONING: Any wool garments do not require ironing, but very smooth fabrics may look better if pressed. Always use steam when pressing wool. Set your iron on the wool setting and avoid ironing the fabric when it’s totally dry.
LIGHTWEIGHT FABRIC CARE: Lighter wool fabrics may take a little longer to shed their creases. Remove wrinkles by ironing with a damp cloth or steam iron on a warm iron/dot 2 setting.
LONG-TERM STORAGE: Since food stains and body oils attract moths, you should ensure your wool garment is clean before packing it away in airtight bags or containers. Ideally use a Woolmark endorsed moth repellent but do not place directly on the garment.
TREATING STAINS:If you decide to treat the stain yourself, the following provides some guidance. All safety precautions recommended by chemical suppliers should be followed.
When treating stains, it is important to ensure they are fully removed before ironing. The heat from ironing can make a stain permanent.
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS: Dab gently with an absorbent, lint free cloth to remove as much excess liquid as possible. Sponge the area sparingly with a mixture of warm water and surgical spirit or rubbing alcohol in equal parts.
BLACK COFFEE: Mix alcohol and white vinegar in equal parts, soak a lint free cloth in the solution and lightly dab the stained area before pressing gently with an absorbent cloth.
BLOOD: Remove excess blood immediately with a damp sponge, then gently dab the area using undiluted white vinegar followed by cold water.
BUTTER / GREASE / SAUCES: If a greasy mark forms, firstly scrape the surface of the stain with a spoon or knife to remove any excess oil. Then soak a lint free cloth in proprietary grease remover or white spirit and gently dab the area.
CHOCOLATE / WHITE COFFEE / TEE: Dab gently around the edge of the stain with a cloth soaked in white spirit before following instructions for black coffee.
EGG/MILK: Dab gently with a lint free cloth soaked in white spirit. Repeat the action with a cloth soaked in diluted white vinegar.
FRUIT / FRUIT JUICE / RED WINE: Immediately dab the stain with a mixture of surgical spirit or rubbing alcohol and water (3:1 ratio).
GRASS: Apply soap very carefully (using a mild tablet soap or flakes) or dab gently with a lint free cloth soaked in surgical spirit or rubbing alcohol.
INK / BALLPOINT PEN: Dab gently with a lint free cloth soaked in white spirit. Repeat the action with a cloth soaked in diluted white vinegar or surgical spirit or rubbing alcohol.