Wool is one of nature’s most remarkable fibres. Soft, breathable, temperature regulating, and naturally durable, it is designed to be worn and loved for many years. With the proper care, merino wool fleece requires very little washing and is extremely long-lasting.
At MamaOwl, we encourage caring for wool as gently and naturally as possible. Below is our advice for looking after your wool fleece garments.
Air Between Wears
One of the wonders of wool is that it does not need washing all that often. Wool fibres have natural self-cleaning properties and are rather resistant to dirt and odour. After wearing, simply hang your garment outside in fresh air to refresh naturally. You can also lightly mist it with fresh water and let nature do the work for you.
Spot cleaning is often enough for small marks or spills and can help avoid unnecessary full washes.
Wash Sparingly
The general rule with wool is to wash it as little as possible. Regular washing wears down fibres over time and can shorten the life of a garment. When washing is needed, we advise washing gently by hand in cool water. It is important that the water stays at a consistent temperature throughout both washing and rinsing, as sudden temperature changes can shock the wool and cause shrinkage.
Do not leave the garment sitting in water, as the fibres can swell and become more susceptible to felting.
Although some care labels may state machine washing is suitable, we do not advise machine washing wool fleece garments. Washing machines in the country of origin are often programmed differently to those used elsewhere, and we have noticed issues even when using wool wash programmes.
Use a Dedicated Wool Detergent
Always use a dedicated wool detergent or a gentle natural or organic baby shampoo. Regular laundry detergents can be too harsh for wool fibres and may damage the softness and structure of the garment over time.
Avoid Soaking, Wringing & Heat
Wool should never be wrung, twisted, spun, tumble dried, or dried on a radiator. These processes can flatten the fleece, harden the fibres, cause felting, or permanently distort the shape of the garment.
After washing and to dry, gently roll the garment in a towel to remove excess water. Then re-shape while damp by carefully pulling lengthwise back into shape if needed.
Lay Flat to Dry
Once reshaped, lay the garment flat on top of a towel or drying rack to dry naturally. Avoid hanging while wet, as this can stretch and distort the fibres.