Wool Wash

Analisa Malone

Wool has a scaled structure, a bit like tiny fish scales along each fibre. Throw it in the machine with heat and agitation and those scales lock together for good. That's felting, and once it's happened, there's no undoing it. A gentle hand wash with a mild soap gets it properly clean without any of that drama.

Here's the bit most people don't realise: wool is naturally odour- and dirt-resistant. A quick air between wears often does more for a jumper than another wash ever could. Less washing, less wear on the fibres, more life in your favourite pieces.

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The Recipe

As required Makes / Yield
Instant Time

Ingredients

  • Castile soap
    A small squirt or approx. 1 teaspoon per basin
  • Lukewarm water
    Enough to fill a basin, sink or tub
  • Optional: Pure lanolin
    Pea-sized amount, for re-waterproofing wool

Method

  1. Fill a basin, sink or tub with lukewarm water. Skip the hot tap, it's not your friend here.
  2. Add the castile soap and mix through until dissolved.
  3. Submerge the item and gently press the water through the fabric. No rubbing, no twisting, no wringing, just a gentle press.
  4. Let it sit for a few minutes, then lift out.
  5. Rinse thoroughly in cold water until it runs clear.
  6. Press out the excess water (still no wringing) and roll it in a clean towel to draw out more moisture before drying.

Good to know

How do I care for the fabric?
  • Always check garment care labels
  • Avoid hot water
  • Use minimal agitation
  • Test first if you're washing an unfamiliar fabric
How should I dry it?
  • Lay flat on a clean, dry towel rather than hanging. Wet wool stretches under its own weight, and it won't spring back
  • Gently reshape the garment while it's still damp, this is your only chance
  • Keep it out of direct sun and away from heaters, both will punish the fibres
  • If it's still soggy, roll it in a fresh dry towel to speed things along without reaching for heat
What is re-lanolising, and do I need to do it?

Lanolin is the natural wax sheep produce in their own wool, and it's the very same ingredient in nipple cream and balm. Every wash strips a little of it away, and that wax is what keeps wool water-resistant and holding its shape. You don't need to do this often — think of it as an occasional top-up for wool that's lost its bounce, like a nappy cover that's stopped repelling or a jumper that's gone a bit flat.

  1. Dissolve a pea-sized amount of pure lanolin in a little hot water with a touch of castile soap, stirring until it goes milky. This emulsifies the lanolin so it'll actually mix into water instead of just floating there.
  2. Top up with more water until it's a comfortable washing temperature.
  3. Submerge the item and let it soak rather than wash it — this one's about soaking, not scrubbing.
  4. Press out the excess water gently and lay flat to dry, same as above.
How long does the soap last, and how should I store it?

Kept well, castile soap will happily last up to 2 years. An amber glass jar is your best bet, it blocks the UV rays that break the soap down over time.

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