Washing

• Hand wash only, in cold or lukewarm water : wool fibres are sensitive to heat and agitation, machine washing (even on a wool cycle) can cause felting and shrinkage.
• Use a wool-specific detergent : rather than standard laundry detergent, which can strip the wool's natural lanolin and cause it to dry out or become scratchy.
• Never wring, twist or rub the wool : gently submerge, press the water through, and let it soak for 10–15 minutes.
• Rinse gently in water of the same temperature : a sudden change in water temperature is one of the main causes of accidental felting.
• How often to wash : wool is naturally odour- and dirt-resistant, so most pieces only need washing occasionally, airing a garment out between wears is often enough.

Drying

• Never tumble dry and never hang wet wool to dry : the weight of the water will stretch the garment out of shape.
• Lay flat on a clean towel : gently reshape the piece to its original dimensions and roll the towel to squeeze out excess water before laying flat again to air dry.
• Keep out of direct sunlight and away from radiators or direct heat : can cause fading (especially important for our natural, undyed shades) and over-drying.

Storage

• Fold, don't hang : hanging knitwear causes it to stretch and lose its shape over time.
• Store in a breathable cotton garment bag : not sealed plastic, to let the wool breathe.
• Use natural moth deterrents : including cedar blocks or lavender sachets, wool is a natural fibre and can attract moths, especially in storage.
• Make sure garments are clean before long-term storage : moths are drawn to natural oils and residue on worn wool, not clean wool itself.

Pilling

• Occasional pilling is a natural characteristic of wool, caused by friction during normal wear, and isn't a sign of poor quality.
• Gently remove pills with a wool comb or fabric shaver, brushing in one direction only.