How to Care for Wool Sweaters

How do I wash my woollen jumper?

Our jumpers and cardigans are made from 100% camel wool or yak wool. Thanks to the high wool content and the natural properties of lanolin, the wool jumpers and cardigans from steppenstrolch almost never need washing.

Intact wool fibres are naturally antibacterial and self-cleaning. Lanolin, the natural wax found in wool, gives the fibres their dirt- and water-repellent properties. As a result, dirt and odours usually do not penetrate the fibres at all. In and of itself, wool does not need to be washed. It is the contrary, frequent washing breaks down the natural lanolin layer and stresses the fibres and their protective cuticle. If this is damaged, the wool becomes matted. That is why to wash your woollens as infrequently as possible. Heavy soiling can be gently brushed off, and giving the garments a good airing is often enough to freshen them up.

 

If your jumper is very dirty, you can wash it by hand. Use a gentle wool detergent or mild shampoo, which you should dissolve in lukewarm water in a bowl that is as wide as possible. The water should not be hotter than 30 °C, as lanolin melts at higher temperatures. Then soak your jumper for a maximum of 30 minutes. Soaking for too long can cause the fabric to felt. Do not rub, knead or wring the wool. Instead, wash it using gentle pressing motions. Then rinse the jumper thoroughly in lukewarm water and gently squeeze out the water. Place the jumper on a dry towel and roll it up carefully to absorb any excess moisture. If the jumper looks slightly misshapen, you can stretch it out while it is still damp, first widthways and then lengthways. Then place the towel on a clothes horse and leave the jumper to dry flat on top of it so that it retains its shape.

How can I make my woollen jumper softer?

When hand-washing your jumper, you can use a special wool conditioner that has a moisturising effect to make the wool softer. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of lanolin (wool grease, available from a chemist, for example) to lukewarm water and soak the jumper in it. The lanolin restores the wool’s natural protective layer and softness. After the lanolin treatment, the jumper does not need to be rinsed out.

Lay the jumper flat on a towel to dry so that it retains its shape.

What should you do if your woollen jumper has stretched out of shape?

If you feel that your woollen jumper or cardigan has become too big or has stretched out of shape, a gentle hand wash may help (see How do I wash my woollen jumper?). Washing it should help it regain its original shape.

Here´s a great tip: Wool loves snow, and if you leave your gloves out in the snow overnight, they’ll be almost as good as new once they’ve dried in the fresh air.

Can I put my woollen jumper in the tumble dryer?

No. Under no circumstances should woollen garments be put in the tumble dryer! They can shrink and become matted. When wet, woollen fabrics can lose their shape quickly, so they should be dried flat. For example, on a towel placed on a drying rack or, in winter, next to a radiator.