Q&A for How to Wash Merino Wool

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  • Question
    Does merino wool shrink when washed?
    Susan Stocker
    Green Cleaning Expert
    Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.
    Green Cleaning Expert
    Expert Answer
    It absolutely can. Wool is a highly unpredictable and it can shrink all the way from XL to infant size if you don't handle it correctly. Check the tag for cleaning instructions. Some wool needs to be dry cleaned, while other wools do just fine with wool soap. Some wool garments can handle other washing methods. It really depends on the specific garment.
  • Question
    What if it has shrunk from the washing machine?
    Community Answer
    For any clothing item this is a great fix! Fill a sink or bathtub with lukewarm water and add maybe 2 tablespoons of conditioner into the water. It might not dissolve all the way but it's okay. Soak the item in this solution for 20 minutes. Then, take it out and start stretching it by hand, gently. Then let it dry (don't wash it again). Once it's dry, you can wash it how you normally should. The conditioner loosens up the fibers in the fabric so that you can pull them apart and stretch it to its normal size.
  • Question
    Can I tumble dry a Marino wool duvet?
    Community Answer
    It's best not to, unless the duvet's care instructions specify that you can. The better option is to squeeze out any excess moisture and lay it flat to dry.
  • Question
    Is woolite ok to handwas marino wool sweaters
    Community Answer
    Yes, it should be fine. Just be sure to follow the usage guidelines on the packaging.
  • Question
    Can I wash my pure merino wool blankets?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. Hand-wash them in a bath tub or machine wash them on a warm, gentle cycle. (See the full instructions for each option above.) Be sure to check if there are any specific care instructions on the blankets' tags.
  • Question
    Can I use Dryel on Merino wool?
    Community Answer
    I have done this, but I used the bag and put it in the dryer for only 10 minutes at the lowest heat.
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