How to Care for Wool Knitwear, Robes and Throws at Home

Quick answer

Wash wool knitwear by hand in cool water with a pH-neutral wool detergent, then dry it flat on a towel away from direct heat. Treat wool throws and blankets the same way, but spot-clean first and air them often. Dry crepe wool trousers by hanging them on a padded hanger to drip-dry, not in a tumble dryer. Store cashmere cardigans folded, not hung, to protect the shoulder shape.

Why wool needs a different washing routine

Wool fibres have a scaly outer layer that opens and locks together when exposed to heat, agitation and alkaline soap. That is what causes shrinkage, felting and the rough, matted surface you sometimes see after a hot wash. A pH-neutral detergent keeps the scales smooth, and cool water plus minimal movement stops them from locking. If a care label says dry clean only, follow it; some tailored wool garments are constructed with interlining or finishes that home washing can distort.

Before any full wash, test a hidden area with a damp white cloth and a drop of detergent. If colour transfers to the cloth, stop and book a specialist clean instead.

How to wash wool knitwear and cashmere cardigans

Fill a basin with cool water and add a capful of wool detergent. Submerge the knitwear and let it soak for five to ten minutes. Press the water gently through the garment with your palms; do not rub, wring or twist. Rinse in clean cool water of the same temperature, then lift the garment with both hands supporting its weight. Roll it in a clean towel and press down to remove excess water. Reshape it on a dry towel and leave it flat to dry, turning it once. Never hang a wet knit; the weight of the water will stretch the shoulders and hem.

Caring for wool throws and blankets

Throws and blankets collect dust, skin oils and pet hair long before they look dirty. Air them outdoors in indirect light for a few hours every couple of months, and spot-clean spills immediately with a damp cloth and a little wool detergent. For a full wash, use a front-loading machine on a wool or delicate cycle at 30°C or lower, with a low spin speed, or hand-wash in a bathtub if the throw is oversized. Dry flat over a clothes airer or two parallel rails so the weight is supported evenly. Avoid fabric softener; it coats the fibres and reduces the natural warmth and breathability of wool.

If a throw has a decorative fringe or a loose weave, hand washing is safer than machine washing because the drum action can pull the structure out of shape.

Drying and storing tailored wool trousers

Crepe wool trousers should not go in a tumble dryer. After wearing, hang them on a padded hanger with clips or a trouser bar and let them air for a day before putting them away. For a refresh between wears, hang them in a steamy bathroom; the moisture relaxes creases without direct heat. If they need a deeper clean, follow the care label, which for tailored wool is usually dry clean. Press with a cool iron and a pressing cloth if needed, working with the direction of the weave rather than against it.

Store trousers folded along the crease or hung by the waistband. Avoid hanging them by the cuffs for long periods, as this can stretch the hem.

Preventing pilling on wool and cashmere

Pilling is not a sign of poor quality; it is loose fibre ends working their way to the surface through friction. Underarm areas, cuffs and the spots where a cardigan rubs against a bag pill first. Reduce friction by leaving a day between wears, turning knitwear inside out before washing, and avoiding rough textures like Velcro or heavy canvas against the wool. Remove existing pills with a cashmere comb or a small fabric shaver used lightly in one direction. Do not pull pills off with your fingers, as this drags more fibre loose.

If pilling keeps returning in the same place, the cause is usually mechanical rather than a washing mistake. Change what the garment rubs against rather than washing it more often.

When to stop and choose another option

Stop home washing and use a specialist dry cleaner if the care label says dry clean only, if the garment has a lining or structured shoulders, if the colour bleeds on the test patch, or if the item has sentimental or high replacement value. For heavily soiled blankets, a professional clean is often cheaper than replacing a felted throw. If a wool garment has already shrunk or felted, do not try to stretch it back; the fibre structure has changed and further washing will make it worse.

For everyday freshness, airing and spot-cleaning will carry most wool items between professional cleans. Wash less often, and the wool will last longer.

Wool care diagnosis: match the symptom to the cause

• Garment feels stiff or matted after washing: The fibres have felted from heat, agitation or an alkaline detergent. Do not rewash in an attempt to soften it. For mild cases, soak in cool water with a wool conditioner, then dry flat. For heavy felting, the change is permanent. Prevention is the only reliable fix: cool water, pH-neutral detergent, no wringing.
• Pills appear under the arms or where a bag rubs: Friction is pulling loose fibre ends to the surface. Remove pills with a cashmere comb and rest the garment for a day between wears. Check what it rubs against, such as a rough coat lining or a shoulder strap. If pills return in the same spot, change the friction source rather than washing more often.
• A throw or blanket smells musty but looks clean: Damp storage or a poorly ventilated cupboard is the cause. Air the throw outdoors in indirect light for a few hours, then store it folded in a breathable cotton bag. Avoid sealed plastic, which traps moisture. If the smell persists after airing, wash according to the care label or use a specialist clean.
• Crepe wool trousers have lost their crease or drape: The high-twist wool has relaxed through wear. Hang the trousers on a padded hanger in a steamy bathroom to let the fibres recover. Press with a cool iron and a pressing cloth if needed. Do not tumble dry or over-wash tailored wool; airing and steaming should be your default.

Product facts that affect care

• Crepe Wool Palazzo Trouser: The Crepe Wool Palazzo Trouser is made from responsibly sourced wool with a high-twist weave and is crafted in England. High-twist wool holds its drape and resists creasing, so these trousers need airing and steaming rather than frequent washing. Follow the care label, which for tailored wool is usually dry clean.
• Granite Throw: The Granite Throw is made from 87% baby alpaca and 13% silk, using undyed fibres in an oversized check design. Alpaca and silk are sensitive to heat and agitation. Hand wash or use a wool cycle at 30°C or lower, and dry flat to protect the soft handfeel and the undyed colourway.