WoolWeenies Club

[xeney]

I have a question: I recently bought the Smartwool hoodie (Sagebrush, I think?) which is beautiful and comfortable and I love it. Problem: it says dry clean only! I did not notice when I bought it and just assumed it was washable like all Smartwool products.

Do I have to? I'm guessing yes, because it's felted. But this means I will probably give it away.

[Cataboo]

I have a question: I recently bought the Smartwool hoodie (Sagebrush, I think?) which is beautiful and comfortable and I love it. Problem: it says dry clean only! I did not notice when I bought it and just assumed it was washable like all Smartwool products.

Do I have to? I'm guessing yes, because it's felted. But this means I will probably give it away.

I think you can probably get away with washing it on gentle in cold water with woolite or similar, and then laying it flat to dry.

And if you're just going to give it away - it's not like you're really risking anything to try washing it like that.

It is wool (so it shouldn't smell), you are going to be wearing shirts underneath it, so you don't really have to wash it all that often.

[Crankin]

Last week while I was waiting for the owner to come in for my fit appointment, I was chatting with the mechanic about our wool mania. She said she couldn't find a Smartwool bra and she thought they had stopped making them. So we got on the Ibex site and voila, there it was, along with some other items she wanted.
I was so jealous when she said she gets a discount on Ibex! She said they sell some type of Ibex bike accessories in the store; not clothing. I was doubtful about this, but I felt like I had done a "mitzvah" (a good deed) for the day.

[xeney]

It is wool (so it shouldn't smell), you are going to be wearing shirts underneath it, so you don't really have to wash it all that often.

Alas. I have a toddler. My top layer is always covered in yogurt, applesauce, or snot. This was a dumb purchase.

But thank you for the washing ideas. Maybe I'll put it aside for a year or two.

[Grog]

Alas. I have a toddler. My top layer is always covered in yogurt, applesauce, or snot. This was a dumb purchase.

But thank you for the washing ideas. Maybe I'll put it aside for a year or two.

Don't forget to put little cedar balls with it, just in case the moths get to it before you have a chance to wear it again!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have a question: I recently bought the Smartwool hoodie (Sagebrush, I think?) which is beautiful and comfortable and I love it. Problem: it says dry clean only! I did not notice when I bought it and just assumed it was washable like all Smartwool products.

Do I have to? I'm guessing yes, because it's felted. But this means I will probably give it away.

Alas. I have a toddler. My top layer is always covered in yogurt, applesauce, or snot. This was a dumb purchase.

But thank you for the washing ideas. Maybe I'll put it aside for a year or two.

Xeney,
I would recommend to dry clean it, NOT wash it....because it's felted.
A friend of mine put her husband's Ibex loden (felted) wool jacket in the washer (!), no dryer...and it wound up completely ruined- shrunk in all the wrong directions and became hopeless for anyone to wear. She then noted after the fact that the label said dry clean only.
It's one thing to put merino pullovers, turtlenecks, baselayers, and socks in the wash, ....but not felted outerwear, loden vests, or jackets.

One good piece of news about your felted wool piece though- you'de be amazed at how food and spills come right off when you rub the wool with a damp sponge and/or rinse the spot, then dry it by blotting or rubbing with a clean dry washcloth. Dense wool is very good about getting the spots and spilled rubbed out- the food doesn't soak in so much like on cotton and poly.

[Cataboo]

I just checked my ibex switchback pullovers & my ibex vertigo jackets - Both are loden and I think are felted, the switchback description says it is and I'd say the vertigo looks more felted.

Anyways, the tags say "dry clean or hand wash"

I know the vertigo jacket has been through the washing machine without a problem because my mother ran it through once when I was visiting her. After I finished freaking, looked at the jacket and it was fine. I'm pretty sure I've washed the switchbacks in a machine before as well.

It may depend on how harsh your washing machine is?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Just so you know- Ibex no longer makes Switchback items specifically because they were shrinking and distorting badly when washed in the washing machine, even on gentle. People were complaining and sending them back too much. KnottedYet had one that was a total loss. Switchback items are very risky to throw in the washer. I have several- the half zip, the full zip, and the vest...but I treat them as outer wear and haven't needed to wash them yet. I will be dry cleaning those.
On the other hand, I have lots of other Ibex items I throw in the washer (gentle of course). My Shaks are real champs when it comes to the washing machine. I tend to fluff them half dry in a low setting dryer (gets the cat hair off) and then lay them out to finish drying.