WoolWeenies Club

[pfunk12]

I apologize if this question has been posted previously. I did a search but didn't come up with any answers. I'm in the process (and nearly finished) of upgrading my wardrobe for the cold weather. After reading this thread, I decided to purchase a Smartwool base layer shirt. It arrived today - 2 minutes before my ride (karma! ). I loved it! It was comfortable and kept me really warm. I could almost feel it wicking the sweat away from my body. But...when I finished my ride and I took off my jacket, wow...what a smell! I just washed it and even after I took it out of the washer, it reeks. It is now hanging in my bathroom and the whole room smells. Is this common? Or is my nose ultra-sensitive?

[OakLeaf]

If it smells like wet wool, that's normal. It goes away when it's dry.

[GLC1968]

If it smells like wet wool, that's normal. It goes away when it's dry.

On a related note:

When we replaced all the carpet in our last home, we opted for the expensive real wool berber for the main downstairs room figuring that it was the most visible room and worth the splurge.

When we left the house empty and moved to Oregon, we steam cleaned that carpet before we left (on a Thursday). The house remained empty and closed up until Sunday when our realtor held an open house.

The report from the open house said that most buyers were turned off by the strong 'pet' smell in the living room. I was stunned - neither of our dogs had EVER messed in that room!

When he told me that it was so bad that the carpet was still wet, I realized what the problem was. I explained that it was a wool carpet and that wet wool smells like wet dog and that it would go away once dry. He immediately went over there and cracked the windows for a few days so that it would dry. The house actually sold to the next couple to look at the place.

I was so annoyed that 1) he didn't know quality wool carpet when he saw it and 2) that he assumed that we'd leave we dog pee on the carpet when we moved out and 3) that he didn't bother telling us about the smell that same day so that we could explain (and he could tell the open house people).

Stupid non-wool-weenie.

[lph]

Heheh. This reminded me of the, uh, characteristic, uh, aroma, in the drying rooms of the mountain chalets here. Entering a small hot room filled from floor to ceiling with wet wool that has been xc skied in all day is quite a kick in the head

[pfunk12]

The smell in my very small bathroom from one wet Smartwool shirt was almost...toxic. But I'm happy to report that the shirt is dry and now there is no smell. I can't wait to wear it again.

[OakLeaf]

You will learn to love that smell.


Today I got a compliment on my "vintage" Cortina jersey, some 22-24 years old. "That's worth some money," the guy said, "people are into that retro stuff now."

Really I am amazed at how the color has held up. It's still as bright, bright red (with white and blue accents) as it was the day I bought it.

[MommyBird]

My first attempt at wool was a pair of low cut Smart Wool footies this past June. No welting or itching. Loved the feel and bought a second pair. They quickly became my favorites.

Ventured a little further up my leg with two pair of SW cycling footies in October. The skin under the higher cuff is still happy.

Purchased two pair of merino dressy crew socks on Saturday. Wore a pair to church today. Still no welts or itching.

I feel ready to test out the torso area.