WoolWeenies Club

[Catrin]

Something happened, I am unsure what or when...but I realized as I was riding home this afternoon from my ride just how much wool I was wearing! Brand new Smartwool socks, Smartwool base layer, new Smartwool full-zip long-sleeve jersey....and I've some shorts on the way thanks to Redhodie! You ladies are quite the enablers

I also must say that I was perfectly comfy riding with those layers and just had on a Cannondale wind-breaker convertible nylon jacket on - and it was a windy 51 degrees or so. In the past I've been rather cool in those same conditions when I just had on the wool base layer and a non-wool jersey over it with a thermal jacket.

I've a question about my new Smartwool jersey. Here it is, though I didn't get it from TE which is where I snagged this photo - my LBS was kind enough to sell it to me at a 50% discount



The tag that comes with it says that it is "washer and dryer friendly". Should I trust that? I've no problem putting my Smartwool into a gentle cycle with cold water - but in the dryer Am I overly-concerned?

[Biciclista]

I have put smart wool in the dryer, but I would rather not. It didn't hurt, but the heat probably will shorten the life of the fabric, and even at 1/2 price i bet it wasn't cheap.

[Catrin]

I have put smart wool in the dryer, but I would rather not. It didn't hurt, but the heat probably will shorten the life of the fabric, and even at 1/2 price i bet it wasn't cheap.

Thank you, that is what I was thinking but wanted to check. No, at half price it was still far from cheap. Couldn't resist it though - it is beautiful and will last me a very long time. No more cycling clothes purchases until the bike is home but this one was a good one as I figured it would be good to have ONE thing that actual fit and wasn't 2 sizes too big

[malkin]

I don't put wool in the dryer for the usual reasons and because I like the sheepy smell and I like touching it as I walk by.

You can wash in warm water, but don't agitate while it is wet.

[Catrin]

I don't put wool in the dryer for the usual reasons and because I like the sheepy smell and I like touching it as I walk by.

You can wash in warm water, but don't agitate while it is wet.

I've always sent it through the full cycle, though on cold...I didn't know that was dangerous, thanks!

[malkin]

Wool is such cool stuff--It has sort of scales on the outside of each fiber. Warm water opens them up and if they are agitated while the scales are open then the fibers will enmesh with each other. From our perspective this is felting.

If you get the wool hot but don't slosh it around then the scales just go back where they were without hooking up with their neighbors.

To sum up: Higher temps are ok. Higher temps + agitation may cause felting.

Some wool is treated chemically to change the structure, but with such a pretty jersey, why risk it?

[Catrin]

Wool is such cool stuff--It has sort of scales on the outside of each fiber. Warm water opens them up and if they are agitated while the scales are open then the fibers will enmesh with each other. From our perspective this is felting.

If you get the wool hot but don't slosh it around then the scales just go back where they were without hooking up with their neighbors.

To sum up: Higher temps are ok. Higher temps + agitation may cause felting.

Some wool is treated chemically to change the structure, but with such a pretty jersey, why risk it?

Ahhhh, ok. So if stick with the cold water then it is safe to send it through the full cycle? I am just afraid that if I try to hand-wash it that I won't get enough water out and bad things will happen....my hands are quite weak due to arthritis.

Of course, for now at least, it isn't touching my skin so I won't need to wash it every time I wear it...