WoolWeenies Club

[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...

[Becky]

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...

I don't wash my wool stuff every time I wear it, skin contact or not. As long as it doesn't smell once it's dry, it's ok for another wearing IMO.

[OakLeaf]

I haven't been able to find flat dryers in stores for several years now. The ones I've linked to work fine, but unfortunately, on the last batch I got, the mesh top is actually made for a smaller base, so it pulls the legs out of alignment and they can't be stacked.

Every wool weenie needs this accessory.

[malkin]

I use a folding wood drying rack sort of like this:
http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEUQ8gIwAg#

Stuff can be organized to drape over 1,2,3, or 4 bars depending on size and weight and how much else there is to hang up.

I have 3 of them.