Wool care depends heavily on the garment's care claim. Some wool garments are machine washable, some are hand-wash-only, and others are dry-clean-only.
For washable wool, gentle agitation, a suitable wool detergent and supported drying help protect shape. Knitwear is commonly dried flat, while direct heat and unapproved tumble drying should be avoided.
The fiber profile explains common risks. The sewn-in care instructions for your actual garment override any generic fiber-level guidance.
Care considerations
care label
Wash wool only by the method allowed on the garment's care label; some wool is machine washable, some is hand wash, and some is dry-clean-only.
Woolmark and FTC both emphasize product-specific care instructions.
Watch for: Ignoring the care claim can cause irreversible felting, shrinkage or distortion.
wash
When the label permits machine washing, use a wool/delicate cycle or another low-agitation cycle permitted by the label, with a suitable wool detergent.
Woolmark recommends a wool cycle or a cold/delicate alternative for machine-washable wool.
Watch for: Regular high-agitation washing can felt or distort some wool garments.
dry
After washing, support wool knitwear and dry it flat unless the care label explicitly permits tumble drying.
Woolmark recommends flat drying sweaters and avoiding direct heat.
Watch for: Hanging wet knitwear can stretch it; direct heat can damage wool.
heat
Keep wool away from radiators, strong direct heat and unapproved tumble-dryer settings.
Drying method is part of the garment-specific care claim.
Watch for: Direct heat can alter shape, texture or color.