Caring for wool

Nothing keeps you warmer in the frigid winter weather than wool. To keep your wool sweaters, pants, suits and other garments looking and feeling great for many winters to come, here are a few care tips. 

Between Cleanings

• Brush your garments frequently with a soft but firm bristled brush to remove the dust that collects between the fibers.
• Hang your wool clothes where they can breathe. Wool needs air to help it spring back into shape. 
• Give your wool garments a 3 day rest after wearing them. This will help them shed wrinkles and allow the garment to regain its original shape. This rest will help avoid dry cleaning as often and keep your garment feeling new much longer.

Storing Wool

• Store your wool clothing carefully. Suit jackets should be hung on good hangers that support the shoulders well and allow the jacket to drape without any creases. 
• Do not squash your clothing in your closet, give it breathing room and don't enclose your wool garments in bags that do not breathe. You may cover the shoulders with a plastic covering, where most dust accumulates, but be sure your garment can breathe.

Spot Cleaning
Gently spot clean any small stains with a little warm water and/or a touch of gentle soap on a wet wash cloth. Blot the soap out with the same wash cloth, always using very minimal gentle action. You may use a spot cleaning agent but ensure the instructions recommend its use on your type of fabric as well as the stain in question. Always test a spot remover on a piece of the fabric which is not in a visible location.

Dry Cleaning
While it is important to professionally dry clean your wool garments when needed, do not overdo it or substitute a dry cleaning when a pressing will serve your needs. Dry cleaning will age your garment over time and can, if overdone, break down the fusing used in most of today's suits. 

It is important that all garments are dry cleaned in accordance with the garment care label. Some wool items must only be hand-washed. Improper cleaning can shrink a garment or parts of it, can discolor or dissolve fibers and can render your garments dirtier rather than cleaner. Be careful to read all garment care instructions before washing them yourself or taking them to the dry cleaner.