So warm and so soft, wool can be a real challenge when it comes to maintenance! But there is no need to carry various chemical products that clutter your cupboards and empty your wallet. Our grandmothers developed various techniques with the means at hand. We give you 5 tips that are as funny as they are effective.
Tip #1: A pillowcase to protect them in the washing machine
Sheep’s wool can be machine washed, provided it is at 30°C and on delicate mode. To avoid damaging your clothes, you can slip them into a pillowcase or mesh. You should also avoid washing it too often.
Be careful, however: fragile wools (mohair, angora, cashmere) cannot be machine washed, but can be washed by hand and cold. For your cashmere sweater, read the care tips in this article.
Tip #2: Replace laundry detergent with shampoo
You should avoid washing wool with conventional detergent, as this risks damaging it. When washing by hand (always at 30°C maximum), you can then replace classic detergent with special wool detergent, or even soap flakes or, better, shampoo diluted in cold water. It’s the art of recycling! Because after all, why spend more on additional products when you just need to use what you have on hand? Most products are versatile, there is no need to throw away or accumulate various items. Let’s get back to basics for a simpler life, a clear mind and a lot of savings!
Tip #3: A rolling pin for drying
A rolling pin is a very practical tool for making pies, knocking out a thief or… drying your favorite wool sweater! Once your sweater has been gently washed by hand, do not twist it to wring it out.
Our tip: first blot it with a terry towel, then spread it between two towels and run the rolling pin over it. It can now be air dried, flat on another towel.
Tip #4: Defelt the wool with your cassoulet
You hadn’t yet discovered our site, so you washed your sweater in too hot water and the wool felted? Don’t panic! An improbable but effective tip for dethatching is: the cooking water from the white beans. So the next time you make a cassoulet for the whole family, keep the cooking water from the white beans, let it cool and immerse your clothes in it. Every quarter of an hour, stretch the wool between your fingers. Then rinse with clean water and add a cup of white vinegar to the last rinse water. Then blot with the tip above.
Tip #5: An aspirin tablet to remove blood stains
You’ve injured yourself and your wool sweater is stained with blood, which can be a nightmare to clean. The solution: immerse everything in water where you have dissolved an aspirin tablet. Neither seen nor known.