Woolen clothing can be thick and heavy to protect you from the elements or light as a feather to allow your skin to breathe. Knitted or woven from natural sheep’s fleece, wool fibers are durable, versatile and easy to care for. The most important elements in wool care are washing and drying temperatures.

We spoke to a laundry expert for the best advice on what water temperature is safe for washing wool. Learn how to keep your wool socks, sweaters and jackets looking great.

What is the right temperature for washing wool?

“Wool is an animal fiber. Think of animal fiber like your hair; it’s important to properly care for it to keep it soft, tangle-free and protected,” Pozniaks say. “One way to do this is to use the right water temperature and detergent.”

Whether you wash wool on the gentle cycle in the washing machine or by hand, the water should be cold or lukewarm (slightly warm). “Hot water will cause the wool to shrink,” says Zach Pozniak.

Wool fibers have small barbs that tangle and lock together, creating a felt that doesn’t fall apart when exposed to hot water. A wool sweater that has shrunk when washed in too hot water can be saved; however, one washed in hot water is usually ruined.

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Can you put wool in the dryer?

“The best way to destroy wool clothing is to put it in the dryer,” adds Jerry Pozniak. “You must lay the garment flat and allow it to air dry.” Tumble drying has temperatures that cause shrinkage, and hanging wet woolen clothes will cause them to stretch.

Wool sweaters, socks and accessories should be laid flat on an absorbent towel and wrapped to absorb excess moisture. Then lay the items flat on a mesh drying rack or a clean, dry towel to dry slowly away from direct heat sources.

Expert tips for washing wool

Washing or dry cleaning?

While wool fibers can be washed, wool garments may not. Structured wool garments such as overcoats, blazers and men’s suit coats should always be dry cleaned. The fabrics used to create the inner structure in these garments can be destroyed or deformed when washed. There is no way to undo the damage once this happens.

Unstructured woolen garments such as sweaters, scarves, hats, gloves, socks and unlined jackets can be safely machine or hand washed.

Pretreat Stains

Use an enzyme-based stain remover or some wool wash to pre-treat visible stains. Rub the cleaner into the wool fibers with your fingers, then let the garment sit for at least 10 minutes before washing.

Use the right type of detergent

When washing wool, it is recommended to use a wool washing agent or a gentle detergent.

“Most of these detergents are leave-in products and intentionally leave conditioners on the wool fibers to protect them,” Pozniaks says. “These detergents should help keep your clothes from pilling and feeling rough and scratchy.”

Treat wool gently

If you hand wash wool, do not rub the fibers harshly or wring the garment. When machine washing wool, especially sweaters or loosely knit items, use a mesh delicates bag to protect the garment from snagging and fraying.

Clothes with buttons or zippers to help them keep their shape and prevent wrinkles. Always empty your pockets between washes and remove any accessories that could pull fibers such as belts and jewellery.

Maintain color consistency

If you have a two-piece wool set, always wash both pieces at the same time. This will help the color and wear of the fibers to be more consistent.

Remove wrinkles the right way

To remove wrinkles from wool or sharpen labels and pockets on structured clothing, you can use an iron or a clothes steamer. If you iron, use a sturdy ironing board, a steam iron, and a protective cloth between the iron and the garment when pressing wool to prevent fiber damage.

A clothes steamer works well to relax wrinkles. Hang the woolen clothes on the learning hanger and follow the instructions of the steamer. Both pressed and steamed wool garments should be allowed to dry completely before wearing to prevent wrinkling.