Don’t be intimidated to clean this delicate fabric.

Structured woolclothes, such asouter coats, blazers, and men’s suit coats, should always bedry-cleaned.

There is no way to reverse the damage once this happens.

stack of wool sweaters

The Spruce / Autumn Wood

Here’s how to care for wool and cashmere clothing.

Stain-removal products should be tested in an inconspicuous spot, such as an inside seam, before use.

Fill a Washbasin

Soak the Garment

Submerge the item of clothing in the water.

Materials and tools to clean wool and cashmere clothing

The Spruce / Cristina Tudor

Agitate the water surrounding the garment not the garment itself to distribute the soap.

Let the item soak for up to 30 minutes.

Rinse the Garment

Run cool water over the item of clothing until the soap has rinsed out.

Red wool sweater pretreating stain and tested inside seam

The Spruce / Cristina Tudor

Press the water out of the item, but do not wring it.

You’re unlikely to notice any color loss once the item is dry.

Wash on Delicate Cycle

Set the machine to the delicate or wool cycle.

Shampoo measured over washbasin with water to wash wool sweater

The Spruce / Cristina Tudor

double-check the water temperature is set to the cold temperature and the spin cycle is on low.

Spot-clean stains as they happen so the garment might be worn a few more times.

Every time you clean a wool garment, a little bit of damage is done to the fibers.

Red wool sweater soaking in washbasin with soapy water

The Spruce / Cristina Tudor

Prolong the time between cleanings as long as possible.

You will also need a felting needle and a felting mat.

The roving will attach itself to the wool as you sew it.

Water pressed out of red wool sweater after rinsing

The Spruce / Cristina Tudor

To repair a hole or tear in cashmere, purchase yarn that matches the color of the item.

you might use cashmere yarn, but it’s not required.

Thread an embroidery needle with the yarn, but don’t knot it at the end.

Red wool sweater wrapped in white towel for drying

The Spruce / Cristina Tudor

Tie a knot around the closed stitch, then repeat until the hole has been fixed.

Tie a knot around the last stitch, then cut off excess yarn.

Use a steamer to get rid of wrinkles.

Black wool garment placed in mesh bag for washing

The Spruce / Cristina Tudor

If you must use aniron on woolor cashmere, turn the item inside out and use a pressing cloth.

Storing Wool and Cashmere

Store wool and cashmere garments in a cool, dry location.

Heat and humidity, such as in an attic or basement, can cause damage to the fabric.

Mesh bag placed in washing machine

The Spruce / Cristina Tudor

For the most part, the items should be folded carefully and placed in a breathable cotton garment bag.

For an extra layer of protection, wrap the pieces in acid-free tissue paper and add silica gel sachets.

Avoid plastic storage bags, which trap moisture and increase the risk of mildew and discoloration.

Black wool sweater laid flat to air dry

The Spruce / Cristina Tudor

The exception is jackets or suits, which can be hung with a solid, structured hanger.

Tips for Washing Wool and Cashmere

Read the instruction label first to see what the manufacturer suggests.

Some garments can be dried on the tumble-dry setting, but always check the care label for specifics.

Stain remover gently rubbed into wool sweater

The Spruce / Cristina Tudor

If it is washed in hot water, yes, as hot water causes wool to shrink.

Ball of black yarn pulled to repair hole in wool sweater

The Spruce / Cristina Tudor

Clothes steamer passing over wool sweater to iron

The Spruce / Cristina Tudor

Red wool sweater wrapped in acid-free tissue paper for storage

The Spruce / Cristina Tudor