How to tell if something is wool

[mlkorf]

I bought a sweater at a thrift store today because I thought it might be wool and I loved the color! Is there any way to tell if something is wool? A test or something? I'd appreciate any input! Thanks -

Melissa

[amberthesugarcat]

Well, I wish someone would verify this, but I think you could tell by trying to burn a small piece of it. Wool should not be too flammable, but acrylic or other unnatural fibers should burn really easily (melt).

I haven't tested this idea, but it might work!

[beepsmnms]

I think you would wash in hot a little extra soap, dry in a hot dryer. Sometimes it has to be done 2 times to felt all the way. So far that has worked for me. I only buy the sweaters if they have the tag in them that say 100% wool because I'm a dumbo and would end up getting silk if i didn't. LOL.

[Kari_mom]

Originally Posted by amberthesugarcat

Well, I wish someone would verify this, but I think you could tell by trying to burn a small piece of it. Wool should not be too flammable, but acrylic or other unnatural fibers should burn really easily (melt).

I haven't tested this idea, but it might work!

That's pretty much it, actually. Wool burns to an ash, smells like hair burning, and self-extinquishes. Synthetics burn and melt into a ball and smell like burnt plastic. Blends will burn to an ash with small gritty bits in it.

I always do burn tests over the kitchen sink in case things get out of hand, and when the kids aren't around so I don't give them any ideas.

You can also put a small piece in pure chlorine bleach, wool will completely dissolve overnight and blends will partially dissolve.

[Jes'sBeth]

I do the burn test because frankly I think it's cool it feels like chemistry class and I feel all scientific!

I hold a tiny piece with a pair of needlenose pliers and put a match to it. I hold everything over the sink or over a cookie tin outside in summer when it's not windy out.

Most 100% wool sweaters will felt. Unfortunatly I have 2 that must be superwash wool and they are minimally smaller than when I started felting them yesterday but not very much smaller and I think I'm out of options. Mostly though, if you've got a wool sweater, a few times through the washer and it'll felt up nicely for you.

[onediaperinmama]

Wool will dissolve completely in bleach - or so I've heard, I've never tried this.