washing wool

[wren]

Can it be done? I have a bag made of wool felt that needs to be cleaned (after having several milk spills). I'd rather carry it around the way it is than get it dry-cleaned - which I avoid anyway for the chemicals, but it seems ludicrous to dry-clean a tote-bag.

I assume cold water is a must, but I've never washed wool before. Any tips?

wren

[LaLa]

I wash wool stuff in the machine on cold gentle with a little wool wash. It does tend to felt a little from the motion of the machien, but if you lay it flat to dry, it really shouldnt' shrink

[WeaverAnn]

I spin, so I'm washing wool a lot. What I would recommend is to soak the bag in lukewarm water with a bit of laundry soap (liquid works better) or something like Woolite or Eucalan wool wash. Gently rinse by soaking again in water the same temperature as the water you just took the bag out of. Then put it in an old pillowcase and put it in your washer with a towel and run the spin cycle (make sure there is no rinse water coming in!). Lay flat on a towel or a sweater dryer to dry. It should come out fine.

The things to avoid doing with wool to prevent shrinkage and felting are to not change water temperature (which shocks the wool) and not to agitate the wool (which also shocks the wool).

Let me know if you need more info!

[wren]

Thanks ladies! There is such a wealth of knowledge on this board!

wren

[Millie Ivy]

Definely use Eucalen, I can't wear wool. But if I did I would get Eucalen, I have heard great things about it.

[wren]

Thanks all. Woolite (couldn't find anything else) worked like a charm... when I finally got around to it. I just used cold water and stuck it in the washer's spin cycle with a couple other things. I was even daring and didn't put it in a pillow case. :)

Looks great! Thanks again!

wren