How to wash wool without ruining it.

When those chilly fall and winter days arrive, nothing’s better than cozying up in your favorite warm wool sweaters and blankets.

Wool is a wonderful natural fiber known for its warmth and moisture-wicking capabilities. But since it’s a little more delicate than cotton or polyester, you’ve got to show it some extra TLC. So, here’s how to wash wool — the right way.

Curious about some of the key benefits of wool over other materials? The International Wool Textile Organization boasts that wool:

• Doesn’t have to be washed as often as other textiles, which means it has a lower impact on the environment
• Is a protein-based fiber that easily biodegrades on both land and water (meaning less landfill pollution)
• Has a long lifespan, so wool clothing can be worn longer than other textile fiber products

The best way to avoid ruining your wool is to check the care label for any special instructions — and follow them.

Since wool is naturally stain- and odor-resistant, its self-regulating fibers don’t require as much washing as other fabrics. That means that taking care of wool is both simple and friendly to the planet!

Some wool items are machine washable, but others aren’t. No label? Probably best to assume you need to hand-wash it.

To keep your machine-washable wool looking fabulous, only wash wool sweaters, socks, blankets, and other items when absolutely necessary.

If you only need to spot-treat a few stains, hand wash the item to help retain its shape and cuddly, soft texture.

When it’s time for washing, use a gentle, natural laundry detergent. Then, follow these easy-peasy steps to handle your wool items with care:

Like other appliances, washing machines need a little care from time to time. Learn just how easy it is to clean your washing machine to keep your laundry smelling fresh and looking great!

If some of your fave wool items aren’t machine washable, no need to panic when they get dirty! Get your hand-washable wool spic-‘n’-span in just a few simple steps:

Want to see just how easy it is to hand-wash wool? Check out this short video!

Since wool is so resilient, you shouldn’t need to wash your wool items very often.

If you’re looking for ways to get stains out of wool or want to refresh your wool clothing and bedding, here are some tips and tricks to help you get the job done:

• Spot-clean minor stains by blotting the stain with mild soap and water.
• Remove annoying junk like pet hair, lint, or fuzz with a lint brush.
• Air out wool clothing or blankets after each use to keep them smelling fresh.
• Store wool items in an airtight bin at the end of the season to prevent pests like moths, silverfish, and carpet beetles from snacking on them.

Learn how to clean all of your blankets — including the wool and weighted ones — with our guide to washing blankets. While you’re at it, read up on how to wash all of your clothes and bedding naturally with our ultimate laundry guide.