How To Care For Your Garments #1: Wool

Today I’m sharing a few tools to help you care for your clothes better, with an emphasis on wool

The number one rule of a sustainable closet is buying less and making the clothes you have last longer instead. That isn’t always easy, especially when it comes to low-quality garments that sometimes simply cannot be saved. First of all, try to avoid this type of clothes altogether. Buying quality garments does not have to be expensive, and the high street isn’t your only option. Go through your friends and family’s closets, visits a flea market, or go to a second-hand store. The fact certain pieces of clothes made it there already means they’re meant to last longer and are probably higher quality than a brand-new garment you’ll buy on Shein.

Once you invest in that pure wool coat or an admirable merino jumper, you’ll wear it forever. You’ll just have to learn how to take care of them. Garment care is easy if you know what you’re doing. It can trigger ASMR, too. Most importantly, it prolongs the life of your cherished clothes. So, today I’m sharing a few tips on how to care for your clothes better. I’m focusing on wool because it’s still winter. Also, I don’t want to scare you away with silk or linen just yet.

Here’s a part of my care and repair kit. It’s missing some cedar wood balls.

Let’s start with wool coats. Ah, a good wool coat can last for generations. If you want to keep it in great shape for a long time, don’t stuff the pockets with garbage. I mean it. Keep your vitamins, crystals, G strings, tarot cards, or whatever else celebrities pull out on Vogue’s In The Bag series - in your bag. The pockets should be empty or used to keep your hands from the cold. You can store a handkerchief or a piece of gum in there, but anything heavier than that will stretch your pockets out and ultimately ruin them. 

A garment brush can be a savior when it comes to wool coats. Mine is By Malene Birger (currently out of stock) and was a gift from Garderoba Store. I found a similar one here and here.

Wool doesn’t absorb smells, and it has natural self-cleaning properties. Of course, you’ll take it to a dry cleaner if you stain it with red wine. But other than that, you should be fine with a simple garment brush. You can buy it in most fabric stores or directly from the brands that make it. A garment brush can take mud off your coat when your dog jumps on you in the park. It keeps the fibers nice and straight and gives the coat that polished new look you want to maintain for as long as possible.

A wool sweater needs a little more tendance, but it’s still really low maintenance. If it doesn’t have stains, airing it out will be sufficient to keep it fresh. If you do stain it, try to spot-clean it with a damp cloth first. Check the label before washing it to be sure, but most wool sweaters will do just fine on a gentle low-temperature cycle in your washing machine. If you prefer hand-washing, use lukewarm water, and don’t squeeze or rub the sweater. You could damage the fibers and end up with a misshaped sweater. When it’s time to dry it, don’t tumble-dry or hang it. Lay it down flat on a towel instead. Hangers will ruin the shape of the sweater. For the same reason, store your sweaters nicely folded on a shelf - never hang them.

A wool comb will save you from pilling. Find one here or here. Or go for an electric one, your call.

Lastly, wool jumpers will pill. People often think this is due to low quality, but it’s not. Pilling is a natural property of wool that occurs when there’s friction. You can easily remove the tiny fiber balls that appear on the surface of your sweater with a simple razor or a sweater comb. Also, the pilling will decrease over time. Everything you just read applies to cashmere, too. Give it love, and it will love you back for years.

Have a tip on caring for wool garments? Leave a comment!