“Depending on the breed of sheep (like merino), wool can be as soft as cotton and the best performance fabric on the market. It’s also environmentally friendly,” explains Jordan Todoroff, the General Manager of merino wool performance apparel company, Ibex. It turns out, wool is not as hard to take care of as it might seem. “Wool is antimicrobial so bacteria doesn’t grow on it like it does on other fibers,” Todoroff says. “If you sweat and start to smell, it’s actually the sweat that smells, not the shirt. If you hang it up, you won’t be able to smell the odor when it’s dry.” In other words, you might not need to wash it after every wear. Of course, when it is time to care for your wool, you’ll want to take extra care to select a wash, or detergent, and follow recommended steps to maintain the integrity of your favorite sweater, blanket, or jacket. Our favorite is Soak Wash, an effective yet easy no-rinse option that comes in a variety of scents and can handle a number of materials. Soak also has crossover appeal, meaning that during our research it came up not only as a strong pick for wool, but also as a top choice for undergarments and other delicates. When customers say it washes everything from winter sweaters to lacy lingerie, we knew we needed to give this brand our full attention. The no-fuss process and the variety of scents (hello, Pineapple Grove and Wild Mint!) made it our front-runner. We were also struck by the promise of the 12-ounce bottle handling up to 75 washes. The one area of caution is that some buyers report issues with the packaging leaking during travel. But this really shouldn’t be an issue if you’re keeping it for use at home or making it a point to transfer small amounts into your favorite trusted travel container. Price at time of publish: $18 In the case of Ecover, it’s an effective and eco-friendly pick with recycled packaging, a vegan formula, and a zero waste factory, too. And the most important part: it’ll gently treat the fibers in your favorite sweater or other wool products to keep them comfy and cozy for the long haul. As can often happen with scented products, the fragrance can be polarizing. Expect it to smell like honeydew and waterlilies. Price at time of publish: $27 It’s also worth mentioning that in addition to the smaller, 16-ounce bottle that’s available, you can buy it in a 50-ounce size that’s even more cost-efficient. It’s also fine to use on cotton, polyester, nylon, and other materials so you can reach for it for a regular load of laundry, too. Price at time of publish: $5 We see a lot of promise here, especially when factoring in the brand’s commitments to sustainability and green chemistry. We only wish this delicate detergent had more of a track record. Still, we feel it’s worth a mention, given the rave reviews we’ve seen for their other offerings, and for the certifications they’ve received from the EPA, USDA, and the National Eczema Association. Price at time of publish: $18 The ingredient list does include fragrance oils, which we think will be a pro for some and a con for others. If you prefer unscented products, or a blueberry/orchid scent isn’t appealing, then it might not be a good fit. But if you love the idea of a light floral smell and soft, clean woolen items, then it’s definitely worth consideration. Price at time of publish: $17 The added convenience of the pump bottle has us wondering why more brands don’t include one, and we’re also impressed with the concentration and packaging. Each bottle promises up to 100 washes. If that sounds high for the amount of knitting you do, we have more good news. The wash is also great for wool clothes, cashmere, sheepskin, and more. And heads-up, many shoppers rave about the light lavender, citrus scent that comes from essential oils. If that’s not your cup of tea, there’s unfortunately not an unscented version yet. Price at time of publish: $26
Ingredients
“I recommend PH neutral detergents,” Jordan Todoroff, the General Manager of Ibex, says, noting a level of acidity that can be comparable to dish soap, or a fairly mild option that’s suitable for everyday cleaning (while gentle on hands and skin, too). Among those listed here, Soak Wash and Outback Gold are both examples of balanced pH formulas. Enzymatic formulas can also be gentle enough for delicate wool fibers, yet still effective cleansers. No matter what, avoid using bleach or any harsh chemicals on your wool products
Washing Conditions
First things first; “When maintaining wool, people need to differentiate between wool that’s machine washable than not,” says Todoroff. Wool, which can come from sheep, llama, alpaca, rabbits, yak, and more animals, can be machine washable, hand washable, or dry clean only. “Other best practices are to wash wool before you wear it to incorporate the fibers, soften the garments, and prevent pilling,” Todoroff adds. In addition to gentle detergents, you’ll find no-rinse formulas (like Soak Wash and KnitIQ), as well as rinse optional formulas on the market for wool care (Outback Gold, for example). This doesn’t mean that water isn’t necessary, rather the process leans more on soaking than agitating and rinsing. Whichever product or style you might prefer, always make sure to check the recommendations of your particular products before making any cleaning and care purchases.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Dena Ogden, a lifestyle and commerce writer who’s been writing professionally since 2016 and with The Spruce since August 2022. She’s written about everything from baskets and bins to carpet shampoos and robot vacuums. If you opt to wash by hand, know that you’re in good company. Take your time, and as you’re getting used to the washing wool, always be mindful of instructions on your clothes and on the wool wash itself. For this piece, she did extensive research on wool-friendly detergents currently available at major retailers, and evaluated options based on key specifications, reviews, and cleaning methods, She selected choices based on criteria including effectiveness, ease of cleaning, and ingredients. Jordan Todoroff, the General Manager of merino wool performance apparel company Ibex, also offered expertise on buying, cleaning, and maintaining wool products.
