How to Wash Wool and Natural Fibers

Whether it’s your favorite merino wool and cashmere sweater, or your organic cotton sheets, natural materials have become a popular alternative to synthetic fabrics. Petroleum-based plastic fibers like polyester, acrylic, and nylon impact both our health and environment. They trap heat and sweat, leach toxic processing chemicals and microplastics, and don’t naturally break down. Clothing sits directly on our skin everyday, so it’s no wonder more families are switching their wardrobes over to natural fibers to limit their exposure. Though the change for a more conscious lifestyle also introduces a new laundry day routine.

Many of the natural fibers commonly available such as wool, cotton, linen, or bamboo require different laundering methods. We’ve shared below some tips on how to care for and maintain these natural fibers, and how to read their care label symbols. With these laundry tips, your natural clothing will stay beautiful for years to come.

Why Natural Fibers Need Different Care

Cotton, linen, and wool hold many beneficial properties that synthetic fibers (try) to mimic. They’re naturally moisture wicking, breathable, and temperature regulating. Some are even naturally dirt and odor repelling. But they tend to be more sensitive to harsh detergents and excessive heat. They actually don’t need any of the marketed features of conventional detergents, like fabric softening or synthetic fragrances.

Over time these features can weaken natural fibers, shorten their lifespan, or worse, cause visible damage to the garment.

How to Read Care Label Symbols

One of the easiest ways to protect natural clothing is simply by learning how to read the garment’s care label correctly. This is especially important for vintage clothing pieces. Before 1971, clothing manufacturers were not legally required to provide clear instructions on how to wash, bleach, dry, or iron a garment. Later in 1997, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) then allowed brands to use universal care symbols in addition to written text instructions.

Here are a few common symbols worth recognizing:

How to Wash Wool

Wool is one of the most durable and insulating natural fibers, but it requires gentler handling than cotton or linen. With the right combination of moisture, high temperatures, and agitation, wool sweaters become misshapen or shrunken 3-sizes-too-small due to misunderstanding.

If the wool is labeled as “hand wash,” avoid tossing it into the washing machine. Even machine-washable wools benefit from hand washing. Some washing machines come with a gentle cycle that’s targeted at wool specifically, but if in doubt, stick to hand washing.

One of the most common mistakes is exposing the wool fibers to high temperatures. Avoid using warm or hot water. Wool is naturally water repelling, so you may notice it floating on top of the water at first. Gently submerge the wool so it begins to soak up the water, and be sure to use a detergent appropriate for wool.

Never toss wool into the dryer, not even with the no heat setting. Wool holds memory, and when wool is wet, it can easily stretch and hold that new shape. The last thing you want is having a wool sweater with one sleeve longer than the other. Instead, allow the wool to dry flat whenever possible, and away from direct sunlight.

With proper care like this, your wool knitwear will soften overtime and stay beautiful for generations to come.

If you want a more complete guide, we’ve made a FREE Laundry Care Guide. We’ve included everything you need to know about reading care labels and how to clean wool, linen, and more!

Simply sign up for our newsletter and we’ll send the guide straight to your inbox. If you’re tired of feeling frustrated with natural and nontoxic cleaning tips that don’t work, this guide is for you. We’re here to support you feeling confident in caring for your home and family.