Cleaning Merino Wool

[Wayne Packer]

Does anyone know of a common substitute for Woolite that works as well for cleaning merino wool? Woolite is the only cleaner I’ve used that does not shrink/destroy the garment.But I hate the idea of packing Woolite just for that purpose (extended trip). I do not know what the main ingredient in Woolite is…maybe it’s baking soda, or regular soap, or some other common ingredient one might normally have onboard…anyone?

[Larry Smith]

I wear merino tops pretty much 365 days / year. Smartwool, Ibex, and Icebreaker. They just get washed with regular detergent (Tide). Never had a problem with shrinking or anything else. The only negative to merino wool is that you’ll never want to wear anything else.

[D G]

Ivory Snow flakes detergent is excellent for wool.

Dan Goldenberg

[Sandra Warner]

I use good old Seventh Generation laundry detergent,handwash cycle,cold wash,hang to dry. Still looks great.

[paul johnson]

“hang to dry”.

i lay mine flat. i was under the, perhaps unwarranted assumption, that hanging might cause the garment to loose its shape due to the weight of the water.

please educate me: you haven’t found this to be true with your garments when “hanging” them?

[Sandra Warner]

Sorry! I use a clothes drying wood rack.I lay it over the top of it,part of it does hang over.

[D G]

I hang my wool garments. I do however try to use a coat hanger (generally wood ones) that are wide with the ends forming a gentle curve where they are inserted in the shoulders of the garment otherwise they leave a “bump” on the shoulders.

I think the advice to lay wool garments flat probably applies to thick wool garments like sweaters that do soak up quite a bit of water and are heavy after hand washing. But with the garments of most interest to this group, ie thin base layers like smartwool/icebreaker etc I’d say you are generally fine hanging them, especially after going through the spin cycle of your washing machine.

[Wayne Packer]

A bit off topic folks – I’m looking for something I could use for wool that I would have in the pack for other cleaning (ie: baking soda=toothpaste+soap+food ingredient)Point being not to carry a single function soap just for that occasional use. For instance, would Pack Soap, or Dr.Bronner’s(yuch)qualify if watered down?…

[paul johnson]

i use a similar rack, so air circulates on all sides of the garments/socks.

[John Pickron]

I have merino wool stuff and “plan” on using my dr. bronners inside a ziploc baggie. If in town, or otherwise–I’ll probably use regular detergent on gently cycle

[Joshua Mitchell]

I’ve used Dr Bronner’s (yes, very watered down) to wash numerous synthetic articles. Never had any issue with residue or anything else, even smell.

[Sandra Warner]

Wayne,I use Tom’s of Main natural moisturizing body wash(unscented). Dr. Bonners I dont care for. I wash everything with this in the back woods when needed. It rinses out very nicely,gentle to skin,cuts most of the dirt. My clothes and body have not protested so far. I have very!!! sensitive skin. And I always go far from water source to clean up.I think anything that is a gentle for the skin could be used on your wool garments, thats my findings so far.

[Victor Angle]

Liquid Castile soap. You can get it at a tack (equestrian equipment) store. Extra mild you can use it for every thing.

VGA

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