Extend the life of your Devold merino garments.

Did you know that merino wool is self-cleaning, and should preferably be hung out to air instead of washing in the washing machine? Below are a few tips on how to take care of your Devold merino garments.

Wool is nature’s own minor miracle, because the properties naturally found in wool can never be recreated in a laboratory. Wool insulates and keeps you warm when it’s cold, and will regulate your body temperature when you’re hot. Did you know wool can absorb up to 35% of its own weight in moisture, without feeling wet? It also protects against UV radiation and high temperatures. That’s why wool is the most comfortable thing to have close to your body and as an outer layer on cold evenings.

High quality wool is also very wear-resistant and durable, but to ensure that your woollen garments last as long as possible, knowing how to care for them is a big advantage.

1. Hang out to air
Because wool does not provide a breeding ground for bacteria and is naturally self-cleaning, it does not smell of sweat like its synthetic counterparts. After use, woollen garments should therefore be hung out to air instead of putting them together with the rest of the laundry. Wool can be worn several times without washing. This saves the environment from unnecessary washing and will extend the life of your woollens.

2. Use gentle detergents
If you get stains on your woollen clothes or have worn them so many times that they need a wash, choose a gentle wash program and use detergents specifically designed for wool, such as Milo. Ordinary detergents should be avoided, as they contain enzymes and bleach that can destroy the wool fibres, which can cause holes in the garments and to lose their shape. Always try stain removal and airing before machine washing.

3. Rather machine wash than hand wash
The wool programmes in modern washing machines will wash wool more correctly and gently than with hand washing. Washing wool on a 30-degree wool programme rather than by hand is therefore recommended. Spinning is important during the drying process to get excess water and detergents out of the garment before drying, otherwise there is a risk that wool will lose its shape during drying. Avoid filling the machine right to the top when washing on a wool programme. Wool should also be hung to dry, and not left to dry on a bathroom floor, which was previously the recommendation. Always make sure that the woollen garments are not dripping wet when drying.

4. Tumble dry
If you’re short on time, check the label on your garments. Most of Devold’s woollen clothes, for example, except for the classic woollen sweaters and accessories made from pure Norwegian wool, are pre-shrunk. Woollen undergarments therefore tolerate tumble drying, but air drying is always recommended due to the environmental impact and to keep them looking great for longer.

5. Remove stains
Thanks to wool’s self-cleaning properties, it also releases stains easily. However, it is important to remove stains as soon as possible. Hold the garment under running lukewarm water until the stain dissolves to avoid unnecessary washing.

6. Let wool rest
Do not wear the same woollen garments repeatedly, but allow the wool to rest and recover after use. Let wool rest in fresh air, on a hanger or fold it up neatly. This gives wool its natural properties time to work and restore it to its natural shape.