WOOL CARE – LET’S GET STRATEGIC.

Here are some wool care strategies to prolong the life of your Pendleton wool garments and blankets.

CLEAN BEFORE STORAGE – Safely clean all spills and residues from wool blankets and wool garments before putting them away for the summer.

SUMMER OUTINGS – Taking stored garments or blankets outside every few months for shaking, brushing, and exposure to sunlight will prevent damage!

COLLECTOR STRATEGIES – Store blankets in plastic airtight boxes and bags that seal completely. Air out, shake and refold your treasures every few months.

REPEL – Cedar heartwood and chemical products repel moths, but don’t fully protect against damage. Follow the above steps  to keep woolen goods clean, safe, and lasting for generations.

BLANKET CARE – CAN A WOOL BLANKET BE WASHED?

No. Washing will shrink the blanket and ruin it. Pendleton’s traditional wool blankets should only be dry-cleaned.

The exception is the washable Pendleton Eco-Wise Wool® bedding line. These blankets and throws have been woven and treated to be washable: refer to the care instructions on the blanket.

HOW SHOULD WOOL CLOTHING BE CLEANED?

First, refer to the care instructions! if a garment is dry-clean only, then follow that direction and have it dry cleaned. Dry cleaning once a season will keep wool garments fresh.

To freshen a wrinkled wool garment, hang it in a steamy bathroom. Wool is naturally odor-releasing and anti-microbial.

If the garment is labeled as washable, we recommend hand-washing with these steps:

• Treat small stains by rinsing with cold water or seltzer and blotting dry with a clean cloth.
• If the garment is labeled “hand wash," use specially formulated mild soap and wash by hand.
• Keep agitation to a minimum, as it can cause the scales of wool fibers to knit together in a process called “felting.” This cannot be undone!
• After hand washing, gently roll the garment in a towel. You might want to do this several times, with a fresh towel for each turn.
• For a knitted garment (sweater or scarf or shawl), lay the knitted garment out in the shape you want it to have after it dries. This is called “blocking." A drying screen is a nice option for allowing both sides of a sweater to dry.
• For a woven garment, lay it on a flat surface to dry.
• Always avoid direct sunlight on a damp wool item, and always avoid direct heat.

AREN’T ALL PENDLETON WOOL SHIRTS WASHABLE?

No, they are not! Many Umatilla Wool shirts are, indeed, washable, but Sir Pendleton shirts are dry clean only. Refer to the care tags for any Pendleton wool shirt to determine the best way to clean it.

Pendleton’s washable wool shirts are made with a fabric that has been treated with a special process to seal the scales of wool fiber. These fabrics are clearly labeled as washable, and once washed, should not be dry cleaned.

If you would rather dry clean a washable wool shirt, it should not be washed after. Dry cleaning removes the washable finish. Always choose one method and stick with it.

Questions about our washable wool process? More information available here: Pendleton and Sustainability

REMEMBER WOOL’S ENEMIES

Bleach and Detergent – A little bleach causes wool fiber to stiffen and discolor permanently. A lot of bleach will dissolve wool fiber. The alkalis in soaps and detergents remove wool’s luster, strength and softness.

Moths – The best prevention against moth damage is regular use. When not in use, periodically shake or brush items, and re-fold or hang. Keep closets and storage areas swept, making sure to inspect for dead moths and larva casings. Sunlight is another helpful tool against moths—sun blankets now and then to kill any missed eggs.

High Heat and Shrinkage – Exposure to high, direct heat will damage wool fabric.

ENJOY YOUR WOOL

Caring for wool correctly can give you generations of use and wear. And speaking of generations, Please note: If you have purchased a vintage Pendleton wool garment that does not have care tags, we recommend that you dry clean these items. And send us photos!