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FABRIC GUIDE:
All About Wool

Who loves sweater weather as much we do here at BB?

The temperature dropping a few degrees is the perfect excuse to pull out our favourite wool jumpers, throw on a scarf and wear our brand spanking new leather boots - watch out world, we’ve got our sassy pants on!


What are some of the properties of wool?

Breathable

Wool is great at regulating body temperature as it absorbs moisture to produce heat and keep you warm in the cold and evacuates it when you get inside. No need to be a pro skier to swear by merino wool base layers to stay nice and dry!

Odour Resistant

Wool will keep you smelling like a rose, especially compared to synthetic fabrics. It absorbs odours only to release them in the wash. Genius.

Sustainable

Sheep grow a fresh fleece every year to protect them against colder weather making wool a renewable fibre. It is also biodegradable, as it decomposes into the soil in a matter of months.

What are some of the properties of wool?

Breathable

Wool is great at regulating body temperature as it absorbs moisture to produce heat and keep you warm in the cold and evacuates it when you get inside. No need to be a pro skier to swear by merino wool base layers to stay nice and dry!

Odour Resistant

Wool will keep you smelling like a rose, especially compared to synthetic fabrics. It absorbs odours only to release them in the wash. Genius.

Sustainable

Sheep grow a fresh fleece every year to protect them against colder weather making wool a renewable fibre. It is also biodegradable, as it decomposes into the soil in a matter of months.

What is wool made of?

Wool initially comes from shearing animals, in most cases sheep. The wool is washed and carded to disentangle and straighten out the fibres into long strands that are then spun into yarn to be used to make new garments, such as jumpers, cardigans, ponchos, dresses and scarves.

Is wool fabric durable?

Wool is known for its durability - if you’ve been thinking “I feel like I’ve owned this jumper for 20 years” chances are you probably have!

Does water ruin wool?

No, water won’t ruin wool as its surface is naturally water repellent. It’s also amazingly water absorbent which means that you won’t feel wet or cold if you get caught in the rain!

Does wool shrink when washed?

Wool tends to shrink when washed in hot water or dried on high heat, so avoid both at all cost and follow the care instructions below.

Wool Care Guide

While you should always refer to your garment’s individual care label as different yarns mean different care instructions, here are some helpful guidelines to keep your wool jumpers looking fresh.

How do you wash wool jumpers?
When it comes to caring for your wool garments, hand washing should be the general rule unless your care label gives you permission to machine wash (if so, time to buy that lotto ticket!).

Turn your wool garment inside out, fill your sink with cold to lukewarm water and add a small amount of detergent - ideally one formulated specifically for wool and cashmere. Soak the garment for a few minutes, swish it around a few times and rinse until the water runs clear.

If you can machine wash, use the gentle or wool cycle if yours has that option and put your sweaters in a laundry bag to avoid any snags.

Now - don’t you dare put that wool jumper in the dryer! Roll it in a clean towel to soak up excess water and lay it flat to dry in the shade. Patience is a virtue.

How do you freshen a wool jumper?
If you want to freshen up your jumpers between washes and keep them looking nice longer, simply leave them out overnight - yup, even our clothes need a bit of fresh air from time to time.

Steaming is also a good way to remove odours and get creases out, just hang up your jumper on the towel rack in the bathroom while you shower.

Hot Tip: wearing a breathable undershirt from our basics range will give you more wear time between washes.

Can you restore a shrunken wool sweater?
Dry your tears my dear! Believe it or not, there’s still hope if your partner threw your favourite jumper in the dryer and it came out looking two sizes smaller (hope for the sweater that is...).

Fill your sink with lukewarm water and a cap full of wool detergent or baby shampoo and let your jumper soak in the solution from 10 to 15 minutes to relax the fibres.

Drain the sink and take your jumper out, gently squeezing out excess water (do not rinse it in clean water) by rolling it in a clean towel. Lay out the damp jumper on a fresh towel and very gently stretch it out to its original size before letting it air dry.

Can you iron wool jumpers?
Again, refer to the care label, but most of the time it’s a big no-no. Wool doesn’t wrinkle much but, if that’s the case, using a steamer is a better idea.


How to store wool jumpers?
You should be neatly (or not so neatly) folding your wool jumpers rather than hanging them up, as the latter could cause them to stretch or take on a weird shape.

If you live in a warmer climate and don’t need your wool jumpers taking up all the space in your wardrobe you may wish to pack them away at the end of the season to make space for your kaftans! If so, give them a final wash and fold them away in breathable cotton bags to keep moisture and clothes moths at bay.

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