How to wash a wool scarf
Wool scarves and, more generally, scarves made of natural materials are not too complicated to maintain. Even if they may seem fragile, you can wash your wool scarf yourself and avoid taking it to the dry cleaner’s. Just follow a few tips and tricks to prevent felting!
Putting a wool scarf in the washing machine?
Be careful with your washing machine’s wool setting, even if it works for your wool sweaters, at French scarf we recommend that you wash your wool scarf by hand. Your scarf’s special wool properties will be retained longer, and you will be able to keep your scarf from one year to the next without worry and without risk.
The only important thing is not to subject the wool to significant changes in temperature. Wool is an animal-based fabric and it does not deal with sudden temperature differences very well. This is why it is better to wash your wool scarf with room temperature water, because if you immerse it directly in hot water, the wool will felt: it will shrink and you will not be able to save it.
If this ever happens to you, don’t throw it away, you can still use it to shine your shoes!
A simple method to wash a wool scarf
The easiest way to wash your scarf is to soak it in a basin of room temperature water with a little special wool detergent or Marseille soap. Then, gently rub it and rinse two or three times with clear water. Do not wring it out, but still try to remove as much water as possible.
For drying, do not put it in the dryer: too much heat will cause your scarf to felt and shrink.
Simply leave it flat to dry, this way you will prevent it from becoming warped or misshapen.
If you hang it to dry, the weight of the water still present in the scarf may relax the woolen threads and deform the scarf. The best thing is to lay your scarf on a flat surface and turn it over from time to time so that it dries well evenly. We also advise you not to dry it in the sun because the sun can dull the scarf’s colors. This is true for any material, however.
“My wool scarf became rough after I washed it”
A trick to restore your wool scarf’s softness
Once your wool scarf dries, it won’t be very soft. This is completely normal. Don’t worry, for your wool scarf to regain all its original soft feel, you just need to iron it gently. Put your iron on the wool setting and be sure to use lots of steam. Do not press down too hard on your scarf when you iron it, but be sure to spray it generously. If you have a steaming machine, this is even better. Water vapor restores your scarf’s fluffiness and softness without the risk of damaging it. Now your scarf will regain the softness and shine it had when you first got it!
With these few simple, easy tips for maintaining your wool scarf, you will be able to keep it in tip top shape! If you need additional details or if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask us by writing to: marie-ange@lafabriquedecharpe.fr
Now that you know how to maintain a wool scarf, all you have to do is choose from our collections of Merino wool scarves made in France.
This information is given for informational purposes only and concerns all the scarves available on the French scarf website. For advice on caring for your scarf purchased on another site, please contact the brand that made the fabric directly.
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