Even though the washing machine does most of the work, there are a few important things to consider beforehand when washing wool in the machine. We explain step by step how you should proceed to do so.
The first step towards optimal textile care - and wool is no exception - is to look at the label on each item of clothing. The washing symbols printed on the label not only give you important information about the wash itself, but also about aftercare. Reading the washing and care symbols correctly is particularly important for silk and wool, i.e. delicate fabrics.
This washing symbol means that garments may only be washed by hand at a maximum of 30 °C (we can provide you with suitable tips for hand washing) or in the machine using a special hand wash programme for hand washable wool.
This washing symbol is a typical care symbol for demanding fabrics such as silk and wool. Specially treated woollen textiles bearing the words ‘machine washable’ or ‘machine washable wool’ on the ‘Woolmark’ label can be washed in the wool or delicate cycle of any washing machine and then spun briefly.
Have you spotted the following washing symbol on the label of your new favourite woollen jumper? Garments labelled with this symbol must not be washed by hand or in the machine. In this case, it is best to contact a dry cleaner.
This care symbol does not refer to the washing itself, but to the correct aftercare. Garments with this symbol on the label can be tumble dried at a reduced temperature.
It is not possible to tumble dry a garment with this care symbol on the label. It is best to lay the garments flat and allow them to air dry.
Of course, our list of common care symbols for wool also includes symbols for ironing. According to this care symbol on the label, garments can be ironed at a low temperature. If necessary, shiny or pressure-sensitive items should be ironed with a dry ironing cloth or on the reverse side.
This care symbol leaves no questions unanswered: Ironing is not possible here. It is best to simply smooth out the garment and lay it flat.
Does the label on your garment show washing symbols and care symbols other than those listed above? Then take a look at our list to see what they mean.
If this washing symbol is shown, the garment can be washed on a normal wash cycle up to a maximum of 40 °C.
This washing symbol means that the garment can be washed on a normal washing cycle at a maximum of 50 °C.
In this case, a maximum temperature of 60 °C is permitted in the normal wash cycle.
Clothes with this wash symbol can be washed on a normal wash cycle at a maximum of 70 °C.
This symbol indicates a normal wash cycle with a temperature of up to 95 °C.
This washing symbol indicates that you can wash your clothes on a delicate cycle (e.g. easy-care or delicate wash programme) at a maximum of 40 °C.
This symbol also recommends the delicate wash cycle (e.g. easy-care or delicate wash programme), but at a maximum of 50 °C.
Wash a garment with this symbol on a delicate cycle (e.g. easy-care or delicate wash programme) at a temperature not higher than 60 °C.
The two lines under the basin indicate a special gentle wash cycle and the 30 °C is the maximum permitted temperature.
A garment with this wash symbol can withstand a maximum temperature of 40 °C in the special gentle wash cycle.
This care symbol indicates that the garment can be tumble dried as normal.
Lay the clothes with this symbol out flat in a shady spot when they are dripping wet.
I dry best on a washing line - says a textile with this symbol.
This symbol also recommends drying on a washing line, but in a shady spot.
Dry clothes with this information on the label on the washing line in a shady spot, but dripping wet.
What does this symbol mean to you? The garment needs to be laid out flat in a shady spot to dry.
Drying dripping wet while lying down, on the other hand, requires a garment with this care symbol.
The two dots on the iron indicate that you should only iron the garment at a moderate temperature, i.e. 150 °C at most.
The three dots also indicate moderately hot ironing, but at a maximum of 200 °C.
If you see this care symbol on the label, you should avoid bleach completely - only wash with colour and mild detergent.
A garment with this symbol is less sensitive and can withstand treatment with both chlorine and oxygen bleach (e.g. universal detergent).
This symbol indicates that the clothing in question can be treated with oxygen bleach (e.g. universal detergent).
You should not dry clean a garment with this symbol.
The opposite is true for this symbol: please only take it to the dry cleaner!
Now it gets a little complicated: A garment with this symbol on the label can be cleaned with hydrocarbons, perchloroethylene and R113 and R11 solutions.
R113 and hydrocarbon solutions pose no problem for clothing with this care symbol.
Wet cleaning process? No problem according to this sign!
Cleaning with hydrocarbons, perchloroethylene and R113 and R11 solutions is permitted according to this symbol, but only with limited addition of moisture and temperature.
If you see this symbol on the label, you can have the garment cleaned with the R113 and hydrocarbon solutions. However, please note the restrictions regarding the addition of moisture and temperature.
You already know the symbol for permitted wet cleaning processes. This symbol simply adds a small addition: ‘there are restrictions on the addition of moisture and temperature’.
Don't have time to trawl through the long list of care symbols to find the right one? Fortunately, you don't have to. Simply try the Frag Team Clean wash symbol scanner: open the application, scan the care label and you will be shown what the individual symbols on the label mean.
Once the care and wash symbols have been checked, you can start loading the washing machine. Make sure that the drum is not too full, as too high a load places too much mechanical stress on the textiles during the wash. There is also a risk that the detergent will not dissolve properly. For all fine fabrics such as wool and silk, the drum should only ever be filled up to a quarter full.
Our tip
Before washing:
- Close all hooks, press studs etc.
- Empty pockets
- Turn garments inside out
- Separate dark and light or white clothing to avoid possible discolouration
If the care symbol for hand washing can be found on the label of your woollen garment, select the hand wash programme on your washing machine and set the temperature control according to the care recommendation.
If the label has already been removed and you can no longer remember the washing instructions exactly, select the hand wash programme. To be on the safe side, set the temperature control to cold wash. If your garment is made of machine-washable wool, machine wash it on the wool or delicate cycle at up to 30 °C. You can also wash individual woollen garments by hand.