How to wash and care for a woollen throw at home

A woollen throw is one of those things that rewards a small amount of attention. Wash it wrong once and it can shrink significantly or felt into a stiff, matted version of itself. Wash it right, and it gets softer with each cycle. Here's what actually works.

Washing: machine or hand? ¶

Most modern wool throws, including the herringbone weave we stock, are machine washable on a wool or delicate cycle. The key variables are temperature (30°C or below), spin speed (slow, 400rpm or less), and detergent (a wool-specific liquid, not a standard biological powder). Biological detergents contain enzymes that break down protein fibres, which is exactly what wool is made of.

Hand washing is gentler but not always necessary. If you're hand washing, use cool water and a small amount of wool wash, press the throw gently rather than wringing it, and support the full weight of the wet fabric when lifting it out of the water. A wet woollen throw is heavy and the fibres are vulnerable to stretching.

Drying without shrinking ¶

Never tumble dry a woollen throw. The combination of heat and mechanical agitation is what causes felting. Lay the throw flat on a clean surface or a drying rack, reshape it gently to its original dimensions while it's still damp, and let it air dry away from direct heat or sunlight. Direct sunlight can fade natural dyes over time.

Drying flat takes longer than hanging, but hanging a wet throw puts strain on the fibres and can cause the piece to stretch unevenly. In a well-ventilated room, a throw dried flat is usually ready within 24 hours.

Storage between seasons ¶

Store woollen throws folded in a breathable cotton bag or pillowcase rather than a sealed plastic bag. Wool needs a small amount of airflow to stay fresh. A cedar block or a sachet of dried lavender placed nearby will deter moths without the chemical smell of mothballs.

Before storing for summer, make sure the throw is clean. Moths are attracted to natural fibres that carry traces of body oils or food. A clean throw stored properly should come out of storage in the same condition it went in.

The herringbone throw currently in stock is a British wool and lambswool blend. It's machine washable on a wool cycle and gets noticeably softer after the first few washes. If you have questions about caring for a specific piece, ask when you're in the shop.