8 tips for stain removal and washing wool

Remove the stain as quickly as possible. Try water first. Hold the stain under pressure from the tap, and rinse from the inside out.

Try a stain remover. For stubborn stains you can try a stain remover, but only if the manufacturer states that it can be used on wool. For grease stains, washing-up liquid can be effective. Soak the stain and leave it for a little while. Then rinse by holding the stain under pressure from the tap.

Cannot get the stain out? Do not throw the garment away. If the stain cannot be removed, you can cut it out and darn the hole, or embroider a patch over it.

Before you throw it in the laundry basket: remember that wool garments need washing less often. The most energy-intensive stage in a garment’s life cycle is often wash after wash in hot water. Wool has antibacterial properties that prevent odour and does not need washing often. If you air the garment after each wear, it can go a long time between washes.

Wool garments should not be soaked. It can damage the fibers and also cause discoloration.

Much wool can be machine washed, but use the wool program. Wool garments can pill and shrink if treated too harshly. To make a wool garment last as long as possible, wash it on a wool program at 40 degrees or less, preferably with low or no spin. Put less in the machine than you normally would.

Choose a detergent suitable for wool. Ordinary detergents can damage wool garments, and all wool should be washed with a specialist wool detergent. These are developed for extra gentle treatment.

Skip the tumble dryer. Wool garments should be air dried. Stretch them back into shape before hanging them up. Wet wool stretches easily, so hang heavy wool garments from several points or dry them flat on a rack or towel.