How do you wash your wool gear?

[TriggerMike]

I apologize if there is already threads on this topic, which I'm sure there are. I searched and came up with nothing. With that being said, I have a pair of wool pants and a wool jacket that I've had for over 10 years and the only time they've ever been washed was a single trip to the dry cleaners a few years ago. Also, I recently acquired a Firstlite Merino shirt and a pair of boxers and want to eventually wear nothing but wool for hunting. I use Wildlife Research Centers liquid clothing wash (http://wildlife.com/Hunting-Scent-Elimination-Product_Details.php?Scent-Killer-Liquid-Clothing-Wash-4) for my other hunting gear and it works well but I can't find any info on whether it's wool safe or not. The firstlite clothing is expensive so I'm wanting to take good care of it as far as what cleaning methods/products to use. I'm looking for scent free and no UV brighteners if possible. So, how do you guys prefer to wash/ take care of your wool gear?

[MtnMuley]

You're fine washing merino in that. On gentle. I have friends that wash theirs in their normal laundry and it seems to be fine. I always let air dry though.

[JPhelps]

I just wash and dry mine with everything else. I've used smart wool, icebreaker and Sitka and all have held up fine.

[KFhunter]

woolite dark



http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123065881

[hughjorgan]

I haven't had any problems washing my first lite clothing. Read the washing directions on the tag for each garment. I usually wash on cold and dry on a low heat.

[pd]

How to properly wash woolen hunting clothes?  Don't.

Seriously.  There really isn't a need to wash your woolens.  But if they need a thorough cleaning, let your dry cleaner do it.  A trip to the dry cleaner every 5 years or so is fine.

Black woolite works fine if you have to do it a home, but that should be the exception, not the rule.

[MtnMuley]

How to properly wash woolen hunting clothes?  Don't.

Seriously.  There really isn't a need to wash your woolens.  But if they need a thorough cleaning, let your dry cleaner do it.  A trip to the dry cleaner every 5 years or so is fine.

Black woolite works fine if you have to do it a home, but that should be the exception, not the rule.

Pretty sure he's talking about base and mid layers made of merino. After 5 years of not washing them, you wouldn't be invited back to my camp

[HawkCreek]

I just throw my Filson base layers in the wash machine on gentle and then let them air dry overnight.

For outer garments the best way to wash them is with snow...

Seriously! Take them out on a cold day (powdery fine snow works best) when the snow isn't sloppy and walk over the garments for a while. Then flip them over and repeat. When you're done shake as much snow out as you can and then take them inside and hang until dry. I read that in a old book years ago and tried it on a blanket and it works quite well.

[jackelope]

How to properly wash woolen hunting clothes?  Don't.

Seriously.  There really isn't a need to wash your woolens.  But if they need a thorough cleaning, let your dry cleaner do it.  A trip to the dry cleaner every 5 years or so is fine.

Black woolite works fine if you have to do it a home, but that should be the exception, not the rule.

Pretty sure he's talking about base and mid layers made of merino. After 5 years of not washing them, you wouldn't be invited back to my camp

 
I don't care how good a friends we are.

 

[Gutpile]

I'm in the minority but I rarely wash my wools. If I do it's on cold and drip dry and I make sure no other person in the house (female) will throw it in the dryer because they need the washer.

I honestly barely ever wash wools though

[Skyvalhunter]

Delicate wash hang to dry

[Firedogg]

In the washer on hot... Then the dryer... Hand them down to the grand kids... Buy new wool for next season. 

[300rum]

I have a wool setting so I wash them on that.  I dry them outside if the weather is o.k. or hang them inside on chairs/etc.  It takes a good day to dry them, turning them inside out overnight. 

I have had zero issues doing this, no shrinking, nothing.  I have washed Merino this way, military surplus this way and I wash it after every single trip when I get back home. 

[Labs07]

I have my wool gear dry cleaned at the end of every season then store it.

[pilebuck]

Never take the handlebars off only from July 5 and put them back on Sept 5 

[Dhoey07]

I never wash my wool, but I've also had a pair or two  chewed on by mice

[7mmfan]

As has been said, you can wash merino just fine, use the scent killer detergent even, no biggy. I do it on cold/gentle cycle and dry on low and have never had any problems. Been doing it with my smartwool baselayers for years.

[BeWitty]

Nikwax Wool Wash works great. $10 on Amazon. I use about 1/2 the recommended amount so it lasts a while. I only wash my base layer merino 1-2 times a year.

[calledinsick]

Woolite  by hand.   wool has natural scent lock and does not need to be laundered for odor.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I hang mine outside for a week or two, let the rain wash it.

[TriggerMike]

Thanks for the replies and info everyone! Anyone ever try baking soda in cold water? Was told this works pretty good on wool.

[JimmyHoffa]

I hang mine outside for a week or two, let the rain wash it.

actually works pretty good. 

[BiggLuke]

Use woolite brand laundry soap ....
Cold water cycle only.
DO NOT DRY IN DRYER!

Let it drip dry in front of fireplace or on line outside... when the weathers nicer.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I hang mine outside for a week or two, let the rain wash it.

actually works pretty good.

Especially if I get a chance to "smoke" it.
Nothing like line dried clothes with a lttle smoke scent.
But that is how I ended up with kids...

[deerslyr]

I wash my first lite kanabs in cold water and hang dry. I had to do it 7 or 8 times over a 4 week period this year and they held up fine.

[pd]

I have my wool gear dry cleaned at the end of every season then store it.

 

[Stein]

You're fine washing merino in that. On gentle. I have friends that wash theirs in their normal laundry and it seems to be fine. I always let air dry though.

 

Except for my Stormy Kromer hat that says dry clean only.

I usually turn them inside out on gentle cycle in cold water and air dry.  No problem.

[Jingles]

Washing machine cool water hang to dry

[TriggerMike]

Will vinegar harm the firstlite merino? I ask because I usually throw in a cup of white vinegar when I wash my hunting clothes during the season and at the end. The Ellensburg heat in September can make you sweat pretty bad and it helps to neutralize odor. My clothes are a combo of under armour type stuff, cotton, polyester and now merino. Everything but the merino has been tested and is fine in the vinegar.