Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => All Other Gear => Topic started by: TriggerMike on January 12, 2015, 04:30:32 PM

Title: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: TriggerMike on January 12, 2015, 04:30:32 PM: 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 (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?
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: MtnMuley on January 12, 2015, 04:39:17 PM: 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.
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: JPhelps on January 12, 2015, 04:49:00 PM: I just wash and dry mine with everything else. I've used smart wool, icebreaker and Sitka and all have held up fine.
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: KFhunter on January 12, 2015, 04:57:26 PM: woolite dark

http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123065881 (http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123065881)
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: hughjorgan on January 12, 2015, 05:03:15 PM: 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.
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: pd on January 12, 2015, 05:18:45 PM: 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.
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: MtnMuley on January 12, 2015, 05:25:46 PM: Quote from: pd on January 12, 2015, 05:18:45 PM
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
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: HawkCreek on January 12, 2015, 05:55:55 PM: 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.
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: jackelope on January 12, 2015, 06:03:30 PM: Quote from: MtnMuley on January 12, 2015, 05:25:46 PM
Quote from: pd on January 12, 2015, 05:18:45 PM
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

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

:chuckle:
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: Gutpile on January 12, 2015, 08:12:26 PM: 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
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on January 12, 2015, 08:18:11 PM: Delicate wash hang to dry
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: Firedogg on January 12, 2015, 08:19:51 PM: In the washer on hot... Then the dryer... Hand them down to the grand kids... Buy new wool for next season. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: 300rum on January 13, 2015, 09:39:29 AM: 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.
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: Labs07 on January 13, 2015, 09:48:53 AM: I have my wool gear dry cleaned at the end of every season then store it.
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: pilebuck on January 13, 2015, 09:59:02 AM: Never take the handlebars off only from July 5 and put them back on Sept 5 :chuckle:
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: Dhoey07 on January 13, 2015, 10:09:27 AM: I never wash my wool, but I've also had a pair or two chewed on by mice
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: 7mmfan on January 13, 2015, 10:38:24 AM: 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.
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: BeWitty on January 13, 2015, 11:11:33 AM: 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.
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: calledinsick on January 13, 2015, 11:30:33 AM: Woolite by hand. wool has natural scent lock and does not need to be laundered for odor.
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on January 13, 2015, 12:47:23 PM: I hang mine outside for a week or two, let the rain wash it.
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: TriggerMike on January 13, 2015, 04:16:01 PM: Thanks for the replies and info everyone! Anyone ever try baking soda in cold water? Was told this works pretty good on wool.
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: JimmyHoffa on January 13, 2015, 04:18:16 PM: Quote from: STIKNSTRINGBOW on January 13, 2015, 12:47:23 PM
I hang mine outside for a week or two, let the rain wash it.
:yeah:
actually works pretty good.
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: BiggLuke on January 13, 2015, 04:35:19 PM: 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.
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on January 13, 2015, 04:38:05 PM: Quote from: JimmyHoffa on January 13, 2015, 04:18:16 PM
Quote from: STIKNSTRINGBOW on January 13, 2015, 12:47:23 PM
I hang mine outside for a week or two, let the rain wash it.
:yeah:
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...
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: deerslyr on January 13, 2015, 04:49:49 PM: 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.
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: pd on January 13, 2015, 09:02:17 PM: Quote from: Labs07 on January 13, 2015, 09:48:53 AM
I have my wool gear dry cleaned at the end of every season then store it.

:tup:
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: Stein on January 13, 2015, 09:29:20 PM: Quote from: MtnMuley on January 12, 2015, 04:39:17 PM
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.

:yeah:

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.
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: Jingles on January 13, 2015, 09:40:55 PM: Washing machine cool water hang to dry
Title: Re: How do you wash your wool gear?
Post by: TriggerMike on January 16, 2015, 05:07:46 PM: 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.