Care instructions for wool fabrics, loden, linen, virgin wool and natural fabrics
Natural fabrics such as wool, broadcloth, loden, linen, virgin wool and merino wool stay beautiful for longer with gentle care. Many high-quality natural fabrics do not need frequent washing. Airing, brushing and careful handling are often enough.
Always follow the information provided for the particular fabric. The following advice gives general recommendations for fabric sold by the metre and does not replace an individual care test.
Caring for natural fabrics
Natural fabrics such as wool, linen, virgin wool, merino wool, loden and broadcloth are more sensitive to heat, friction and incorrect drying than many synthetic fibres. In return, they offer particular benefits: a natural feel, graceful ageing and often much less frequent washing.
Gentle care is especially important for high-quality fabrics. Airing, careful brushing or gently treating individual spots is often sufficient.
Fabric type | Gentle care | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
Wool fabric | Air, brush carefully and wash very gently only when needed | Heat, high spin speeds, wringing and tumble drying |
Loden / wool broadcloth | Air, shake out, brush gently; wash cold or on a wool cycle only if necessary | Wringing, heavy friction and direct heat |
Linen | Finish raw edges before washing, wash gently and dry in shade | Strong sunlight, unnecessary strain and unfinished cut edges |
Virgin wool / merino wool | Wash sparingly, air frequently and use a wool cycle if needed | Tumble drying, hot water and high spin speeds |
Washing and caring for wool fabrics
Wool can regenerate itself to a certain extent. Wool fabrics should therefore be washed as infrequently as possible. Thorough airing or careful brushing is often sufficient.
When washing is necessary, we recommend a very gentle wool cycle and a suitable wool detergent. Keep the temperature low. Avoid high spin speeds, wringing and drying in direct sunlight.
Drying wool fabrics
Wool fabrics are best dried flat to prevent their own weight from distorting them. Avoid direct sunlight, radiator heat and tumble dryers.
Washing broadcloth and loden
Broadcloth and loden are usually made of wool. Their processing makes them denser and more durable than many other wool fabrics. They should nevertheless be cared for especially gently.
Washing is often unnecessary. Airing, shaking out or careful brushing is usually enough. If loden must be washed, do so very carefully, cold or on a wool cycle, with wool detergent and without spinning.
Drying loden
Do not wring loden. Lay the fabric flat to dry. Avoid direct sunlight, strong heat and tumble dryers.
Washing linen and preparing it for sewing
Finish the raw edges of linen before washing to prevent fraying. If the finished garment will be washed, prewashing before cutting is often advisable because linen may shrink in its first wash.
Undyed linen can generally be washed at higher temperatures than coloured or dyed linen. For many linen fabrics, 40°C is a gentle choice. Depending on the fabric, undyed linen may also be washed at 60°C.
Washing fine linen
Fine linen should be washed especially gently, preferably on a delicate cycle. Avoid drying linen in strong sunlight, which can stress the colour and fibres.
Caring for virgin wool and merino wool
Virgin wool and merino wool are high-quality natural fibres. Here too, wash less and air more. Merino wool in particular often absorbs odours slowly and can be freshened by airing.
If washing is necessary, be very gentle: use cold water or a wool cycle, wool detergent, no high spin speed and no tumble dryer. Dry the fabric flat.
Washing merino wool
Wash merino wool only when necessary. Try thorough airing first. When washing, use a suitable wool detergent, a low temperature and a very gentle cycle.
Caring for wool muslin
Wool muslin is soft, supple and more delicate than heavy wool fabrics. Handle it with particular care. Airing is often enough.
If washing is necessary, use a very gentle cold wash or wool cycle without spinning. Wool muslin should also be dried flat and kept out of the tumble dryer.
Before sewing: preparing fabrics
Many natural fabrics may shrink slightly in their first wash. If the finished item will be washed later, we recommend pretreating the fabric accordingly before sewing.
Prewashing is particularly useful for linen. For wool fabrics, loden and broadcloth, first consider whether washing is necessary. Steaming, airing or careful brushing is often preferable.
Check before cutting
- Is the fabric washable for the intended garment?
- Will the finished item be washed regularly?
- Should the fabric be allowed to shrink before cutting?
- Do you have a sample for testing?
- Are there special instructions on the product page?
Drying, ironing and storing natural fabrics
Drying wool fabrics, loden and virgin wool
Wool fabrics, loden, virgin wool and merino wool should not be tumble dried. Heat and movement can alter the fibres, distort the fabric or encourage felting. Drying flat in a well-ventilated place is preferable.
Drying linen
Linen dries well in the open air. Avoid strong, direct sunlight, which can fade colours and stress fibres. An airy, shaded place is usually better.
Ironing and steaming
Many fabrics should lie smooth before cutting. With wool, loden and delicate fabrics, use steam, heat and pressure cautiously. Test ironing or steaming on a small corner or sample first.
Storage
Store natural fabrics in a dry, clean and well-ventilated place. Avoid direct sunlight, damp and strong heat.
Frequently asked questions about natural fabric care
How often should wool fabrics be washed?
Wash wool fabrics as infrequently as possible. Thorough airing or careful brushing is often enough. Wash only when necessary.
Can loden be washed?
Loden can be washed very carefully, but should not go into the washing machine unnecessarily often. If washing is needed, use cold water or a wool cycle, wool detergent, no spinning and flat drying.
How do you wash linen correctly?
Finish linen’s raw edges before washing to prevent fraying. Many linens can be washed at 40°C; undyed linen may tolerate a higher temperature depending on the fabric. Wash fine linen especially gently.
Should I prewash linen before sewing?
Prewashing linen is often useful if the finished garment will be washed. Linen may shrink in its first wash. Before cutting, consider how you will care for the finished item.
Can wool fabrics go in the tumble dryer?
No. Wool fabrics should not be tumble dried. Heat and movement can distort or felt them. Drying flat in an airy place is preferable.
Why should natural fabrics not be dried in the sun?
Direct sunlight can fade colours and stress fibres. An airy, shaded place is preferable.
How do you care for merino wool?
Wash merino wool as infrequently as possible. Airing is often enough. If washing is necessary, use cold water or a wool cycle, wool detergent, no high spin speed and no tumble dryer.
Which is better: washing, airing or brushing?
For many wool fabrics, loden and virgin wool fabrics, airing or careful brushing is often preferable. Wash only when necessary and when suitable for the particular fabric.
