Care Instructions for Wool Fabric, Loden, Linen, Virgin Wool and Natural Fabrics
Natural fabrics such as wool, wool fabric, cloth loden, loden, linen, virgin wool and merino wool stay beautiful for a particularly long time when they are cared for gently. Many high-quality natural fabrics do not need to be washed often. Airing, brushing out and careful spot treatment are often enough.
Please always also check the information provided for the individual fabric. The following notes are general recommendations for fabrics sold by the metre and do not replace an individual care test.
Caring for natural fabrics correctly
Natural fabrics such as wool, linen, virgin wool, merino wool, loden and cloth loden react more sensitively to heat, friction and incorrect drying than many synthetic fibres. At the same time, they have special advantages: they feel natural, age beautifully and often need to be washed much less frequently.
Gentle care is especially important for high-quality fabrics. Often it is enough to air the fabric, brush it carefully or treat only individual spots gently.
Fabric type | Gentle care | Important to avoid |
|---|---|---|
Wool fabric | Air, brush carefully, wash very gently only if needed | Heat, strong spinning, wringing, tumble dryer |
Loden / cloth loden | Air, shake out, brush carefully, wash cold or on a wool cycle only if necessary | Wringing, strong friction, direct heat |
Linen | Finish edges before washing, wash gently, dry in the shade | Direct sun, unnecessary heavy strain, unfinished cut edges |
Virgin wool / merino wool | Wash rarely, air often, use wool cycle if needed | Tumble dryer, hot water, strong spinning |
Washing wool fabric and caring for wool fabric correctly
Wool has the ability to regenerate itself to a certain extent. Wool fabrics should therefore be washed as rarely as possible. In many cases, it is enough to air the fabric well or brush it carefully.
If washing is necessary, we recommend a very gentle wool cycle with a suitable wool detergent. The temperature should remain low. Wool fabric should not be spun strongly, wrung out or dried in direct sunlight.
Drying wool fabric
Wool fabric is best dried flat. This prevents the fabric from stretching under its own weight. Direct sun, radiator heat and tumble dryers should be avoided.
Washing cloth loden and loden
Cloth loden and loden are usually made of wool and are denser and more durable due to their processing than many other wool fabrics. For this reason, they should be cared for especially gently.
Washing is often not necessary at all. Airing, shaking out or careful brushing is often enough. If loden has to be washed, it should only be washed very carefully, cold or on a wool cycle, with wool detergent and without spinning.
Drying loden
Loden should not be wrung out. To dry it, lay the fabric flat. Direct sun, strong heat and tumble dryers should be avoided.
Washing linen and preparing linen fabric correctly
Linen should be finished before processing so that the edges do not fray. If the later garment is to be washed, prewashing before cutting is often useful, because linen can shrink during the first wash.
Natural-coloured linen can usually be washed at a higher temperature than colourful or dyed linen. For many linen fabrics, 40 degrees is a good and gentle choice. Depending on the fabric, natural-coloured linen can also be washed at 60 degrees.
Washing fine linen
Fine linen should be washed especially gently, preferably on a delicate cycle. Linen should not dry in full sun, as strong sunlight can stress colour and fibres.
Caring for virgin wool and merino wool
Virgin wool and merino wool are high-quality natural fibres. The same applies here: wash less, air more. Merino wool in particular often absorbs odours only slowly and can become fresher again through airing.
If washing is necessary, it should be done very gently: cold or on a wool cycle, with wool detergent, without strong spinning and without a tumble dryer. The fabric should be dried flat.
Washing merino wool
Merino wool should only be washed when it is really necessary. Thorough airing is worthwhile first. When washing, a suitable wool detergent, low temperature and a very gentle wash cycle are important.
Caring for wool muslin
Wool muslin is soft, flexible and more delicate than heavy wool fabrics. It should therefore be treated especially carefully. Airing is often enough.
If washing is necessary, it should only be done very gently, cold or on a wool cycle and without spinning. Wool muslin should also be dried flat and should not be put in the tumble dryer.
Before sewing: preparing fabrics
Many natural fabrics may shrink slightly during the first wash. If the finished piece is to be washed later, we recommend pretreating the fabric accordingly before sewing.
Prewashing is especially useful for linen before processing. With wool fabrics, loden and cloth loden, it should first be carefully considered whether washing is really necessary. Often steaming, airing or careful brushing is the better choice.
Check before cutting
- Is the fabric washable for the later garment?
- Will the finished piece be washed regularly later?
- Should the fabric be allowed to shrink before cutting?
- Is there a sample piece available for testing?
- Are there special notes on the product page?
Drying, ironing and storing natural fabrics
Drying wool fabric, loden and virgin wool
Wool fabric, loden, virgin wool and merino wool should not go into the tumble dryer. Heat and movement can change the fibres, distort the fabric or encourage felting. Drying flat in an airy place is better.
Drying linen
Linen dries well in the air. Direct, strong sunlight should be avoided because it can fade colours and stress the fibres. An airy, shady place is usually better.
Ironing and steaming
Many fabrics should lie flat before cutting. With wool, loden and delicate fabrics, steam, temperature and pressure should be used carefully. It is best to test ironing or steaming first on a small corner or on a sample piece.
Storage
Natural fabrics should be stored dry, clean and well ventilated. Direct sun, moisture and strong heat should be avoided.
Frequently asked questions about caring for natural fabrics
How often should wool fabric be washed?
Wool fabric should be washed as rarely as possible. Thorough airing or careful brushing is often enough. Washing should only be done when it is really necessary.
Can loden be washed?
Loden can generally be washed very carefully, but it should not be put into the washing machine unnecessarily often. If washing is necessary: cold or wool cycle, with wool detergent, do not spin and dry flat.
How do you wash linen correctly?
Linen should be finished before processing so that the edges do not fray. Many linen fabrics can be washed at 40 degrees, natural-coloured linen sometimes at higher temperatures depending on the fabric. Fine linen should be washed especially gently.
Do I have to prewash linen before sewing?
If the finished garment is to be washed later, prewashing linen is often useful. Linen can shrink during the first wash. Before cutting, you should therefore consider how the finished piece will be cared for later.
Can wool fabric go into the tumble dryer?
No, wool fabric should not go into the tumble dryer. Heat and movement can distort or felt the fabric. Drying flat in an airy place is better.
Why should natural fabrics not be dried in the sun?
Direct sun can fade colours and stress fibres. An airy, shady place is better.
How do you care for merino wool?
Merino wool should be washed as rarely as possible. Airing is often enough. If washing is necessary, use cold water or a wool cycle, wool detergent, no strong spinning and no tumble dryer.
What is better: washing, airing or brushing?
For many wool fabrics, loden fabrics and virgin wool fabrics, airing or careful brushing is often the better choice. Washing should only be done when it is really necessary and the respective fabric is suitable for it.
