Washing natural wool/silk clothing correctly – dos and don'ts

Wool or wool/silk clothing is particularly skin-friendly, moisture-balancing and temperature-regulating – but also more delicate than conventional textiles. Proper care is essential to ensure that your natural clothing remains soft, dimensionally stable and functional for a long time.

We'll show you how to wash wool/silk correctly – with dos and don'ts for everyday use.

Can I wash wool and wool/silk in the washing machine?

DO:
Yes, you can wash wool and wool/silk in the washing machine – but only on a genuine wool cycle (not a gentle cycle).
The wool cycle is particularly gentle: it keeps the temperature constant and moves the clothes only slightly. Use a maximum temperature of 30 °C and set the spin speed to a maximum of 400 revolutions. Please always follow the washing instructions on our products.

DON'T
Avoid using the gentle cycle, as this often involves stronger drum movements. Programmes such as ‘easy care’ or ‘mix’ are also not suitable – they damage the delicate fibres through friction or sudden temperature changes.

Can I wash wool and wool/silk with normal detergent?

DO:
Only use a special wool detergent with a pH value below 7. These detergents are tailored to the needs of animal fibres such as wool or silk and clean gently without attacking the protein structure of the fibre. You can order our recommended detergent here.

DON'T
Avoid normal heavy-duty or colour detergents – they contain enzymes (proteases) that can break down wool. Fabric softeners also have no place in wool washing: they form a film on the fibre and destroy the natural properties of the wool.

How often should you wash woollen clothing, e.g. a woollen jumper?

DO:
Wool has a self-cleaning effect – this means that regular airing is usually sufficient to neutralise odours. We recommend brushing wool clothing with a brush if it is slightly dirty and to keep it soft and fluffy. A jumper made of wool or wool/silk should only be washed if it is visibly dirty or has been heavily used. This protects the fibres and preserves their function.

DON'T:
Do not wring or rub the garment, as this damages the fibres and leads to deformation. Avoid high temperatures and abrupt temperature changes when washing. Direct sunlight should also be avoided when drying, as it can fade colours and damage the fibre structure.

Conclusion

With the right washing programme, a suitable detergent and a little care, your woollen or wool/silk garments will remain beautiful, soft and functional for a long time. At ENGEL, we believe that less is often more – because in many cases, natural fibres clean themselves almost automatically. This allows you to care for your favourite garments in a way that is both sustainable and skin-friendly.

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