Care: General

Empty pockets

Before storing or washing, empty pockets and remove belts, jewellery and other accessories to avoid sagging and bulging. Store with closures zipped or buttoned.

Brushing

Brush garments lengthwise after wearing to remove surface soil and dust. This also revives the nap of the fabric.

Airing

To remove cigarette or food odours, lay garments flat on a bed or towel for an hour. Woven garments may be hung in the fresh air on a suitable hanger.

Hang wovens, fold knits

Woven garments should be hung on shaped or padded coat hangers. Knitted garments should be gently folded and stored in drawers.

Resting

Rest garments for 24 hours before wearing again. The natural resilience of Merino allows it to shed wrinkles and return to its original shape.

Refreshing

Merino garments can be refreshed after unpacking or wearing by hanging them in a steamy bathroom. Moisture from the steam will remove wrinkles.

Dry away from direct heat

If Merino gets wet, dry the garment at room temperature, away from direct heat or sunlight.

Ironing

Many woollen garments do not require ironing, but very smooth fabrics may look better if pressed. Always use steam when pressing Merino. Set your iron on the wool setting and avoid ironing fabric when it’s totally dry.

Lightweight fabric care

Lighter Merino fabrics may take a little longer to shed their creases. Remove wrinkles by ironing with a damp cloth or steam iron on a warm iron/dot 2 setting.

Long-term storage

Since food stains and body oils attract moths, you should ensure your garment is clean before packing it away in airtight bags or containers. Use mothballs but don’t put them directly on the fabric.

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Care: Interiors

Bedding

All Woolmark bedding products carry special ‘Care’ instructions which, if followed accordingly, will help maintain performance and service through a long lifetime.

Wool bedding can be easily dry cleaned and where, indicated, it may be machine washed and tumble dried. Any item of wool bedding will last longer and look better if it is given periodic airing and cleaning and the immediate removal of spots and stains is maintained.

Interior fabrics

Weekly light vacuuming is desirable and greatly extends the life of any interior wool fabric. Annual or semi-annual cleaning preserves and enhances wool upholstery.

Professional cleaning is recommended however wool upholstery can be effectively cleaned,with caution, by anyone using reputable brands of non-alkaline upholstery shampoo. Manufacturer’s instructions should be carefully followed.

Shampoo solutions should be tested on an inconspicuous part of the furniture. Soap, ammonia, bleach or cleaners intended for hard surfaces should not be used.

Carpets

Wool carpets resist soiling and release dirt easily due to the unique structure of the wool fibre. Wool does not easily attract lint so vacuum cleaning is easier. In wet cleaning, the fibres swell and shrug off the dirt.

The maintenance requirements of various installations are directly affected by the degree and type of traffic and the nature of the cleaning programme.

When the carpet is chosen or specified, the criteria for maintenance requirements and preventive planning must be considered.

Daily cleaning involves vacuuming together with spot and stain removal. Thorough vacuuming removes loose dirt as well as soil particles adhering to the tufts. Spots and stains should be removed as soon as possible.

Pile Lifting is used in conjunction with vacuuming as an aid to dirt and dust removal. Some vacuum machines incorporate a beater bar/brush or beater brush to lift pile. Pile lifting is used in heavy traffic areas about once a month.

Periodic, restorative or corrective cleaning includes weekly, monthly and seasonal cleaning programmes which act to restore carpet appearance. Methods such as hot water injection/extraction, wet shampoo, dry cleaning and dry foam are used for this purpose.

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Care: Stain removal

Merino is naturally stain-resistant and many common stains can be easily removed, but it pays to act quickly to prevent stains from setting into the fabric.

Garments with stubborn stains (including paint, nail polish and dyes) should be taken to the dry cleaner as soon as possible. Otherwise, we recommend you use the following stain removal techniques prior to normal washing.

Alcoholic drinks

Remove excess liquid by gently dabbing with a sponge.

Blood

Quickly dab with a damp sponge to remove excess blood. Then dab very gently with undiluted vinegar followed by cold water.

Burning cigarette

Brush off ash.

Butter and grease

First lightly scrape the surface of the stain to remove any excess oil. Then gently sponge with dry cleaning fluid.

Chewing gum

Scrape off excess gum then sponge with dry cleaning fluid.

Chocolate

Sponge with cold soapy water.

Coffee or tea

Sponge with glycerine. If none available, use cold water.

Egg

Scrape off excess egg and then sponge with cold soapy water.

Food

Place towel under the affected area. Gently rub soda water toward centre of the stain.

Grass

Soap very carefully using a mild tablet soap or flakes, or dab gently with a cloth soaked in methylated spirits.

Ink

Immerse in cold water.

Lipstick

Can often be removed by rubbing white bread over stain with a firm gentle motion.

Make-up or shoe polish

Rub gently with a cloth soaked in turpentine or dry cleaning fluid. Rinse with mild soapy water.

Motor oil or tar

Sponge with dry cleaning fluid.

Mud

Allow to dry, and then brush off excess mud. Sponge from back with cold soapy water.

Red wine

Immerse in cold water.

Urine

Quickly blot the area with a dry sponge to absorb as much excess liquid as possible. Dab very gently with undiluted vinegar followed by cold water.

Wax

Carefully scrape off as much wax as possible with a butter knife. Place blotting paper over the wax and gently iron on wool or dot 2 setting.

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Stain removal: Interiors

Bedding

Stain removal should be prompt to avoid the stain penetrating the fibre and becoming fixed. Liquid stains may be removed by blotting with white paper towels or tissues; solid stains may be removed with a knife or spoon; burn or scorch marks may be removed by brushing with a firm brush.

A stain removal kit should contain white tissues or towels, approved wool detergent, dry cleaning fluid, mineral turpentine or lighter fluid and absorbent powder.

Periodic cleaning is unlikely to be needed more than once a year providing wool bedding has been aired regularly and treated promptly for spots and stains.

When appearance needs to be restored, it is a simple process of following the ‘Care’ instructions about dry cleaning and/or washing.

Interior fabrics

If something should be spilt or dropped on to wool furnishing fabric, it should be removed immediately. Most spots will vanish if they are treated immediately and are not allowed to dry in.

Stain removal should be prompt to avoid the stain penetrating the fibre and becoming fixed. Liquid stains may be removed by blotting with white paper towels or tissues; solid stains may be removed with a knife or spoon; burn or scorch marks may be removed by brushing with a firm brush.

If the stain is difficult to remove, or you are in any doubt about the correct cleaning procedure, a professional cleaner should be called.

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Care: Wash/dry

Washing

With proper care Merino apparel and blankets require cleaning only once or twice a year. Before washing check the care label and wash accordingly.

Hand wash

Hand washing generally applies to knitwear. Use a mild detergent that’s approved for wool according to the instructions with a maximum water temperature of 40°aC. Soak for 3-5 minutes, gently squeezing suds through without twisting or wringing garment. Rinse once in warm water, then in cold water. Gently squeeze out excess water (never wring) and then place between two towels in your washer on short spin cycle. Dry flat away from sunlight and direct heat.

Dry clean

Merino should be dry-cleaned sparingly, otherwise it can go shiny. Once per season is usually adequate. Use a reputable dry cleaner and identify any spots or stains for special treatment.

Machine washable

The broken bar under the wash tub denotes very mild treatment. Use a gentle cycle on your washing machine with a maximum water temperature of 40 Degrees C. This treatment is suitable for Total Easy Care and Easy Care & Wear Merino.

Tumble dry

Merino garments with this icon can be safely tumble dried on the low heat setting. Other Merino fabrics should be dried at room temperature.

Do not bleach

You should never bleach Merino garments as chlorine-based bleach dissolves Merino fibres.

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