There's a few things to consider when owning, and caring for woollen skivvies, jumpers and socks. The best part is, they rarely smell, so you don't really need to wash them as often as your other undergarments.
However when it does seem like time for a freshen up these pieces should be washed with a special wool detergent (as wool is a protein fibre) and ideally by hand. Your new pieces shouldn’t shrink at all if you follow the care label's instructions correctly.
While wet, I like to gently pull my skivvies back into shape and dry them flat on a clothes horse near the heater. Usually I’ll put them out overnight and then rotate them so the other side faces up in the morning. If it’s a nice day outside is great but make sure to bring them inside before it gets dark and cold.
Sometimes whether you spy them or not, moths can find their way to your beloved wool pieces and have a little snack. This may not be noticeable until it has been washed.
There’s a few things I do regularly to prevent moths. Firstly, I shake out, or lint roll clothes after each wear to get off any loose hair, crumbs, or skin. I then usually spray it with a clothes freshener, and either air over night, or fold and put away in drawers. I try not to leave my wools sitting in the dirty clothes basket, usually washing straight away if can.
Once or twice a week both at home and in the studio, I spray a special moth spray over my clothes and fabrics. I like the one from gram, but you can probably make your own. It'll not only keep them away, but makes my clothes smell fresh, is a good room neutraliser, and wakes you up all at the same time!
To keep my woollen garments safe and fresh over the warmer months I make sure they are washed and folded at the end of winter. I like to keep them safely stored in pillowcases with soap or dried lavender tucked away between them for extra freshness. For extra security it is worth stashing them in a box till you need to pull them out for those crisper days.
Text from the June 2022, Part 2 Newsletter, read in full here.
Images by Zoe Baumgartner of Mara featuring the Merino Raglan Skivvy in Caramel.
