Woolens

Wool sweaters do not need to be washed after each wear. If some care is taken, washing can be avoided. For example, wear a light t-shirt under your sweater to protect it from body odors or hang it outside for 15-30 minutes to freshen it up from smells of food or smoke. Spot cleaning can be great too!

For woolens in particular, no rinse is an important concept. Wool fibre has barbs on it that have a tendency to link together when agitated or washed in the wrong temperature of water. This leads to "felting" and shrinking. Using a no rinse product ensures that the water temperature is not being changed between the wash and rinse water. It also means that you are handling the fibres less and decreasing the danger of "felting" it. The lanolin in Eucalan is a natural conditioner for wool, so it helps to increase the loft of the fibre and decrease the itchiness of wool by relaxing the barbs.

When a label says "Dry Clean", try Eucalan on an inconspicuous spot and test for colourfastness. If it is colourfast, launder according to our handwashing instructions. When a label says "Dry Clean Only" it is best to use a reputable Wet Cleaner. Many people have cleaned garments that are labeled "Dry Clean Only" successfully when the dry cleaner has declined to launder the item.

• Select Spin or Hand Wash/Delicate cycle. Cold or tepid water.
• Add Eucalan to the softener drawer.

• Use 15-30mL/1-2 Tbsp. per load (adjust amount based on size of load).
• Load articles into machine and start cycle.
• Follow drying instructions below.

• Select gentle cycle and add cold water.
• Add 2 or 3 capfuls of Eucalan to machine.
• Roughly use 5mL/1 tsp per 4L/1G of water (more for heavily soiled items).
• Stop machine. Load washables and squeeze gently to saturate.
• Allow to soak 15 - 30 min. (minimum).
• Gently squeeze articles again.
• By-pass rinse cycle.
• Spin water out.
• Follow drying instructions below.

• Fill basin with tepid water (room temperature water, not hot and not cold).
• Add Eucalan to basin (1 tsp. of Eucalan per 1 gallon of water).
• Insert article to be washed and soak for 15 min. (minimum).
• Squeeze article gently to incorporate water and soap through fibres.
• No need to rinse.

• Never put wool in a dryer.
• After washing, squeeze the water out of your garment and roll it in a clean dry towel to remove excess moisture.
• You may alternatively spin the water out in your washing machine.
• Afterwards, "block" the item on a drying rack or a dry towel. Blocking is simply shaping the garment back into its original shape.
• Allow to dry away from direct sunlight or heat.

• Start by ensuring you are using a clean iron!
• Cashmere or wool: Use the wool setting on your iron and with a pressing cloth, iron on the wrong side (the inside) of the fabric.

Even high quality cashmere, wool etc. may pill. Pills are the little balls of fibre that start to gather on your sweater typically in areas where there is friction. These can be quickly removed with a small hand held electric de-fuzzer, a sweater stone, or if you've got a lot of time, by picking them off. This keeps your sweater looking fresh and new.

When you are finished wearing your cashmere, wool etc. for the season, it is important to put it away clean and in a sealed container if possible. Pests such as moths like body smells and will quickly eat a hole in your treasured garment if not cleaned before storing. Also, body oils, perfumes and deodorants can discolour fabric over time.

• Wash the garment using Eucalan's EUCALYPTUS or LAVENDER scent.
• Allow to dry completely then wrap item in several sheets of tissue paper and store.
• In addition, you can purchase sachets of lavender or cedar disks to put in the container with your garment.
• If you have concerns that moths may be in your woolens, place the article in a plastic bag and put in your freezer for 2 days to kill moths and larvae.