Wool-silk is a popular fabric because of its softness and breathability. Many people are discovering this fine material and increasingly have wool-silk shirts hanging in their wardrobes. And we understand that all too well! This wonderful material keeps us wonderfully warm in winter and does not itch. But... it does require special care. One wrong wash and your favourite shirt can shrink or lose its shape. Here are the handy tips to keep your wool-silk clothes in top condition. Because a washed shirt that you can no longer wear is, of course, the least durable thing that can happen to you.
What is wool-silk?
Wool-Silk is a combination of merino wool and silk, creating a unique fabric with both the benefits of wool and silk. Merino wool comes from the merino sheep and is known for its fine and soft fibres, while silk provides a luxurious sheen and extra softness. This combination makes wool-silk a comfortable material, perfect for directly on the skin. Moreover, wool-silk is biodegradable and needs less frequent washing due to its natural antibacterial properties. And yet, you need to know more about the material so that you can make a better choice when buying it and do extra efforts afterwards to keep your purchase looking great. So, washing tips! Thank us later!
Where does wool-silk come from?
Wool-silk is a combination of merino wool and silk. Merino wool comes from the merino sheep, a breed originally from Spain but nowadays kept worldwide, especially in Australia and New Zealand. Silk is produced by silkworms and is known for its lustre and softness. So while wool-silk is a popular material, there are many concerns about animal welfare in its production. Silk production is anything but animal-friendly, often the silkworms that produce the silk are cooked alive for it. Find out more in this article on silk. But much also goes wrong in wool production. Practices such as mulesing, where skin is cut away without anaesthetic to prevent infections, are harmful to the animals. Stop buying wool-silk altogether? Sure, there are alternatives such as cotton, bamboo or synthetic materials, but each material has its pros and cons, also in terms of environmental and animal friendliness.
If you do choose wool-silk, buy clothes from better brands and with certifications such as the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), GOTS and ZQ Merino, which have strict criteria for animal welfare and environmental friendliness. The brand Dilling and the Dutch webshop Sheep's clothing are known for selling more sustainable wool-silk basics.
Shaved merino sheep and a wool-silk shirt.
Wash wool-silk less often and air more
Good news: wool-silk does not need to be washed as often as it naturally repels odours and bacteria. Often it is enough to air your wool-silk clothes for a while after wearing them. Hang it outside or in a well-ventilated room to freshen it up. Nice and easy besides. Still, your shirt will have to be washed once in a while, for example if you have unpleasant sweaty odours or a dirty stain. Bummer, yes. But don't worry, we have tips on how to wash this delicate fabric safely, because it needs some extra attention.
Always use cold water for washing
When it's time to wash your wool-silk, always use cold water. Hot or warm water can damage the fibres and cause shrinkage. Cold water helps preserve the shape and quality of the wool and silk, ensuring a longer life of your clothes.
Choose ecological detergents for wool-silk
Use mild, eco-friendly detergents specially designed for wool and silk. You can recognise eco-friendly detergents by their good label. They are gentle on the fibres and do not contain harsh chemicals that can damage the fabric. Avoid fabric softeners and bleaches, as these can harm wool and silk. You can read more about eco-friendly cleaning products in this article. We have listed better cleaning brands including laundry products.
Merino wool and wool-silk clothes can go in a washing machine, but only if you use the right programme!
Hand wash versus machine wash
Hand washing is often the safest option for wool-silk. Fill a sink with cold water and add a small amount of wool detergent. Soak the garment for a few minutes, rub gently to remove dirt, then rinse well with cold water. Hand washing minimises the risk of damaging the fibres. And hand washing in the machine? You can do that too with the right settings! If so, always use the wool or silk programme with a low temperature and low rpm. Place the garment in a laundry bag to provide extra protection against friction and pulling.
The right way to dry and store wool-silk
Wool-silk should always be dried lying down to prevent it from losing its shape. Lay the garment on a towel and roll up the towel to squeeze out excess water. Then lay it flat on a dry towel or drying rack. Avoid direct sunlight and heat sources, such as radiators. When not wearing wool-silk, store it lying down in a cool, dry place to avoid moths and other pests.
Be frugal with your wool-silk basics!
In short, wool-silk is a beautiful material that is often mentioned in the same breath with a sustainable wardrobe. If you choose wool-silk basics from better fashion brands and then carefully maintain your garments so that you can enjoy them for years to come, this is definitely true! Have a question or a good laundry tip? Let us know! You can get in touch with the editors via the follow and contact buttons at the bottom of this page.
More sustainable tips from thegreenlist.nl
- You can find everything about washing in this handy article! Spoiler: the choice of your detergent has less influence than you think.
- Environmentally friendly cleaning: This is how to get your washing machine nice and clean again!
- All about wax strips we have also sorted out for you. Read on quickly to find out what we found out about it.
Sources: COSH, Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl, sheep: Wardmediauk (Pexels).
