The Woollen Care Habits Many of Us Get Wrong

Chandigarh, December 29, 2025: Winter wardrobes are built around cosy sweaters, scarves and blankets, yet many woollens don’t retain their softness or shape beyond a few seasons. The reason often lies not in how frequently these garments are worn, but in everyday care habits shaped by long-held beliefs around washing, drying and storage. If this sounds familiar, you may be unknowingly following one of the many wool care myths that quietly take a toll on winter wear, said Sandeep Naik, Global Head- R&D for Personal Care and Home Care, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd

When Care Becomes the Culprit

Wool is a natural fibre with unique properties like being breathable, resilient and temperature-regulating, but it behaves very differently from cotton or synthetic fabrics. Wool is prone to damage from heat, friction and chemical-heavy cleaners. Repeated exposure to these stressors can gradually weaken the fibre structure, leading to shrinkage, stiffness and loss of shape over time. Woollens don’t need to be washed after every use because the fibres naturally resist odours and dirt. After wearing, simply let them air out to keep them fresh and maintain their shape.

The Over-Washing Trap

Woollens don’t need washing after every wear as wool naturally resists odours due to its unique chemical structure. Over-washing makes fibres rough and less elastic. Most wool garments can go up to 5 or more wears, depending on activity and environment. Most woollens are best hand-washed in cold water (20°C - 30°C or below) for better control, or washed on a gentle/wool machine cycle. Always check care labels first, they specify safe temperatures and whether machine washing is suitable. Wash only when necessary to preserve softness, shape and longevity.

Machine Washing Isn’t the Enemy

Another persistent myth is that wool should never be machine washed. While hand washing is gentle, damage is more often caused by excessive agitation and high temperatures than by machines themselves. Wool fibres have microscopic scales that can interlock under heat and friction, leading to shrinkage. Many people are unsure whether woollens can be safely washed in front-load or top-load machines. The key is choosing the right cycle, use the wool or gentle cycle in front-load machines, and the delicate, low-agitation cycle in top-load machines. Always wash in cold water (20°C - 30°C), place woollens in mesh bags and remove them immediately after the cycle to prevent stretching and maintain shape.

Why Detergent Choice Matters

Regular detergents are formulated for tougher, everyday fabrics and can be harsh on wool’s protein-based fibres. Repeated use of strong detergents can weaken fibres, reduce softness and shorten a garment’s lifespan. Mild, wool-specific detergents having pH-neutral, no-soda formula help preserve fibre integrity by cleaning effectively without stripping away essential oils. Detergents like Godrej Ezee have such formulations to gently clean delicate winter wear that prevents damage while keeping fabrics soft and fresh.

Dry Cleaning and Storage: The Silent Damage

Many people assume dry cleaning is the safest option for woollens, but experts warn that frequent exposure to harsh chemicals can reduce softness and durability over time. Damage often occurs outside washing—hanging heavy knits, storing them in plastic covers, or packing them away unwashed at season’s end can cause stretching, odours, yellowing and pest damage. Woollens are best stored folded, either in vacuum bags for space-saving protection or in breathable cotton or wool bags, layered with tissue paper and natural repellents like neem or lavender to prevent moth damage.

Modern lifestyles further intensify these issues. Shorter winters, busy routines and convenience-driven habits often result in frequent wash–wear cycles in a short span, increasing fibre stress. In most cases, wool damage does not occur in a single wash, but through small, everyday habits repeated over time. Understanding how wool behaves differently from regular clothing is key to keeping winter wear soft, well-shaped and long-lasting across seasons.