[ORRando] Care instructions for Woolistic wool jerseys

Alan Woods alan_woods at comcast.net
Fri Jun 15 15:20:38 PDT 2012


With the arrival of the new Oregon Randonneurs jersey, it is a good time to remind members about how to care for their wool jerseys.

The Woolistic jersey is made of Merino wool that has been treated for easy care. It is a nice garment that features very good workmanship and materials. It is soft to the touch, and comfortable over a wide temperature range. Wool retains heat when moist and resists retention of body odor. All of its attributes are ideal for randonneurs in the northwest.

Merino jerseys must be cared for correctly. If you follow the garment care instructions (see below) you will be able to enjoy your wool jersey for a long time. If you don't, the jersey will shrink or stretch, get moth holes, felt, and will rip at the pocket corners.

NEVER dry a Woolistic jersey in a clothes dryer. NEVER hang a wet jersey to dry it. DO NOT over-stuff your jersey pockets. ALWAYS store a dried wool jersey in a plastic, zip-loc bag to prevent it from getting moth holes.

Please wash your wool jersey before first use. Merino wool gets much softer and elastic after the first wash, so it is best to wash it before using it for the first time. There will be an initial relaxation of the garment of about 3 cm in width.


WOOL JERSEY CARE INSTRUCTIONS (adapted from Woolistic's recommendations).

Woolstic's wool is "Total Easy Care"-treated. It is machine washable. Front loading washing machines are best because they lack a central agitator which damages clothes. Machines with a center agitator can cause holes due to twisting.

Pure Merino wool doesn't have the tendency to retain body odor. Typically, washing is needed after every five or six rides, not after every ride. To increase the life of a Woolistic garment, do not wash garment unless necessary, because washing is hard on wool even treated Merino wool.

When have to clean a wool jersey, here’s the best way to do it, step-by-step:

1) MACHINE WASHING – Woolistic jerseys are machine washable if you follow these instructions:

a. Try to use a washing machine without a central agitator. Front loading washing machines are best because they lack a central agitator which damages clothes. Machines with a center agitator can cause holes due to twisting.

b. Use a small amount of Ivory Snow Liquid. It is endorsed by the Woolmark Co. and can be found all major grocery stores. Do not use Woolite!  Do NOT use a hyper-aggressive detergent (e.g., Tide) because they contain enzymes that breakdown wool fibers and will destroy a Woolistic jersey.

c. Machine wash your merino wool garment BY ITSELF, or with other merino wool garments of a similar color. NEVER machine wash your Merino wool garment with jeans, t-shirts, towels, etc.

d. Use cool water and a gentle machine cycle that is designed for wool (see washing machine instructions).

e. After gentle machine cycle is complete, remove garment from machine and place in sink. DO NOT WRING garment to remove excess water. Instead, press the garment against the sink to squeeze out the water. Squeeze as many times as needed to remove excess water.

f. After most of the water is pressed out, lay the garment on a towel and roll it up and press hard again. The towel will absorb the remainder of the water in the garment.


2) HAND WASHING – Woolistic jerseys can be hand washed if you follow these instructions:

a. Use a small amount of Ivory Snow liquid in cool or lukewarm water in the sink.

b. Gently swish the garment in the water and squeeze repeatedly.

c. DO NOT RUB THE WOOL AGAINST ITSELF!

d. Drain the soapy water and refill the basin with cool water.

e. Rinse garment thoroughly.

f. DO NOT WRING garment to remove water. Instead, press the garment against the sink to squeeze out the water. You can repeat this step as needed.

g. After most of the water is pressed out, lay the garment on a towel and roll it up and press hard again. The towel will absorb the remainder of the water in the garment.

3) NORMAL DRYING – Never dry a Woolistic jersey in a clothes dryer. Instead:

a. Lay garment flat on a towel to dry indoors, away from light. Do not place outside in sunlight. Do not hang a wet jersey on a towel rack, hanger, or clothesline (the weight of the wet jersey will stretch it).

b. After towel becomes wet, substitute a dry towel.


4) QUICK DRYING – Never dry a Woolistic jersey in a clothes dryer. Instead:

a) Lay flat, front side up. Insert a block into the jersey to prop it open. Point a small fan at it to force air over the jersey and inside of it.

b) After front is dry, turn jersey over so that it is back side up. Place blocks in each pocket and aim fan at jersey.  By using a fan and these instructions, a Woolistic jersey will dry in about 25 minutes.


5) STORAGE/MOTH AVOIDANCE

Always store wool garments in sealed Zip-loc bags. Always store in drawer that is used often, because clothes moths don't like light and movement.




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