21 Sep How to make wool less itchy

Wool can be a comfortable and cosy fabric, but it can be itchy if you have sensitive skin. If you are one of the people who love the thought of wool but start scratching as soon as it touches your skin, here are some tips that could give that jumper or scarf a spot in your day-to-day wardrobe.

Give it a soak

If you are buying a new sweater or creating your own, perhaps withDK Yarn from Wool Couture or another stockist, think about the fabric you choose.

If you already have DK yarn in your sewing basket or an itchy jumper in your drawer, you could use a mixture of vinegar and water to soak out the itchiness. Start by turning your sweater – or whatever you want to soften – inside out, then soak it in a tub with a mixture of 30ml (two tablespoons) of white vinegar and cold water for 15 minutes. Take it out and rinse thoroughly with more cold water. Make sure you have enough water to completely cover your item of clothing, and only use cold water to prevent the wool from shrinking.

Condition the fabric

Next, take some hair conditioner and massage it into the wool. Leave this for 30 minutes and rinse again. Spread it out flat and leave your item to air dry. Never wring out or put the item on an airer to dry, as this can cause the fibres to stretch.

You only need to use about the size of a 10p coin of conditioner. Try to choose a high-end product without silicones or sulphates, as these could dry out your wool. You can read more about sulphates on the WebMD website:

Freeze out the itch

Finish the process by putting your dried item of clothing into a suitable airtight plastic bag. Place this in your freezer and leave it overnight. By the morning, you should have beautifully soft wool. Make sure you fold the item neatly in the bag and squeeze out as much air as possible before freezing.