Probably a silly question.....I bought some KOM wool (used) this year, and even though its been well taken care of and has no smell, I feel likeI should wash it.
Website says machine washable, but that seems risky?
Hand wash? Dry clean?

thanks for the help

I don't clean mine. Why wash something that has no smell?

KOM actually recommends washing its jackets to tighten up the weave. Of course, I don't think I'd do that if the fit was already snug.

I never wash my wool.  And there is always a lot of KOM wool for sale that people have washed and now its too small.

Hang it outside and thump it with a stick to push out dust and skin cells.  Mine like it that way, then into storage until fall

my wool is always wet and dirty from hunting in the rain. I just wash it in the sink by hand then hang it on the line to dry.
Water wont shrink it the dryer does (so im told). but been doing it this way for years and wash lots of wool from filson, kom, Columbia, woolrich, and some others. Never hand a problem.
My mom recommended that I lay them flat to dry and put a couple weights on the corners to keep from shrinking, but I only did that once and never had any problems just hanging it on the line.

QuoteOriginally posted by LB_hntr:
my wool is always wet and dirty from hunting in the rain. I just wash it in the sink by hand then hang it on the line to dry.
Water wont shrink it the dryer does (so im told). but been doing it this way for years and wash lots of wool from filson, kom, Columbia, woolrich, and some others. Never hand a problem.
My mom recommended that I lay them flat to dry and put a couple weights on the corners to keep from shrinking, but I only did that once and never had any problems just hanging it on the line.

Your Mom was right. It's called "blocking". Hand wash in cool water, and then lay it out flat. Pull at the length critical areas a few times....arms, legs, body length...flip over several times while it dries. NEVER put it in the dryer.

I put in a big plastic can till the big truck comes to take it off.. I hate wool  

Mine goes to the dry cleaner, never a problem...IJ

My KOM stuff is 20 years old and looks new. I machine wash it in cold cycle,no spin. Then dry it outside flat.
It will be more soft and warmer.it really improve with the correct washing.

I follow Felix's technique with filson but usually don't wash unless covered in blood.

I don't wash it often, but when I do I wash it in cold water as already mentioned (it does tighten the weave - good!), and then I put it on wet and also a couple of times as it dries to shape and stretch it for the best fit.

Wash in cold water and let dry naturally.

Hang it in a tree and let the wind do it

If it has mud or other surface dirt, I use a stiff brush. Then shake it out and hang it in fresh air. Some times I will keep it in a bag of pine or cedar branches for a little while to give it a fresh woods smell.

I almost never wash wool. If it is too nasty, I send to the cleaners, but that is very rare.

Dry Cleaners....

Go to Gfredasbell.com, scroll down, and click on "wool sizing and washing". Excellent information.