How do you clean / de-scent "hunting" wool?

[cajuntec]

I've read so much lately about brands, surplus stores, etc... in regards to wool.  Then I got to thinking... hey - I've got a PURE wool shirt in my closet that I hardly ever wear - for any reason.  I pulled it out - dark brown and black wool shirt.  Still fits me perfectly - and I mean PERFECTLY.  This would be a great hunting shirt under my coveralls.

However, it's "dry clean only" according to the label, and 100% wool.  

So... knowing that I normally wash my other hunting clothes in scent free wash with U/V killers, how do I clean this shirt to start using it as a hunting shirt???

All the best,
Glenn

[LV2HUNT]

Cold water wash and hang dry with your regular scent free soap. If it is reasonably thick you can do it in the machine but you might want to try the delicate cycle first. *** No dryer unless you have a small child to give it to ***

[Jerry Jeffer]

Hand wash cold and hang dry or lay it out flat.

[rbbhunt]

I wash them in cold water, delicate cycle with "Sport Wash" and air dry.  Sport wash is scent free and U/V free.  Also, in the dryer with low or no heat works.

[bearhair]

I wash all my wool in cold water in the bath tub using scent free detergent then hang to dry.  Don't go near the dryer.

[killinstuff]

That what I do with my wood as well to get it clean but remember for smell, if the wind is bad, those deer are going to smell you anyway.

[returntoarchery]

Originally posted by LV2HUNT:
*** No dryer unless you have a small child to give it to ***

You can say that again. My wife washed/dryed one of her wool sweaters by mistake once and it shrunk so small you'd been hard pressed to put it on a 2 month old infant.    

[cajuntec]

My wife has this really cool dryer "system" at our house, and I was wondering if I could use that.  The bottom part is a regular dryer, but the top part allows you to hang / lay flat items like sweaters, suits, etc...  It's a Maytag Neptune DC.  Anyone have one of these that has experience using them???

Thank for all of the responses thus far.  I appreciate it.

All the best,
Glenn

[Longbeard]

My wife(bless her heart) thought she'd help me out by washing my hunting stuff for me one day.  My Original Hidden Wolf Woolens XL lined wool vest did NOT like the dryer.  My son, who weighs in at 135, was a HAPPY CAMPER when it came out of the dryer.

[ChristopherO]

Cajuntec,
If it gets hot on top then you would be better off not using that dryer setup.  I always hang mine outside to dry once I wash them in cold water in the regular washing machine.

[Orion]

cajuntec:  Obviously, cold water and hang dry works, but if it's not dirty, why wash it.  If it has a little house smell from being in the closet so long, hang it outdoors for a few days.  That's one of the nice things about wool; it doesn't retain odors, at least not as many or as bad as other fabrics.

[hickstick]

what said above....if that sweater setup uses heat at all I'd avoid it.

[Hot Hap]

If you're worried about the smell, get a cedar chest and keep it in there. After the hunt put it back in there till the next hunt. Hap

[Roadkill]

I have a plastic tub that holds my clothes. I put in native, natural things and let it sit year-round.  I have sage-that's what we have here.  when in Va, i used DRY oak leaves-damp leaves mildew.

[Problem Child]

I read somewhere to use Dawn Dishwashing Detergent and it's been working for me.I rinse out the kitchen sink and add several drops of the detergent and luke-warm water. I mix the water and detergent but not enough to cause bubbles. I place my sweater in it and gently "swirl".I usually leave the sweater in about 10 minutes and then drain. Fill the other side of the sink with cold water and slide your hands under the garment to support it and transfer to the cold water. Again gently swirl the garment to get the detergent out, drain and do this once more. While supporting the garment, place it in a colander to drain.Lay out a large dry towel on a flat surface near by and transfer the garment to the towel while always supporting it from the bottom.After its on the towel you can lay it out to its original shape. Then roll the garment up in the towel to squeeze the water out. I do this a couple of times with a couple of towels.You can handle the garment pretty good now. Lay it flat and let it dry. This seems like alot of work but it really doesn't take that long to do.

[AkDan]

man I knew I smelled a lemon  

[Downsouth]

Did a Google search on washing wool. Thought this was an interesting webpage.

www.fuzzygalore.biz/articles/wash_sweater.shtml

[dadto2]

I have used dryel before with no proplems.

[Problem Child]

Originally posted by AkDan:
man I knew I smelled a lemon    

Hmmmm....do they have Apple Scent ??  

[SOS]

I like to lay them out on tables instead of hanging them.  That way you can flatten them to shape and smooth them out.  I feel they keep their fit and shape better.  Merry Christmas.