Proper Care for Wool Gloves
Wool gloves are usually made from 100% wool yarn and are therefore very delicate. Proper care is all the more important.
How do I wash wool gloves?
The best care for wool gloves is to wash them rarely. If it is inevitable, it’s best done by hand! steppenstrolch gloves are made from 100% pure wool. The fibers in yak and camel wool are therefore very sensitive to warm or hot water and should always be hand-washed in lukewarm water at most.
If the gloves have a high wool content, such as our gloves, the fibers have a self-cleaning function. Lanolin (the natural wool grease in the fibers) removes odors and regenerates the fibers. Therefore, it’s sufficient to rinse your gloves with cold water to remove any heavy dirt and lay them on a towel to dry. The fewer chemicals you use when cleaning your gloves, the longer the fibers will remain intact.
Can wool gloves be washed in the washing machine?
As always, it depends on the instructions on the care label. In most cases, however, machine washing is not recommended, as wool gloves often contain a high percentage of pure wool fibers, which may also be very finely knitted. Hand washing is always recommended. You should only use the washing machine if it has a wool cycle and you have a wool detergent available.
Fabric softeners and bleach should also be avoided when washing. A general rule for all wool products with a low percentage of synthetic fibers: Ideally, use a wool detergent that is free of bleach and artificial brighteners, is biodegradable, and avoid fabric softeners. Wool detergents are specifically designed for the care of natural fibers, as they contain no enzymes and have a neutral pH value. This combination ensures that the wool gloves are not damaged and preserves the natural wool grease.
How can I make my wool gloves last longer?
Our gloves, made from 100% pure yak wool or camel wool, provide excellent insulation despite their lightweight feel. Because the fibers are also extremely fluffy and soft, they are somewhat delicate. Please note that repeated friction can cause these fibers to wear out more quickly than synthetic fibers (such as polyester or nylon).
Our gloves and mittens made from camel and yak wool are therefore only suitable to a limited extent for activities such as cycling, walking the dog, or gardening. If holes do develop, please check out our Flickanleitung wie du sie richtig stopfen und deine Handschuhe somit reparieren kannst. Die passende Wolle kannst du als Flickset in our online shop.
Here´s a great tip: Wool loves snow, and if you leave your gloves out in the snow overnight, they'll be almost like new once they've dried in the fresh air.
Can you put wool gloves in the dryer? No!
Our gloves should never be put in the dryer. Instead, lay them on a towel near a heater or in the sunlight and let the fibers dry there.
The unique properties of wool
Wool fibers are truly amazing. As a renewable natural material, they offer unbeatable properties:
- Warm, because they insulate body heat very well.
- Odorless, because the natural oils in the wool prevent odors from lingering.
- Soft and cozy—the finer and smoother the wool fiber, the softer it feels against the skin.
- Naturally biodegradable, as wool breaks down in the natural environment and can even be used as fertilizer.
- Regulates temperature, as wool fibers can both absorb and release heat.
Hier erfährst du, wie sich die Wollfasern bei steppenstrolch unterscheiden.