How to Care for Non-Superwash Wool (Without the Fear)

If you’ve ever held a beautiful skein of non-superwash wool and thought, “This is gorgeous… but what if I ruin it?” — you are not alone. It’s the question I hear most often, and it’s the reason some knitters and crocheters reach for superwash every time. So let’s address it: caring for non-superwash wool is genuinely simple. It just asks for a little gentleness, and in return it gives you a fabric that wears beautifully for years. Here’s everything you need to know about how to care for non-superwash wool.

First, why non-superwash needs a different touch

Superwash yarn is treated with a coating that lets the fibers slide past each other, which is what makes it machine-washable. Our yarn skips that step. It’s 100% US-grown, US-milled Merino in its natural state — which means the tiny scales on each wool fiber are still intact. Those scales are what give non-superwash wool its bounce, its “bloom,” and its wonderful stitch definition. They’re also why it can felt if you’re rough with it. Felting happens from a combination of three things: heat, agitation, and sudden temperature changes. Avoid those three, and your wool is perfectly happy.

How to wash it, step by step

When your finished project needs a wash, here’s the whole routine:

1. Fill a basin with cool to lukewarm water. Room temperature is ideal. The goal is to keep the water one consistent, gentle temperature from start to finish.
2. Add a little wool wash. A no-rinse wool soap (like Eucalan or Soak) makes this easy, but any mild, enzyme-free soap works. A small squeeze is plenty.
3. Submerge and let it soak. Press the fabric gently under the water and leave it for 15–20 minutes. Resist the urge to swish, scrub, or agitate — that’s what encourages felting.
4. Lift, don’t wring. Support the whole piece with both hands as you lift it out so it doesn’t stretch, and gently press the water out. Never twist or wring.
5. Roll in a towel. Lay your project flat on a clean towel, roll it up like a sleeping bag, and press to soak up the extra water.
6. Lay flat to dry. Shape it back to size (this is your chance to block it) and let it air-dry away from direct heat or sun.

That’s it. No machine, no dryer, no stress.

The first wash, and a note on hand-dyed color

Because every Arborglyph colorway is hand-dyed in small batches, your first wash may release a little excess dye into the water — that’s completely normal and doesn’t mean anything is wrong. I rinse every skein until the water runs clear, but I always recommend washing a hand-dyed piece on its own the first time, in cool water, just to be safe. You may also notice darker colors “crock” a touch — a little color rubbing off on your hands or needles as you work. It’s a natural quality of hand-dyed yarn and won’t affect your finished project.

The cardinal rule: no shocks

If you remember nothing else, remember this: wool felts from surprise. Hot water, a tumble in the machine, or plunging a warm piece into cold water — those sudden shocks are what mat the fibers together. Keep the water cool and consistent, handle the fabric gently, and skip the dryer entirely. Follow those rules and felting simply won’t happen.

Everyday care between washes

Here’s the lovely secret about wool: it doesn’t need washing nearly as often as you’d think. Wool is naturally odor- and dirt-resistant, so most of the time a good airing is all your handknits need. Drape a sweater somewhere with a little air circulation overnight and it’ll freshen right up. When it’s time to store your woolens for the season, make sure they’re clean and completely dry, fold them (don’t hang — wool can stretch), and tuck in some cedar or lavender to keep moths away.

Why it’s worth it

I’ll be honest: non-superwash asks for a few extra minutes now and then. But what you get in return is wool behaving exactly the way wool is meant to. It blooms and softens with washing, holds its shape without sagging, resists pilling, and lasts for years — often becoming an heirloom rather than landfill. There’s no plastic coating between you and the fiber, just clean American wool grown and milled with care. Take that small bit of gentleness, and your non-superwash pieces will love you back for a very long time.

Ready to cast on with something special? Shop our hand-dyed non-superwash yarn →