BATTLE OF THE WOOL WASHES

This episode is about the properties of wool and appropriate methods for laundering your wool garments. I do a lab test of 10 wool washes -- watch to see which ones were the best and which were the worst at cleaning stains.
LINKS TO PRODUCTS SHOWN:
Mint Rain Yarn: goo.gl/GK95qq
Nicole C. Mendez Yarn: goo.gl/lx5VKw
Yarn Keys: goo.gl/LdfVMn
June Tailor Shape Cut: goo.gl/rNYV76
pH Test Kit: goo.gl/6PGFju
Allure: goo.gl/qYe2HI
Dirty Rotten Bastard: goo.gl/yRUPjg
Eucalan: goo.gl/WtNLi3
Kookaburra: goo.gl/WMCihk
The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo: goo.gl/1Z3pg7
Soak: goo.gl/KA2tjU
Tuft Woolens Sock Soap: goo.gl/vDxrVT
Twig & Horn Wool Soap: goo.gl/DQWFGu
Unicorn Fibre Wash: goo.gl/Nkxx1Z
Woolite: goo.gl/mm4yqo
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Kristine Kelly
P.O. Box 74
Monmouth, IL 61462
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If you are passionately curious and never get tired of learning new things, new skills, new ideas...I hope you enjoy watching my videos and learn something. Have a sparkly day!

[@MaryD321]

As someone who runs clinical trials for a living, I've always appreciated your approach to testing and your breakdown of the results. The time and effort you put into this is really appreciated and it validates your work, of course. Thank you!

[@DOSBoxMom]

I've seen Woolite get dissed on Ravelry so often, and I was surprised to see that it ended up in the middle of the pack in this experiment. (I do have a trial-size bottle of it in my laundry room, but haven't really used it, as my family doesn't own that many wool garments.) I've heard suggestions about using human-grade shampoo or conditioner as a wool wash, as they are both designed to wash a protein fiber (human hair); I wonder how they would compare to the wool washes tested in this experiment. If you were to do a repeat or follow-up of this experiment, I would suggest plain baby shampoo for the shampoo test, and a plain, inexpensive conditioner of your choice for the conditioner.

[@ampm3098]

Astonishing wool wash results..thanks so much for doing that!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Anna -- I know, I was surprised at the results, too! Thank you for your comment and for watching. ♥

[@meaganweidnerkrazyquilts373]

Very interesting experiment on wool washes! I've not had good luck with Soak (EVERYTHING bleeds very badly when I use it) so I'm not surprised to hear that it didn't perform that well. I usually just use Eucalan, mostly because it's what I have always used when washing hand knots. I may have to get some of the Laundress to try now! I did want to point out one thing, however. Dirty Rotten Bastard from Namaste Farms is not designed for washing wool *garments,* it is designed for washing *raw wool fleece* before spinning it. When used for the purpose it was specially designed for, it is absolutely amazing!!!! Way better than Unicorn or Dawn or anything else I've tried on raw wool. (And I am in no way affiliated with Namaste Farms, I just really like her products.)

[@cinziadinoi61]

Since I don't really get my woolens stained, I would be interested in a test of texture/loft after washing. Somes washes seem to "dry" the fibre out and not make it as luxurious

[@joan9569]

The "scientific method" rules! I appreciate your efforts at unbiased results. This is my training for many years. Thank you SO much, & your "hubby", too.

[@adalai7649]

I'm binging on your earlier episodes and really liked this one. I enjoyed learning about the pH relationship to wool, and the issues with enzymes in regular laundry detergent. Thanks for the excellent information. FWIW, my favorite wool wash is the Unicorn line. Their Power Scour is outstanding at removing tough stains, both for my woolens and general laundry. For my handknits, I use their Fiber Wash before wet blocking and for general handwashing. I also like their Fiber Rinse after handwashing, especially before storing things for the summer. I'm really enjoying your videos and learning a great deal. Thanks so much for all you do.

[@danbev8542]

Great video! One of my pet peeves about most soaps/washes is perfume. I loathe strong perfume and usually they use phthalates to maintain the scent. Phthalates are a class of chemicals that makes hard plastics more flexible and are found in thousands of our products. Body odor and oils are the main reason most of us need to wash our garments - but I’m not sure how you would test for that!

[@trishcomey6322]

After purchasing a variegated yarn from Vulcan's Rest Fibers in Chesapeake City, Maryland, I realized the need to learn how to care for the 40% alpaca, 40% merino wool, 14% acrylic, 6% rayon yarn. First time knitting with a wool blend yarn. Didn’t think this day would come, but the colors were so pretty I couldn’t resist. Started the shawl designed by Karen Klein. Thanks for the washing instructions.

[@marianemartin2644]

No name baby shampoo is all I have used both for my woolies and our family members for years now. It makes a great body wash, gets our hair nice and clean and has fewer nasty chemical additives. It cleans and rinses well, has a faint fragrance and costs almost nothing. In the past I used to buy eucalan by the gallon jug from our dry cleaner for $25.00. Now it has fancy little bottles and costs a small fortune. Marketing!

[@auntpurl5325]

This was super. Thanks for the info. I loved this eoisode. I will also recommend this to my friends with kids at the science fair age. It would make a fun project. I'm a teacher at a classical ed tutorial, so this type of show feeds the insatiable inner nerd. And my husband wants to build a barn with living quarters, so I loved getting a virtual tour of one. well done!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Denelle -- so glad you enjoyed the episode. What a great idea for a science fair project! Love it! If you see any of the kids do it, please share a picture with me. :) Happy to hear from you, and best wishes on your prospective barn-home. I think I would like living in that kind of dwelling myself! Thanks so much for watching. ♥

[@maggie2sticks717]

I'm so happy I found your podcast. A thank you to The Slow Knitter for telling us about you. I live in Houston, Texas, but I wanted to hop in my car and join you for that "barn" retreat. What a cool idea and the setting is gorgeous!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Maggie -- thank you so much! I wish you could come up and join us, too! Our winter retreat would probably be a lot cooler than in Houston, but the summer retreat might be just as hot and humid! But it is always a day of fun and relaxation with friends and our fiber arts. Thanks for checking out my videos and for your comment. :)

[@shymoment]

Thank you so much for the wool wash tests. I have used a few samples but really didn't know what was the best product to buy.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi there! You are very welcome -- it was a fun and interesting experience for me to do the testing. I'm glad you found the results useful. Thanks for your comment and for watching my video. ♥

[@decbarfra]

Great information. I haven't purchased wool wash but now I am more informed as to what might work the best. The Grocery Girls sent me here and I happy that they did. Loved the information about Chris. Amazing that he was found alive!!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Trish -- I'm happy that you found my channel. I love the Grocery Girls, too. :) So glad you found the wool wash info useful. And yes, the story of Chris is amazing and it's a relief that it has a happy ending! Thank you for watching!

[@chernyylebed2050]

Colossal work! Thank you for the deep dive!

[@j.laniwinkler9903]

This is awesome! Wonder about the hair of French Poodles, they have to be groomed/shorn because their hair doesn't shed either. I've always wondered that.

[@christinasee5157]

Love the new podcast! Thanks for doing the experiment, very informative. I will be giving Allure a try.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Christina, and thanks for watching. Glad you found a new one to try! 🙂

[@debbil5656]

Thank you! My personal favorite is Kookabura; but I have to admit that it's the smell I like the best. I use the one with lavender and appreciate the tea tree oil.

[@Pegsay05]

Appreciate your wool wash testing. My usual go to wash landed in the middle.

[@EweUniversity]

Thanks for watching, and I'm glad you liked the wool wash experiment. I suspect that all of the soaps would improve in cleaning power with a little gentle rubbing action. :)

[@patmiller3538]

I liked hearing about the wool washes....mine came in somewhere in the middle. Good to know which ones we should be purchasing in the future. Thank you!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Pat! Thanks for watching. I'm glad you enjoyed the episode and found the information useful. :)

[@needle_nut7501]

Kris this was most informative. I have tried Eucalan, Tuft Woolen, and Allure. My favorite is Allure. I have never had anything that was crazy dirty , either. The enzymes were always a concern to me with Tide ( which is what I use) because commercial detergents are notorious for fading colors and weakening fibers. I use a color catcher if I throw my socks in the washer . Many bleed after many multiple washings. Now I wonder about the color catchers! Great video, Cheryl

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Cheryl -- I'm glad you found it useful. While I was surprised at the low pH of Tide, I still wouldn't use it to wash my wool garments because of the enzymes. I'm thinking about doing a video about the color catchers... 😄

[@lkmemphis]

Glad to have found you again and you're looking great! LOVED feature on the poor Ozzie sheep and the wool wash test. I would have liked to have seen a more oily stain, like a meat or butter or salad dressing stain, as they seem to be the things I spill (and red wine!) most. Also, if the cleaner is supposedly designed to work with hot water, shouldn't those have been tried out in the temps recommended? I understand the need to keep the conditions consistent and this, overall, was really helpful! I tend to use Kookaburra and Eucalan, but I'll be on the lookout for the Laundress, which I've never heard of! p.s. Your production quality is very good. If you haven't already, an episode on your set up would be so interesting. I'm thinking of my video lectures and chats for my online courses.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Loel, and thank you so much! Yes, maybe sometime I'll do another test with different stains. For this one I was replicating the previous experiment by Jess from Yooki Wool. And yes, for this experiment I wanted to be able to isolate the wool washes' effectiveness alone, so I didn't want to vary the water temperature along with the different wool washes. Warmer (or hot) water does generally clean better, but you have to balance that with being careful not to accidentally felt your wool item. :) I don't know if you can get The Laundress at any yarn shops -- I had to order it online. But it might be worth checking out. Oh, and I'm glad you like the video quality. Maybe sometime I can show my equipment and tips/tricks if there is interest in that. I don't have anything fancy, just a DSLR camera. Thanks for watching! ♥

[@wt30001]

I am a new knitter. I had purchase the laundress wool&cashmere shampoo. I have only used it for normal soaks on new projects and socks. I had never heard of another knitter using it so I had intended to buy tuft woolen or soak. Thank you for this podcasts, I heard about you from the grocery girls.

[@EweUniversity]

Hello, and thanks for watching! It's great that you found The Laundress shampoo, and you can certainly try out the others. I do use different brands for different things. I'm glad you found the wool wash test useful! :)

[@cgbyfran9697]

My fave is woolite . However, I'm going to look into the LAUNDRESS. Thanks for your time and effort in researching and sharing this information with us. I love your information sessions. My husband thought I was taking an online class. I feel like I am, in a wonderful way. Stay blessed.

[@EweUniversity]

Thank you so much. ♥

[@Joannewithane]

Thanks for the very informative video. I will be trying the allure when I find it. Keep up the excellent work! Thanks also for the update on Chris, what a story.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Joanne -- that's great! If you are looking for Allure, I have a link in the description box below the video where you can purchase each product. I'm not sure if Allure is only available online or if it's in yarn shops now. Thank you so much for your support! ♥♥♥

[@karleenpage5979]

VERY interesting... although this was done quite a while ago, I wonder what results you would get today? It seems that a lot of vendors give free SOAK packets away - was wondering if this is the result of advertising or improved formulas? I don't know what Dawn has in it, but it is very effective against grease. But it's also used to clean wild life suffering because of oil spills, so it may be safe for wool. Myself, I use a drop of Dawn to clean fruit before I eat it (rinsing it thoroughly of course) since I'm allergic to so many things and want to wash off as many chemicals as possible. Another question I have - is shampoo safe for washing wool? I would assume so, since we use it to wash our hair, which is protein. And a lot of people are making soaps today, and some are designated as wool washes. So it might be interesting to include one of these in an experiment. I haven't heard of any of the other ones except for Woolite and Eucalan. I haven't used any wool washes myself yet. I typically use shampoo to wash my delicates with.

[@savyjett]

I like this a lot! I would be interested to see if there is a difference between the felted material and maybe stockinette stitch. I’m sorry if you mentioned that, I’m listening at work, so I’m in and out.

[@KoronaDee]

This was such an informative and interesting video. Thank you for your knowledge, it really helped me out on picking a detergent! Much love!!

[@cast-onanother8504]

Thanks so much for this review of wool washes. It was great and gives us practical knowledge!

[@EweUniversity]

I'm glad you found it useful! Thank you for watching! :)

[@crouchingcheese]

Thank you for this experiment! I love Eucalyn but am aware that it's not the only wash out there, and now I have new ones to try :) Also, thank you for the story about Chris, I did always wonder what happened to him!

[@EweUniversity]

Thanks so much -- I'm really glad you enjoyed it! I'm excited for you to try some new wool washes! 😄

[@birchpoint6830]

I love your podcast! So glad it popped up as a "suggestion." I am so bummed about the wool wash test because I LOVE the smell of Soak Yuzu :(

[@EweUniversity]

hello - oh you can definitely still use that wool wash. I would just use it for things like rinsing out my knitwear, freshening them up, blocking, or making things smell good. If you want to remove stains, then I would use the Laundress. 💚💚💚

[@Andresueknits]

love the new show!! so well done and informative!! Bravo!!

[@EweUniversity]

Thank you, Andi! And thanks for watching. ♥

[@maryvanhouten6712]

Thank you I learn so much

[@teaknitspodcast5228]

Thanks for your comparisons on the wool washes!! I wonder how some agitation would influence the results. I'm just thinking some swishing around in the sink, not agitation like a washing machine. And then see how these washes would work and whether more of the stains or dirt come out. That is the scientist in me.... start with the basics which is what you did and then now what?!? Thanks for this. Because of your periscope on this awhile back, I found some alternatives to what I was using. Thanks again!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Lauren -- thanks for your question! I have some ideas for a future wool wash test (follow-up), like maybe some different stains, warmer water, a little gentle swishing. Keep an eye out for these in a future video. :) Thank you so much for watching. ♥

[@brendadouglas9833]

Really good information. Thanks for doing this for us.

[@4Luwana]

Thanks so much for the wool wash experiment. In looking up the one that had "cashmere" in the name, it appears that it comes in a cedar scent. Was the one you tried unscented?

[@EweUniversity]

Hi, and thank you for watching! Yes, the Laundress shampoo I think only comes in the cedar scent. That is what I have. I don't think the scent is very strong, though. It smells more "fresh" to me. But if you are sensitive to perfumes, you might not like it.

[@peepers4763]

Not knitting today. I'm bing watching EWE University. In the classroom is my fav!

[@EweUniversity]

Thanks, Paul -- glad to hear you are enjoying Ewe U! ♥

[@eileentomaro768]

I loved your experiment I use shampoo the clean my woolies. It seems to work very well

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Eileen -- that's awesome! Glad you enjoyed it. XO

[@kjlouisi4630]

very well done! thank you!

[@maylien]

Very informative.

[@christinaovall2662]

Should I use a wool wash for cashmere washable wool sweaters that I purchase? I've always used natural laundry detergent in the washing machine. Thanks for all the information!

[@EweUniversity]

I would use a wool wash for any natural protein fibers. That would be any animal fiber like wool, cashmere, alpaca, angora, mohair, etc. 💚💚💚

[@Tensystitches]

I just subscribed after a shout-out from the Grocery Girls. I am an academic librarian and also teach at a university. Instead of sock keys, why don't people just create a Google Sheet or Excel document with the name of the pattern, yarn used and any other notes about the project? I also add a column for type of pattern (hat, shawl, etc.), designer, start and end date. It takes less than a minute to add the info and then throw away the tag!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi there -- I love hearing from other academics! I think the spreadsheet is a great idea. I guess for myself, I like to keep everything in hand in a project bag, so something like the yarn keys would fit that bill. I know a lot of people who love keeping track of their projects electronically, but I have a hard time even updating my projects on Ravelry, lol! I love your suggestion and am sure it will inspire others. Thank you so much for watching and subscribing, and I hope you continue to enjoy my videos. :)

[@nickkumar2581]

I would have loved to hear about the wear and tear of these products on the wool. Otherwise an excellently conducted review.

[@EweUniversity]

Hello -- thanks for the suggestion. In this test the swatches were only soaked for a few minutes, so there wasn't really any wear and tear. But maybe I'll do another follow-up video sometime to examine that aspect of laundering. Thank you for watching.

[@sandygrogg1203]

So much great information! 💜💜

[@everclara2061]

Do you know for there’s ways to smooth out wool? By adding oils or rubbing something against it, so you can get rid of the pesky wool always that add up after wear? I’m trying to find something for my army beret, I’m convinced some sort of oil would work! Strongly considering tree oil or coconut oil, I think I’m going to use it on my extra beret to see how it comes it before I invest it into my primary beret. Any tips would be welcomed!

[@EweUniversity]

Hello -- are you talking about pilling? I wasn't sure what you meant by "add up after wear." One thing you could try is wash the beret and use hair conditioner on it, just like you would your own hair. That should soften up the feel of it, if that's your concern. Hope this helps.

[@everclara2061]

That definitely helps, I’ve read you can add tree oil or coconut oil to soften, maintain and smooth out the wool beret. I guess I was wondering if there’s some sort of pomade that I can use or something to make the wool look a little more smooth ... the pilling you mentioned that forms on it makes it look sloppy up close.

[@EweUniversity]

You could also use a sweater shaver or a Gleener to remove the pills. (I did a show about that earlier this year.) :)

[@DOSBoxMom]

What college do you teach at? Since some of the classes you teach are graduate-level, I assume it's not one of the colleges in Monmouth or Galesburg. Will listen carefully to the wool-wash section of this episode. I don't crochet with natural fibers that often, so probably a small quantity of a recommended product would suffice for me. (I have plenty of human-hair shampoo & conditioner at home, though, which I've heard of some people using to launder handknits, but I'm curious to hear the case for a product made specifically for laundering handknits.)

[@EweUniversity]

Hello -- no, it's not Monmouth College or Knox College but another one closeby. :) I hope you found the wool wash information useful. Thanks for watching! ♥

[@cmaur811]

I mostly wash raw fiber.. you really didn’t touch base with the different types of fiber. I usually use Dawn.

[@EweUniversity]

Yes, I was just testing the wool washes used for cleaning knitwear. I may do another video on scouring fiber. :)

[@lindenbatasherah3004]

I also have only scoured fleeces with Dawn.