Have you avoided quilting with wool batts because you've heard you can't wash wool? Forgo the myth—wool can be washed! Here are few precautions to follow when washing quilts filled with wool batts.
Kay Walters, who processes rolled wool batting using factory methods from the year 1865, provided the following suggestions to host Alex Anderson for washing quilts filled with wool batting:
- Wash quilts filled with wool batts only in cold water using neutral pH soap.
- Soak wool batt quilts in a large sink or bathtub filled with enough water to cover the quilt.
- Gently squeeze the fabric with your hands. Do not agitate the quilt—agitation and rubbing wool fibers causes felting, which is an irreversible process.
- After washing the quilt, frequent rinsing may be necessary to remove the soap residue.
- To extract excess water, place the quilt in the washing machine on the spin cycle only.
- Line dry only.
Caution: Do not dry a quilt with wool batting in an automatic dryer.
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