How to Clean Wool Slacks Using Products at Home Without Dry Cleaning

Wool slacks are a staple in professional wardrobes. Traditionally, cleaning wool requires a trip to the dry cleaners. Maintaining a professional wardrobe, with regular dry cleaning, can be expensive. Brush wool clothing, with a fabric brush, on a regular basis. This will help keep them clean and minimize the frequency of home, or professional, cleaning. There are ways to clean wool clothing at home and save money on professional cleaning bills.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Mild detergent

Instructions

Hand Wash

1. Fill basin with lukewarm to cool water. Do not use hot water as this will shrink the wool.

2. Add a mild detergent. Preferably, use a detergent specifically designed to wash wool fabrics.

3. Place wool slacks in the water. Push them down so they are covered. Do not twist the fabric. Gently squeeze to allow the water to penetrate.

4. Rinse completely in cool water. Remove all traces of the mild detergent.

5. Squeeze gently to remove excess water. Do not wring the fabric.

6. Lay the garment flat. Reshape if necessary. Allow to dry. Keep out of sunlight.

Machine Wash

1. Set the washing machine onto a gentle cycle with cool water.

2. Add a gentle detergent designed for washing wool.

3. Turn slacks inside out and place inside machine.

4. Remove slacks and lay flat to dry. Reshape if needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Dry cleaners are specialists in cleaning wool. Bring valuable wool clothes and those with sentimental value to a professional.

• Do not use bleach on wool fabrics. Bleach can destroy the fabric.

• Do not place wool in the dryer; it will cause the fabric to shrink.

• Do not hang wool while it is wet. This can cause the fabric to stretch out of shape.

• Any exposure to water may damage wool slacks. Hand washing can cause wool fabric to fade, shrink or loose softness.

References

• Denver Fabrics--Wool Fabric Care
• Woolite--Fabric Care Center