Wash and Wear Wools

Imagine tossing wool garments in the washer and the dryer without fear of shrinkage. Today's washable wools generally come out of the dryer smooth too, requiring little or no pressing.

For so long, it seemed that when the word "wool" appeared on the garment label, the words "dry clean" appeared as well. However, consumers have begun to speak up. With their busy lifestyles, they want garments that are washable and offer easy care. While some wool garments will continue to require dry cleaning to maintain tailored inner construction, increasing numbers of washable wool shirts and sweaters are available on the market.

The problem with washing wool has been the irreversible shrinkage and felting that occurs during the washing process. Wool fiber, which is actually hair from a sheep, has an outer layer of overlapping scales. These scales run in one direction like the shingles on a roof. When wool is exposed to moisture, agitation and heat during the washing process, these scales become interlocked. This results in a smaller, more dense fabric. Or, in other words, your nice wool garment is now way too small to wear.

So, you may ask, how are wools made washable? They are treated with a resin finish. A thin layer of resin coats and smoothes the wool fiber surface, preventing the fibers from becoming interlocked during the laundering process. Early resin finishes tended to leave wool fabrics with a rather harsh touch. However with improvements over time, washable wools now retain the soft hand of their untreated counterparts.

 Teflon®: From The Frying Pan Into Fashion

Yes, the same material used to coat your non-stick frying pan is now used to make fabrics water repellent and soil resistant. Teflon is bonded to the fabric at the molecular level without altering how the fabric looks, feels or breathes. In fact, the only difference you will probably notice in a Teflon-treated fabric is how spills bead up and roll right off the garment.

Clothing treated with Dupont's Teflon Fabric Protector was introduced into the market a few years ago. It first appeared on silk apparel and ties. Now Pendleton has developed Teflon-finished wools. The Teflon fabric protector enhances the natural water and soil repellency of wool, resulting in superior fabric protection for often-worn garments such as key wardrobe pieces. Here is a great example of market response to consumer need. A Teflon finish means easier care, fewer trips to the dry cleaner and added value to the garment.

Pendleton features both washable and Teflon-treated wools in its product offering. A large selection of washable wool shirts and sweaters are available for both men and women. The Teflon fabric protector is applied to womenswear garments called Seasonless Wool Essentials, which are available throughout the year in lightweight wool gabardine.
© 1996-2000 Pendleton Woolen Mills