Why Wool Needs a Seasonal Approach

Wool is one of the hardest-working fibres in a British home. It warms you in January, stays breathable in a stuffy September, and shrugs off everyday wear better than most fabrics. What it does not do is look after itself indefinitely. Wool reacts to moisture, heat, light and the small creatures that share our homes, and those pressures change through the year. A cushion that sits happily on a sofa in February can be quietly nibbled in July if it is put away warm and unwashed. The good news is that wool asks for very little — just a handful of seasonal habits, done properly, will keep your cushions and throws looking generous and feeling soft for a decade or more.

Spring: Air, Brush and Let It Breathe

As the heating goes off and windows open again, spring is the ideal moment to give wool its first proper airing of the year. Damp, still air is wool's quiet enemy, and a few hours of moving air does more for freshness than any spray.

• Choose a dry, breezy day with low humidity — avoid misty mornings and anything threatening rain.
• Lay throws flat over a clothes airer or clean sheet in a shaded spot. Hang wool over a line and the weight of the damp fibre will pull the shape out of it.
• Leave for 20 to 30 minutes, then turn and repeat. That is usually plenty.
• Brush the surface gently with a soft bristle brush, working in the direction of the nap, to lift dust and restore a little loft.
• Rotate cushions on the sofa so no single side takes all the sunlight, body oils and friction.

Direct, strong sun will fade dyed wool over time, so shade is kinder than a south-facing windowsill.

Summer: Fold, Store and Keep Moths at Bay

The warm months are when clothes moths do their damage. The adult moths are harmless; it is the larvae that chew small, irregular holes. They are drawn to wool that carries traces of sweat, skin cells and food, so always clean wool before you store it, never after.

• Fold items rather than hanging them, and pad the folds with acid-free tissue paper to prevent crease lines setting in.
• Place a lavender bag or a small block of cedar in with each folded throw. Refresh lavender sachets every few months, as the scent fades long before the bag looks tired.
• Store in a breathable cotton pillowcase or a cloth storage bag. Plastic bags trap moisture and can encourage mould and musty smells.
• Keep everything in a cool, dark, dry cupboard — bedrooms and airing cupboards are usually better than lofts or garages.
• Check stored wool once a month. Unfold it briefly, look along the seams and hems, then refold with the creases in different places.

Autumn: Waking Wool Up Again

When the first cold snap arrives and you reach for the stored throws, take an hour before they go back on display. Unfold everything and let it air in a well-ventilated room for half a day. Give each piece a careful look in good light: small clusters of holes, fine webbing or gritty deposits are all signs of moth activity. Shake items out thoroughly, and if you find any eggs or larvae, seal the item in a bag and place it in the freezer for 48 hours to break the cycle before washing.

A gentle steam — held a good 15cm from the fabric — will relax deep folds and freshen the fibres without soaking them. Let the wool dry completely before it goes back on the sofa.

Winter: Spills, Damp and Everyday Handling

Winter is peak season for mugs of tea, red wine and the occasional mince pie crumb. Wool handles accidents well if you act quickly.

• Blot, never rub. Press a clean white cloth or kitchen paper onto the spill to lift liquid out.
• Work from the outside of the stain inwards so you do not spread the mark.
• Use cool water and a wool-safe, pH-neutral detergent, dabbed on with a cloth rather than poured.
• Rinse by dabbing with clean cool water, then blot dry and reshape the item flat.

Keep wool away from radiators, wood burners and damp windowsills. Direct heat dries the fibres out and makes them brittle, while condensation encourages mildew. Ventilate rooms for ten minutes a day even in the coldest weather, and plump cushions regularly to redistribute the filling.

Washing and Drying Without Shrinking

Most woollen cushions and throws only need washing once or twice a year. Check the care label first, and if it says dry clean only, respect that.

• Hand wash or use a wool cycle at 30°C with a detergent made for wool. Never use biological powder, bleach or fabric conditioner, which coats the fibres and flattens them.
• Do not wring or twist. Press the water out gently, then roll the item in a clean towel to absorb the rest.
• Dry flat, reshaping to its original dimensions while damp. A heavy throw may need two towels and a spare airer to support it.
• Turn the item occasionally as it dries so no section stays damp for long.
• Only tumble dry if the label permits, and then on the coolest setting.

Done this way, wool rewards you season after season — soft, warm and quietly beautiful, exactly as it was when you first brought it home.