A lot of Apricot’s Home products have washable wool in them, so let’s talk about what washable wool is and how best to care for it.
Why do we use washable wool? It is a dream material for many winter goods and doggie products, providing unparalleled quality. From absorbing moisture in the cold, to natural antimicrobial properties and high levels of warmth and softness, there are few synthetic materials that can compare.
Washable wool is intended for the wear and tear of everyday life moments. Whether it’s muddy paws or a coffee spill, your washable wool products can be gently washed with cold water with no damage.
While washable wool is resilient, it has different care needs than you may be used to.
What is washable wool
When you think of wool, you might think of a material that is stiff, a bit scratchy, and that gets ruined if you don’t dry clean it. Apricot’s Home washable wools are none of those things.
Our washable wools are soft, almost silky to the touch, and hold their shape. The first time you touch an Apricot’s Home product, you’ll see the difference for yourself.
How to care for washable wool
You should have your washable wool dog blankets professionally cleaned once to twice per year. Dog toys can be washed by hand as needed and dried in the sun.
If your dog blankets get dirty in between cleanings, you have nothing to worry about! Clean up spills and mud yourself at home, and take the dog blanket to a professional cleaner at your leisure. Read on to learn what to do in a pinch.
How to wash washable wool in a pinch
Our dog blankets and dog toys can be washed in most modern washing machines with a “delicate”, “gentle”, or “wool” cycle that uses cold water and minimal agitation. Use a mild detergent. You can also wash by hand with cold water.
Like taking care of a favourite pair of premium denim, you will find an Apricot’s Home blanket to be more snuggly if your cleaner gently washes it using wool care methods rather than using dry cleaning chemicals.
How to dry washable wool dog blankets
The dog blankets can be dried on a line or using the “air dry” setting on most modern dryers. Make sure you know how to use the “air dry” setting first before putting washable wool in your dryer!
Before putting your dog blanket in a dryer, verify that the “air dry” setting does not use any heat. If the dryer uses any heat, you should line dry your dog blanket. Dry the dog blanket in the dryer for 20 minutes to fluff it up. Remove promptly, carefully smooth it back to shape, and lay flat to finish drying.
The alpaca wool dog blanket in the picture has been washed and dried twice in a home washing machine and dryer. If you accidentally leave a blanket in the dryer longer than 20 minutes, our washable wools have no more than 10% shrinkage. This is on par with many cotton denims and sweatshirts.
The Chalet Dog Blanket in Alpaca Wool is a part of our newly launched Après Ski Collection, sold at The Wintr Markt.
How to dry washable wool dog toys
Dog toys should not be put in the dryer. Sunlight is the best way to dry your dog toys. Your dog can play safely with a damp dog toy after washing and does not need to wait for the dog toy to be dry before playing.
The Heritage Bone Dog Toy in Fur in the picture has been washed twice and played with for weeks. The Petite Heart Dog Toy in Corduroy Plush in the picture has been played with and washed regularly in a washing machine for more than 6 months!
We know how frustrating it is to see a plush dog toy last for only a few minutes of puppy play. Apricot’s Home dog toys are made for tough chewing and lots of fun.
Troubleshooting washable wool
If you’re not sure if your washing machine can wash wool, you can remove spills with cold water in your sink instead. Heat and excessive tumbling will damage the wool. It is very important that you wash gently with cold water and dry with cold air.
If you accidentally put a product in the wash on the wrong cycle, rewash it following the care instructions and then take it to a reputable professional cleaner. Washable wool can often (but not always!) be restored to its original shape if cleaned properly after an accident.
Learning how to care for washable wool products is time well spent! You’ll be delighted at how long your products last when cared for.
Shop for dog blankets and dog toys here.
