What is wool?

Wool generally refers to the natural animal fiber sheared from sheep. It is a protein fiber with many superior properties that synthetic fibers cannot match.

Main properties (advantages) of wool:

1. Excellent warmth retention: Wool fibers naturally crimp, creating many still air zones that insulate against cold air and lock in body heat.

2. Moisture absorption and breathability: It can absorb more than 30% of its own weight in water without feeling damp, and can evaporate the moisture into the air, keeping the skin dry.

3. Wrinkle-resistant and durable: The fiber itself is elastic, does not wrinkle easily, has strong resilience, and is highly durable.

4. Naturally flame-retardant: It is not easily ignited and will self-extinguish after being removed from the fire source, ensuring high safety.

5. Waterproof and sweat-wicking: The outer layer of wool fibers has hydrophobic scales, while the inner layer is hydrophilic. This means that light rain will form droplets and roll off, while sweat can be absorbed and wicked away.

Wool is a general term encompassing members of different qualities and origins, with vastly different prices and characteristics: 

Sheep's wool: The most common type, classified by fineness and quality as follows: 

Merino wool: From Merino sheep, its fibers are extremely fine and soft, with an excellent feel against the skin and no itchiness. It is an ideal material for making high-end underwear, base layers, and outdoor clothing; 

Regular sheep's wool: The fibers are coarser, with a relatively rough feel, and may cause itching upon direct contact with the skin. It is commonly used to make coats, carpets, etc.

Cashmere: From the soft undercoat of goats. The fibers are extremely fine and lightweight, but its warmth retention is several times that of wool, earning it the nicknames "fiber diamond" and "soft gold." It is very expensive.

Mohair: From Angora goats. The fibers have a smooth, lustrous surface, good elasticity, and are not prone to pilling. It is often used to make sweaters and scarves, giving the finished products a unique, fluffy visual effect.

Lamb's wool: Refers to the first shearing of lambs around 7 months old. It is softer and curlier than adult wool, making it a high-quality material for making shearling coats. 

Shetland wool: A type of coarse wool from the Shetland Islands in the UK, known for its rugged style and often used to make patterned sweaters.

Simple summary of differences: 

Cashmere is the softest, warmest, and most expensive, suitable for luxurious items worn close to the skin; 

Merino wool is soft and comfortable against the skin, suitable for basic base layers and outdoor activities; 

regular wool offers good value for money and is suitable for outerwear and coats; 

Mohair has a sheen and is suitable for highly decorative sweaters.

How to care for wool products?

Incorrect care is the main cause of damage to wool products.

Washing: 

1. Dry cleaning is preferred: for expensive or complexly constructed wool products (such as coats); 

Hand washing: use cold or warm water (not exceeding 30°C) and a special wool detergent (or neutral detergent). Never use alkaline laundry detergent or soap; 

Technique: gently press and knead, do not rub or wring vigorously to avoid shrinkage and deformation; 

Machine washing: only when the garment label clearly states "machine washable". 1. **Washing and Drying:** Always use the "Wool" or "Delicate" cycle on your washing machine and place the garment in a laundry bag.

2. Drying: Lay flat to dry: After washing, gently squeeze out excess water by hand (do not wring!), then roll up a dry towel to absorb any remaining moisture. Finally, lay the garment flat on a drying rack or a clean, flat surface to reshape it. Do not hang directly on a hanger, as the weight of the water will stretch and deform the garment. Avoid direct sunlight and heat sources: Keep away from direct sunlight and radiators; allow it to air dry naturally.

3. Storage: Store only after washing and complete drying. Use a breathable cotton or linen storage bag and place mothproofing material (such as camphor wood balls) inside. Do not hang heavy wool sweaters; fold them for storage to prevent shoulder deformation.

Tips for buying "wool" and "wool products": Read the label: Pay attention to the composition label. Only 100% wool is pure wool. Blended wool products may contain other fibers such as acrylic and polyester to increase durability or reduce costs. Pure wool mark: The internationally recognized mark guaranteeing high-quality wool. Seeing this mark means the product has undergone rigorous testing and its quality is guaranteed. Be realistic about pilling: Pilling of wool fibers after friction is normal and not necessarily a quality issue. It can be easily removed with a lint remover.