Felted wool: the two rules

Wool felts when it meets heat, moisture and friction at the same time. That is how the piece was made — and it is also how it gets ruined, because the process does not stop when the maker does.

  • Never put it in the washing machine. It will shrink, harden and lose its shape.
  • Never use hot water. Cool or lukewarm only.

Everyday cleaning

Most marks come out with far less effort than expected:

  • Dust and crumbs — shake it out, or use a soft brush.
  • A spot or spill — dab with a cloth, cool water and a little mild soap. Dab, do not rub, or you will felt that patch further.
  • Drying — flat, out of direct sun, never on a radiator.
  • Pilling — small bobbles are normal on wool. Pick them off by hand or trim carefully with scissors.

Wool is naturally antibacterial and resists odour, so it needs cleaning far less often than it looks like it does. Airing it outdoors on a dry day does most of the work.

Wooden pieces

Wipe with a barely damp cloth and dry immediately. Wood should never soak — standing water raises the grain and can split it over time.

If a piece starts to look dry or pale, a little food-safe oil (linseed, walnut or a beeswax polish) on a soft cloth will bring the colour back. Apply thinly, leave for an hour, wipe off the surplus. Once or twice a year is plenty.

Small repairs

Loose felt details can usually be secured back with a barbed felting needle — a few stabs and the fibres re-lock. A rough edge on wood takes a moment with fine sandpaper, followed by a touch of oil.

For anything larger, ask the maker. A piece made by hand can almost always be mended by hand, and that is one of the quiet advantages of buying from a small workshop.

Storage

Keep pieces dry and out of long direct sunlight, which slowly fades dyed wool. If a mat is being put away for a season, roll it rather than folding it — hard creases in felt can become permanent.

Moths, honestly

Wool is a natural fibre, so it is worth a thought during long storage. Clean, dry and aired wool in a sealed box is rarely a problem; a cedar block or dried lavender helps. Wool in daily use almost never attracts moths, because it is constantly being moved.