CARE GUIDE

Merino wool is more resilient than most people expect - and less demanding. With a little care in the right places, a Tansy piece will hold its quality through repeated wear, through younger siblings, and beyond.

This guide covers everything you need to know: how often to wash, what to use, how to handle a stain before it sets, and how to store pieces between seasons.

HOW OFTEN TO WASH

Less often than you might think. Merino wool has a natural antibacterial quality - lanolin, the fat found within the fibre, actively breaks down bacteria and keeps the garment fresher for longer. After a day's wear, the most effective thing is simply to hang the piece in fresh air for a few hours. The microscopic air pockets within the fibre release moisture, odour and surface dirt as they breathe.

Wash only when a piece has a visible stain, or when airing no longer refreshes it. For a garment worn regularly, this typically means washing every few wears rather than after every use - which is better for the fibre, and better for the garment.

Avoid drying or airing in direct sunlight. It can fade the colours over time.

WASHING

Machine wash on a low spin wool cycle at max. 30°C.

Machine wash on a gentle wool cycle at max. 30°C, with a low spin speed. We recommend 400 rpm.

For best results, we recommend placing your sweater inside a laundry bag before washing. This helps reduce friction inside the machine, protecting the surface of the knit and helping your piece keep its softness and shape for longer. 

Use a detergent made specifically for wool - ideally pH-neutral, enzyme-free, and without bleach.

This matters more than it may seem. Standard laundry detergents often contain enzymes designed to break down protein-based stains. Wool is also a protein fibre, so enzyme-based detergents can weaken the fibres over time and contribute to thinning or small holes in knitwear.

A few other things worth knowing:

Sort by colour tone. Wash similar colours together, especially lighter shades. 

Don't overfill the machine. Half a drum is enough. Fibres that rub against each other under friction and heat can felt or lose their softness. Less in the machine means gentler handling.

Don't soak. Don't leave pieces sitting wet for extended periods. Prolonged moisture can cause the fibres to felt and distort. If a garment gets wet in wear, reshape it and dry flat as soon as possible.

Wash inside out. This reduces surface friction and helps the piece hold its colour. Place it in a laundry bag where possible.

DRYING

Remove from the machine promptly. Reshape gently by hand while the piece is still damp — this is the moment to correct any distortion.

Dry flat on a clean surface, away from direct heat sources and sunlight. Do not hang a wet knit: the weight of the water will pull the fibres out of shape before they have a chance to dry.

For best results, lay the garment flat on a clean towel, roll it gently to remove excess water, then unroll and dry flat on a clean surface or drying rack.

Do not tumble dry.

IRONING

If a piece needs smoothing, iron on a low wool setting with a damp cloth placed between the iron and the garment. Never apply the iron directly to knitwear.

Ironing also helps prevent pilling on the surface of the fabric, and keeps the piece looking its best between wears.

STAIN REMOVAL

The longer a stain sits, the more it sets into the fibre. Rinse the area gently with clean, lukewarm water the moment you see a stain. 

Apply a small amount of wool detergent or a wool-safe stain treatment. Leave it to work briefly, and rinse again. Then machine wash on a 30°C wool cycle.

Avoid harsh stain removers, bleach, aggressive scrubbing or soaking for long periods. These can damage wool fibres and affect the colour.

STORING BETWEEN SEASONS

Before putting a piece away, wash it. Moths are not attracted to clean wool - they are drawn to wool that carries traces of food, sweat, and natural oils. A clean, dry garment stored properly is far less likely to be damaged.

Store folded, not hung. Hanging knitwear over time stretches the shoulders and distorts the shape.

Keep pieces in a dry, dark place, away from direct sunlight.

Use a breathable cotton storage bag, a clean pillowcase or a sealed storage box. Avoid trapping moisture.

A small pouch of dried lavender or a few cedar balls placed alongside the pieces will deter moths without any chemical treatment. Both lose their potency over time; replace them each season.

A NOTE ON PILLING

Some surface pilling is normal, particularly in areas of repeated friction - under the arms, at the cuffs, where a coat rubs. It is not a sign of poor quality; it is a characteristic of natural protein fibres.

Pills can be removed easily with a fabric comb or a fine-tooth pill remover, working gently across the surface of the garment. Done regularly, this keeps the piece looking its best. A brief, gentle press with an iron after depilling also helps the surface settle.

Questions about caring for a specific piece? Write to us at info@tansykids.com - we are happy to help.