Winter means one thing - cosy jumpers of course! As you start to wear your jumpers more regularly, you’ll begin washing them more often too, and washing mohair can be a tall order. The last thing you want is to shrink your favourite mohair jumper to the size of a doll, or for your knitwear to stretch and warp out of shape. Washing mohair isn’t the same as a washing t-shirt or even washing your other jumpers, so we've brought you our top tips - here's how to wash your mohair jumper.
What actually is mohair?Mohair is a fabric or yarn made from the hair of the Angora goat, not to be mistaken for the Angora rabbit, which produces Angora wool; confusing, we know!
Mohair has excellent insulating properties, so if you're looking for a new winter woolly, perhaps consider mohair for your next knitwear purchase - but it also has moisture-wicking properties, meaning it can keep you cool in warmer weather too. It's known for its high lustre and sheen, and is definitely a luxury fabric, so you'll want to make sure you're washing mohair correctly.
It may be durable, but when it comes to washing mohair, you need to go carefully. Because it's an elastic-y fabric, it can warp and misshape very easily, so we recommend you hand wash your mohair jumper. It's a little more effort, but it's worth it to preserve the look and feel of your mohair.
Step 1. Fill a sink or basin with tepid water (we recommend around 30 degrees).
Step 2. Use a specialist knitwear detergent. The best mohair wash should use a pH neutral formula. Most detergents are alkaline as that helps to remove grease and dirt, but alkalinity can damage natural fibres like mohair, so a lower pH level is best. Our best selling Wool Detergent has a pH level of 7-8, which is the perfect level for gentle cleaning of natural fibres, and it works perfectly for washing mohair too. Crafted with our proprietary formula and delicately fragranced with Himalayan Cedarwood and Orange Oil, this will leave your knitwear refreshed and nourished. Even better, the essential oils in the formula provide a natural moth deterrent, so your mohair jumper can stay moth-hole free!
Step 3. Submerge your mohair jumper into the water and gently agitate to distribute the detergent. Massage with your hands for a couple of minutes.
Step 4. Re-fill the basin with fresh water and rinse all product out of the jumper, pressing gently against the sides of the sink to remove excess water. Don't ring the jumper aggressively, as this may misshape the fibres.
Step 5. Very importantly, lay your mohair jumper flat to dry in the jumper's original shape. Hanging to dry will cause stretching of the fabric, so lay flat on the top of a clothes horse or rack. Mohair dries quickly, so it won't be long before you can wear your mohair jumper again!
Our top tip: Garments made from natural fibres like mohair can look a little different after washing, so we recommend gently brushing down your mohair jumper with a stiff bristle Clothes Brush to restore the original lustrous look to the jumper. Brush downwards to remove any knots or tangles that may have occurred during washing.
How to store mohairSimilarly to when it's drying, you need to store your mohair jumpers folded flat, rather than hung in a wardrobe. This goes for your other knitwear too, so get those cashmere and wool jumpers off those hangers!
As natural fibres like mohair contain proteins, they're an attractive feast for moths, nightmare! Our Wool Detergent mentioned earlier will help provide a natural moth defence, we also recommend keeping your mohair jumpers stored in airtight bags, with one of our Scent Bags placed nearby for added moth protection. These gorgeous little bags are packed with a special blend of dried herbs and flowers that are renowned for their moth repellent qualities – including lavender, sandalwood, patchouli, lemongrass and more. They are brilliant dotted around your wardrobe, hung on hangers and popped into your drawers of knitwear. We have them available on subscription too. For complete moth protection, then explore our collection of natural moth repellents that keep your mohair safe.
Mohair is certainly a luxury fabric, and your favourite mohair jumper might be a winter wardrobe staple. With our tips, washing mohair will be a breeze!
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