Quick answer: How to wash wool: use cool or lukewarm water, a wool-safe detergent, and gentle up-and-down motions. Rinse well, squeeze out water, then dry flat—never wring, scrub, or hang wool to dry.
Wool is a protein fiber with tiny scales on the surface. When wool gets wet, heat, agitation, and rubbing can make those scales latch together and felt, which causes shrinkage and distortion. Once wool has felted badly, it usually cannot be reversed, so the safest approach is gentle cleaning and careful drying.
Not all wool is the same. Some wool garments are more forgiving than others, but if the care label says dry clean only, take that seriously. If the item is structured, lined, or especially expensive, professional cleaning is often the safest choice.
Only if the care label allows it and your machine has a truly gentle wool or hand-wash cycle. Even then, use cold water, a wool-safe detergent, and low spin. If you do not trust the cycle, hand washing is safer.
For mild shrinkage, steaming and gentle stretching may help a little. For more noticeable shrinkage, a soak with wool-safe conditioner can sometimes relax the fibers enough to reshape them. If the garment has felted badly, professional restoration is unlikely to fully fix it.
Wash wool only when it truly needs it, and store it clean in a breathable bag during the off-season. That helps prevent moth damage and keeps the fibers in better condition.
Or ask about any laundry or garment care question