Wash as rarely as possible. Cashmere, yak and camel wool are naturally self-cleaning, and frequent washing wears the fibres unnecessarily. Three or four washes a year are usually enough, even with regular use. Stains can be treated separately (see the section further down).

Hand washing is a gentle method for fine wool. Fill the basin with lukewarm water, about 30°C, and add wool detergent. Avoid regular detergent and fabric softener. Leave the garment in the water for 5–10 minutes and press it down gently with flat hands without rubbing or wringing. Then rinse carefully in cold water until the soap is gone, and press the water out with flat hands. Never wring the garment.

A good wool programme can also be very gentle, because temperature and movement are kept constant. Wash at 30°C with wool detergent, preferably in a laundry bag, and choose no or low spin. Machine washing can be used for knitwear, while woven throws should be cleaned professionally.

After washing, fine wool should dry flat. Lay the garment on a dry towel and shape it gently while it is still damp.

Pilling, the small balls of fibre that form on the surface, is a natural phenomenon with wool fibres, especially cashmere, and is not a sign of poor quality. It appears mainly where the garment is exposed to friction, for example under the arms, along the sides or where a bag rests against it.

It is often most noticeable the first few times a new piece of knitwear is worn. When the loose fibres are removed along the way, the amount usually decreases.

The small balls of fibre can be removed carefully with a wool comb, with your fingers on smaller areas, or with an electric fabric shaver. A wool comb is the gentlest method, while an electric fabric shaver should be used with a light hand so as not to damage the fibres.

It is a good idea to remove pilling before washing, as washing can press the loose fibres further into the surface and make them harder to remove.

After wearing, knitwear benefits from being aired before it goes back in the wardrobe. Hang it briefly on a hanger, ideally by an open window in dry weather. Let the garment rest for a day between wears so the fibres have time to recover their shape. Knitwear is best stored folded in a drawer or on a shelf. If it hangs on a hanger for a long time, it risks losing its shape.

When the garment is to be put away for a while, it should be clean and completely dry. Store it in a cotton bag or a closed box. Cedarwood balls or lavender sachets can be used as natural moth repellents. If you discover signs of moths, the garment can be placed in a sealed bag in the freezer for at least 24 hours. Let it thaw in the bag afterwards to avoid condensation on the fibres.

Stains on fine wool should be treated quickly and gently. Dab the stain with a clean piece of cloth or kitchen paper to soak up the liquid. Avoid rubbing, as this can work the stain further into the fibres and cause the wool to felt.

Use cold or lukewarm water, and avoid ordinary stain removers, which can be too harsh for fine wool and affect the colour.

For wine, coffee and tea, rinse the stain with cold water as quickly as possible. Then apply a small amount of wool detergent directly to the area, leave it for about 5 minutes and rinse gently again.

For grease and oil, dab the stain with a soft cloth wrung out in cold water with a drop of mild washing-up liquid. Leave it briefly and then rinse gently.

If the stain will not come out, or if it is a throw or a particularly fine garment, we recommend professional cleaning at a dry cleaner experienced with natural fibres.

Small holes of up to about 5 mm can often be repaired at home. Use a fine darning needle and yarn of the same quality and colour as the garment. Wherever possible, we include repair yarn with our products, and you are always welcome to contact us if you need yarn for an older model.

Turn the garment inside out and lay it flat with a small piece of cardboard under the hole. First sew small, parallel stitches across the hole and then crosswise, so that a small weave is formed. Work carefully and without pulling the yarn too tight. With yarn in the same colour, the repair can be very discreet.

For moth holes, the garment should be treated against moths before the hole is repaired. Place it in a sealed bag in the freezer for at least 24 hours, and let it thaw in the bag afterwards.

A repair does not always have to be invisible. Visible darning with contrasting yarn or simple stitches can also become a deliberate part of the garment’s expression and give it new life.

For larger holes, or if you want the repair to be as discreet as possible, we recommend getting help from a professional with experience in repairing fine knitwear.

In Copenhagen you can get help from, among others:

• Sart Strik, Amager repairs cashmere and fine merino, among other things.
• HulHul offers re-knitting and darning of knitwear.
• FRB Skrædder & Rens, Frederiksberg repairs holes and other damage to clothing.

Feel free to write to us if you are unsure about a repair. We and our suppliers know the garments well and can often help assess what is possible and which solution suits best.

For the most part, fine wool does not need ironing. Creases often fall out by themselves, especially if the garment is hung in the bathroom during a hot shower or aired after wearing.

If you need to smooth out creases, use a steamer rather than a regular iron. The steam adds moisture and heat without pressing the fibres flat. Hold the steamer a little away from the fabric and let the steam do the work.

Alternatively, an iron on the wool setting with steam can be used. Always place a damp tea towel between the iron and the wool garment, and iron lightly without pressure.