Originally Posted by
bearisgray
I have washed Pendleton wool (the men's shirt weight).
It turned out well. I can't tell the washed from the unwashed.
I bought five yard lengths of burgundy, navy, and hunter green way back when the stores were called Minnesota Fabrics. I wonder why I did not buy any black. I think I was going to make myself suits or something. Maybe the store did not have a long piece of black in stock.
I have washed DH's Pendleton shirts at home. I soak them in cool/warm water, rinse in the same temperature water - spin dry or towel dry. No wringing by hand. I might partially dry them in the dryer and then let them air dry on a hanger. They turned out well.
I think they got by cleaner by washing than taking them to a dry cleaner.
I agree. I think they do get cleaner by washing than repeated dry cleaning. However, not all wool washes as nicely as Pendleton (I think it's pretty much the gold standard for wool shirts). Some wool will felt when washed and dried, but that does make for nice applique (as ckcowl shows) and even clothing.