Machine washable wool

[Arien]

I am knitting a shawl out of some machine washable wool and I was wondering how they process the wool so that it doesn’t felt when you throw it in the wash. I tried googling it but couldn’t find anything except products made out of it.

[The_Blue-Sighted_Shadow]

@Arien

I am knitting a shawl out of some machine washable wool and I was wondering how they process the wool so that it doesn’t felt when you throw it in the wash. I tried googling it but couldn’t find anything except products made out of it.

Here, under Chemical Finishes. Here’s another article on Superwash wool. And here’s an abstract from the Textile Research Journal. It looks like they chemically coat the wool, or remove the scales, or both. Based on the fact that a former wool processing site is now a Superfund site, I would say that the process is, or can be, highly toxic.

[N9IWP]

Smartwool ™ is machine washable, but I couldn’t find exactly what they do (other than select ceratin sheep)

Smartwool® - Merino Wool Outdoor Clothing, Socks & Accessories

Brian
(awesome socks BTW)

[Arien]

@Jahdra

Here, under Chemical Finishes. Here’s another article on Superwash wool. And here’s an abstract from the Textile Research Journal. It looks like they chemically coat the wool, or remove the scales, or both. Based on the fact that a former wool processing site is now a Superfund site, I would say that the process is, or can be, highly toxic.

Thanks. I figured it was sprayed or treated with some sort of chemical but I didn’t know that about the scales. Too bad the wool feels different after the treatment, it’s not as soft.