Soak in sudsy, lukewarm water for five minutes then gently squish to let the suds soak through the fibres. Rinse in lukewarm water using the same squishing action. Roll the garment in a towel to remove excess moisture. Lay it flat to dry in the desired shape, taking special care, as wet wool fibres can stretch out of shape. Dry away from direct sunlight. Fabric softener should be avoided as it causes fibres to stiffen.

A delicate cycle (30c or less and a short spin) does not harm good-quality wool, but this will depend on the make and condition of your washing machine. If you decide to machine wash, turn the garment inside-out and place it in a laundry bag or pillow case with the end tied off, this helps keep its shape.