Care Guide

At Selkie Bay, we believe in the opposite of fast fashion. Our jumpers are knitted from 100% pure wool, designed not for a season, but for a lifetime. True quality demands patience and care. To honour the fibres, the maker, and the planet, these jumpers need to be treated in a way which respects the wool fibres: wash less, hand wash and dry flat. When you care for your jumper properly, it doesn’t just last—it evolves, becoming softer and more unique with every year you wear it.

Before You Wash

In many cases, woollen garments simply need airing rather than washing.

Hang garments outdoors or in a well-ventilated room after wear.
Spot clean small marks where possible.
Avoid unnecessary washing.
Store knitwear folded rather than hanging to prevent stretching.

Hand Wash Only

Hand washing is the safest and gentlest way to care for your garment.

You Will Need:

Lukewarm water
Mild wool detergent or wool shampoo
A clean towel

Method:

Fill a basin or sink with lukewarm water.
Add a small amount of wool detergent.
Submerge the garment gently and lightly move the water through the fibres.
Leave to soak for around 10–15 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly in clean lukewarm water.
Never wring or twist the garment.
Press excess water out gently using a towel.
Lay flat on a dry towel and reshape carefully.
Allow to dry naturally away from direct heat or sunlight.

Drying Wool Knitwear

Correct drying is essential to maintaining the shape of your garment.

Do Not:

Use a tumble dryer
Dry on radiators
Use direct heat
Hang wet knitwear

Do:

Lay garments flat on a towel
Reshape gently while damp
Dry naturally in a warm, ventilated room

Storage

When storing knitwear:

Ensure garments are completely dry.
Fold rather than hang.
Store in a cool, dry place.
Use natural moth deterrents such as cedar or lavender if required.
Avoid plastic bags or damp environments.

Final thoughts

Although care needs to be taken when washing 100% natural wool fibres, they make hardy products which are used in harsh environments. Below are two pictures of Selkie Bay jumpers hard at work reindeer herding in the frozen arctic landscape of Sweden.

Person wearing a traditional wool yoke jumper walking through deep snow in northern Sweden during winter snowfall.

Person wearing a traditional wool yoke jumper standing in a snowy northern Swedish landscape beneath the Northern Lights at night.