Can wool dress be handwash?

I got a nice (cheap price) dress made of wool that says dry clean only. Can it be handwash as the dry clean price is too much if i do that everytime i wear that dress. thanks.

Definitely do NOT follow Bruce91's suggestion of washing in hot water! A ten-second Google search came up with plenty of info about handwashing wool jumpers - you should take a look for yourself.


If I were you I would risk washing the dress, especially as it was not that expensive. I've often hand washed woollen items before and also used the special wool programme in washing machines, and they've turned out okay. One example of advice on Google follows:


"Use lukewarm water only for all stages. Lukewarm feels just warm on your hands.


1. Fill a dish with lukewarm water.

2. Add the suggested amount of mild, wool-safe detergent and mix around.

3. Lay your sweater on top of the water and push down into the water.

4. Do not rub, scrub or wring your sweater! Only push down, lift and gently squeeze out the water. Repeat as necessary.

5. When done washing, lift the sweater up and squeeze out the water.

6. Run another dish of lukewarm water and use the same motions to rinse the sweater.

7. Rinse by pushing down, lifting and squeezing until the water runs clear.

8. Squeeze out as much water as possible without wringing.

9. Lay your sweater on a thick dry towel and roll up the towel.

10. Squeeze the towel to remove more moisture.

11. Unroll the towel and fluff your sweater to shape.

12. Leave to dry flat out of direct sunlight."

there are detergent products out there for wool like woolite that you can use


the newer washing machines have a gentle cycle for wool items but haven't tried that option yet. make sure if you do - that you use a laundry net bag for that.

thanks everyone on your tips, yes, i did search on the net how to do it, nobody says hot water. Even without surfing, i know it's not possible to do it with hot water.