Usually, fiber wool, synthetic, and cotton are three materials for making clothes. It is much easier to take care of cotton and synthetic garments, but only a few know the best way to wash and maintain wool clothing.
If not handled with care, chemicals, and heat can significantly affect wool items. Exposing these products to cold water can also weaken the fiber. In this article, we are going to list the types of wool items that you can consider purchasing and answer the most important question;
Table of Contents
- Section 1： What Makes Wool Attractive?
- Section 2： Is There A Better Choice Between The Press Felt And Woven Felt?
- Section 3： What Are The Similarities Between The Press Felt And Woven Felt?
- Section 4： How To Make Pressed Wool And Woven Wool Last Longer？
- Conclusion
Should you go for pressed wool or woven wool?
Section 1： What Makes Wool Attractive?
The wool used to make a wide range of decorations and clothing wore different body parts. Most of the garments in the market today are made of wool compared to other materials. Among the top wool products include;
- Suits and jackets
- Hats
- Neckties
- Coast and other outwear
- Long underwear
- Gloves
- Socks
- Trousers
In the recent past, wool garments have been gaining popularity, with wool decorations and clothing in very high demand. But what are the features of wool that make it attractive?
Appearance
Wool items are thick fabric with rich textures. This fabric ranges from thick and coarse to hairy. The material is also smooth and lightweight.
Warmth
Wool materials are also known for their heat-retaining nature. After all, animals have this on their body to keep warm. Even a thin wool jacket can keep you warm during the coldest seasons, giving you the best reason to get a couple of wool garments when winter knocks.
Resiliency
Most suit jacket materials are wool, and this is for obvious reasons. Wool items retain their shape for longer periods. When handled with care, these garments can last for decades!
Water resistance
Wool is also water-resistant. The materials are highly absorbent, so sailors and anglers in cold regions wear tightly woven sweaters for protection.
Section 2： Is There A Better Choice Between The Press Felt And Woven Felt?
Now that you already know the benefits of using wool products, the next question would be; is there a better option between pressed felt and woven felt?
Even before getting into details, the most important thing to note is that clothing manufacturers can give a wide range of options when purchasing wool products. Whether it is the weight difference or the handcrafted options, there are only a few basics that you should be aware of when purchasing wool products. If you are curious to know how wool felts are produced, here is a useful YouTube video for you;
Now let’s take a closer look at each of these two types of wool felts
2.1 What are the benefits of using woven felt?
Woven wool products are woven into clothes and felted using pressure and steam to interlock the fiber. The result is usually a durable and resilient fabric. Woven wool is mostly used to make blankets, door seals, rugs, upholstery, wall hangings, table linens, coats, jeans, canvas, curtains, sheeting, and musical instruments. Woven wool items are among the fastest-selling products. You can choose from a wide range of styles and colors. Generally, woven wool materials are more durable than pressed wool. They can be a perfect choice when you want a strong material with added flexibility.
Quick facts about woven wool
The good: Durable and long-lasting
The bad: Quite expensive
Why it is preferred: Different types of colors and materials are available. Woven wool is also durable and can last for a longer period.
2.2 What are the benefits of using pressed felt?
Pressed felt is an older form of fabric compared to woven felt. It involves pressing together wool fibers using steam and fiber. Pressed felt materials are less durable compared to woven felt. They are, however, an inexpensive option and can also be made thicker. There are only a few loose fibers in pressed wool items, and the parts do not fray. Pressed wool makes filters, wicks, wipers, pads, shock dampeners, and bushings. The items are great in sound insulation, sealing, and heat prevention. Other characteristics of pressed wool materials include;
- Durability
- Moisture-proof
- Flexibility
- Lightweight
- Easy decomposition
Pressed wool materials are rich in color and are available at low prices. This fell into two categories:
- Virgin pressed wool (off-white or crème color)
- The pressed reprocessed version (industrial grey)
These two groups have varied densities, and the prices also vary. Some pressed wools can be value-added using die-cutting, slitting, or adhesive coating.
Quick facts about pressed wool
The good: Affordable
The bad: Compared to woven wool, pressed wool products to have a shorter lifespan
Why preferred: Pressed wool products are available at competitive prices. You can also find a wide range of colors and designs to choose from
2.3 Pressed felt vs. woven felt, which one is easier to wash?
Woven felt is always the best option when it comes to quick washing. The material has a more absorbent ability, making it easier to clean. On the other hand, pressed wool materials are less flexible. Hand and dry cleaning are the best washing methods for pressed wool. They barely clean well in washers.
Section 3： What Are The Similarities Between The Press Felt And Woven Felt?
Even with these variations, woven felt and pressed felt are excellent materials. They only require more attention compared to synthetic materials. Perhaps this is why the invention of synthetic fibers is welcome; they are easier to maintain, require less ironing, and are easy and fast to wash. With proper care, wool items can last enough to handle the intended purpose. If you live in the countryside, you may have a handful of wool blankets that have lasted for years and are still in use. This clearly indicates how useful and durable wool products can be.
3.1 Factors affecting the quality
We have already described the basic differences between pressed felt and woven felt. These variations are apparent once the designer works on the wool. According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wool, the choice of yarn and fiber also play an important role in product quality. If the material is soft-span, the final product is soft and pliable even when the original material is stiff. On the other hand, a tightly spun yarn can reduce knit flexibility, creating a stiffer fabric. What was initially woven fabric can also undergo some changes? For instance, you can dye knit leggings to resemble jeans that mimic a knit.
Section 4： How To Make Pressed Wool And Woven Wool Last Longer？
Both pressed wool and woven wool, being animal products, have a few weaknesses that our bodies do. Since wool strengths originate from animal proteins, they can easily be damaged or destroyed by chemicals or physical wear and tear. The materials are, however, stronger than cotton and are resistant to dirt. They are also long-lasting compared to human-made synthetics. The trick is to keep your wool items well, which will be the most durable fabric.
Woven Wool And Pressed Wool: Heat
Avoid placing your wool items in direct sunlight. This is because direct heat can change the shape of the threads, distorting the products. Please do not iron the wool items with minor wrinkles; hand them in the bathroom when taking a hot shower. Warm air will help to loosen the wool and retain its shape.
Woven Wool And Pressed Wool: Wet
Wet wool is less strong. Once the item gets wet, you should prevent further stretching by laying them flat rather than hanging it. Also, do not place it near a heat source to dry.
Woven Wool And Pressed Wool: Dry cleaning
Since heat and water can negatively affect wool products, please do not use a machine washer on them. The best way to clean your wool items is through dry cleaning. This is a cheaper option; you don’t have to do it often. When you take the clothes off, a quick brushing is enough. Only take them for cleaning when they are entirely soiled.
Woven Wool And Pressed Wool: Storage
The best way to store wool items is by preventing three main enemies; light, heat, and insects. We have already discussed how heat affects wool materials. Light also fades wool items over time, and insects are the worst danger. Avoid exposing the products to moths. If possible, use thick wooden hangers to store your wool jackets.
Conclusion
Pressed wool and woven wool products provide warmth, style, and strength. But this is only when they get the proper care. Using wool products comes with its share of benefits. And since most of these products are expensive, it is always important to handle them with care and ensure that they stay attractive and study for longer.
We highly recommend our readers use suits and overcoats made of wool. Some suits may be blended with synthetics for flexibility, and the overcoat is waterproofed by addicting some additional materials.
We hope that our article will help you make a better decision when it comes to the purchase of pressed wool and woven wool materials. Our main aim is to ensure that all your questions concerning wool items are answered and that you get the best products to meet your needs.