HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR WATSON ELLIS

POINTERS FOR MOHAIR CARE

Link to Mohair South Africa website which gives you some information about Mohair https://www.mohair.co.za/

Cleaning

Mohair must be washed carefully by hand with no twisting or wringing involved. Lay the fabric in a basin or sink filled with lukewarm or cool water and a few drops of wool soap or other cleanser designed for delicate fabrics. Agitate the water gently and lightly squeeze the fabric to dislodge soil, then rinse the mohair thoroughly in lukewarm water. Avoid drycleaning because harsh chemicals may damage the fibers. Treat stains immediately with a mild detergent. Never use bleach or fabric softener.

Drying

The preferred way to dry mohair fabric is to gently squeeze the fabric to remove excess moisture and lay the piece flat on a towel in a shady area, as air-drying preserves the loft of the fibers. Avoid direct sunlight because UV rays may fade the color of the wool and weaken the fibers. Although mohair is relatively shrink-resistant, use of electric clothes driers is generally not recommended. Never line-dry mohair because the weight of the damp fabric will stretch and distort the fibers.

Storage

Like most woolen fabrics, mohair is susceptible to damage by moths. Always clean the fabric before storage because soiled fibers provide food that attracts the pests. Avoid storing mohair in plastic because the fabric needs to breath. Instead, place loosely folded fabric in a cotton bag or pillowcase, then store it on a shelf in a cool, dry area. Never hang mohair because the rubbing of the hangers wears the fabric.

Maintenance

To restore the fluffiness of mohair fabric, shake the fabric gently or brush it lightly with your hands. Avoid ironing, which crushes and flattens the fiber. However, you can use a steamer or an iron set on the "steam" setting to even out light wrinkles and irregularities in the fabric. Hold the fabric at least 6 inches from the steam. If mohair fabric sheds, place it in a clothes dryer on the "air fluff" setting for about 10 minutes.