How to Care for Your Chiengora Keepsake: A Gentle Guide to Washing, Softening and Drying
If you've received a keepsake made from your pet's fur, first of all: what a lovely thing to have.
Chiengora is the name for yarn spun from pet fur, and it's one of the most personal things we get to make here at Farm To Fibre. Every scarf, hat or little keepsake carries a bit of your best friend, and it's an absolute privilege to be trusted with it.
Now, because your keepsake began life as fur rather than sheep's wool, it likes to be looked after in a particular way. The good news is that it's not complicated. A little gentleness goes a very long way. Here's everything you need to know.
The golden rule: be gentle
If you remember only one thing from this post, make it this: fur and wool fibres don't like agitation, heat or friction. Rubbing, wringing, hot water and tumbling can all cause felting, where the fibres tangle together and tighten up. Once an item has felted, it can't be undone, so we'd much rather help you avoid it in the first place.
Everything below comes back to that one idea.
Washing your Chiengora
Hand wash only
Please hand wash your keepsake. Skip the washing machine, even on a delicate cycle, as the tumbling and spinning is exactly the sort of agitation we're trying to avoid.
What you'll need
- A clean basin or sink
- Lukewarm water (not hot, not cold, just comfortably warm)
- A small amount of people shampoo, or another gentle natural soap
- A clean towel
Since this is pet fur, ordinary people shampoo works beautifully. You don't need anything fancy or specialist.
How to do it
- Fill your basin with lukewarm water and add a little shampoo or soap. Swish the water gently to mix it.
- Place your item in the water and let it sit for a little while. Give it a gentle squeeze now and then to help the water through the fibres.
- Lift it out and rinse in clean, lukewarm water, again with gentle squeezes, until the suds are gone.
What not to do: don't rub, wring or agitate it. Treat it like a sleepy kitten: calm, slow movements only.
Keeping it soft
Over time, you might feel your keepsake becoming a little dry. That's perfectly normal, and there's an easy fix. If you'd like to soften it, you can use:
- Hair oil
- Argan oil
- Conditioner
Use a small amount and work it in gently, in the same spirit as the wash. There's no need to do this every time you wash. Now and again is absolutely fine, so only reach for it when your keepsake is telling you it would like a little treat.
Drying: patience pays off
No tumble dryer, ever
Please don't tumble dry your Chiengora. The heat and the tumbling are a recipe for felting.
- Lay it flat
- After washing, lay your item flat on a clean towel.
- Gently squash the water out by pressing down on it. Again, no wringing or twisting.
- Where possible, leave it to dry flat, away from direct heat such as radiators or heaters.
It may take a little while to dry, but that's all part of looking after something special.
Everyday wear and storing it
These are just sensible, general tips to keep your keepsake feeling lovely:
Handle with care. Fibres that are pulled, snagged or rubbed repeatedly can become tangled or worn, so try to keep it away from rough surfaces.
Keep it away from heat. Just as with drying, avoid leaving it on radiators or in hot spots.
Store it clean and dry. Make sure it's completely dry before you put it away, and keep it somewhere clean and dry where it won't get squashed or snagged.
Display it with pride. If your piece is more of a memento than something to wear, a safe spot where you can see it and enjoy it is just perfect.
Quick questions
- Can I put my Chiengora in the washing machine?
We recommend hand washing only. Machine washing involves agitation, which can cause felting.
- What kind of soap should I use?
Lukewarm water with people shampoo works great, or you can use another gentle natural soap.
- Why can't I wring it out?
Wringing, rubbing and agitating can cause the fibres to felt. Instead, lay your item flat on a towel and gently squash the water out.
- It's feeling a bit dry. What can I do?
You can soften it with hair oil, argan oil or conditioner. You don't need to do this every wash; now and again is absolutely fine.
- Can I use the tumble dryer on a low setting?
No, please don't tumble dry. Lay it flat to dry instead.
- Can I dry it on a radiator to speed things up? We'd advise against it.
Dry your item flat and away from direct heat.
- I'm not sure about something. Who can I ask? Us!
If you have any questions at all, we're only an email away.
Looking after your keepsake doesn't take much: a gentle hand, lukewarm water and a bit of patience. Do that, and you'll have a lovely reminder of your companion to treasure.
If you ever have a question about caring for your piece, please do drop us an email. We're always happy to help, and we love hearing how your keepsake is getting on.
And if you've been curious about Chiengora and wondered whether we could turn your own pet's fur into something special, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch via the Farm To Fibre website and we'll happily talk you through how it works.
With warmth (and a bit of fluff) from Yorkshire, Samantha and everyone at Farm To Fibre.