Wool clothing is not automatically restricted to hand washing, but machine washing is not an assumption to make from the fiber name alone. Woolmark explains that an appropriate machine-wash care claim identifies garments intended for that treatment. Its guidance then points to a wool cycle or a suitable gentle alternative and a mild wool detergent.

Illustrative image of clothing care
Illustrative image.

A hand-wash-only claim calls for a different routine with lukewarm water and gentle handling. Read the permission first, then select the method and detergent that fit it. The reference also recommends flat drying after washing, showing why deciding on the wash cycle does not complete the care-label check.