Wood fiber is not an ordinary fabric—and needs a little more attention when washing than cotton. Once you know that, you can enjoy your favorite wijld pieces for years.
01 · The short version- Wash before wearing for the first time—especially before exercising
- Delicates detergent only—no heavy-duty detergent, no fabric softener
- 30 degrees, gentle spin cycle (approx. 600 rpm)
- No tumble dryer—air-dry it
- Air it out more often, wash it less often—wood fiber naturally stays fresher than cotton
Lyocell—the fiber your WoodShirts are made of—is obtained from the cellulose of wood. It is silky soft, temperature-regulating, and naturally inhibits bacterial growth. That is why a WoodShirt still feels fresh after a full day.
However, these properties come at a price: Wood fiber is more sensitive to harsh detergents and high temperatures than cotton. Those who take this into account can enjoy it for years—those who do not significantly accelerate the aging of the fiber.
“The gentler you wash your WoodShirts, the longer they retain their properties.”
Fibrillation –
not a defect, but a fiber.
Perhaps you have noticed after several washes that intense colors look somewhat duller than they did at first. This is not a defect—it is a known characteristic of the Lyocell fiber called fibrillation.
The fibers are naturally very fine. During washing, tiny fiber ends can rise to the surface and change the way light refracts—similar to how frosted glass reflects light differently from polished glass. Intense colors such as dark red or blue are somewhat more susceptible than black, white, or pastel shades.
What helps: delicates detergent, low temperature, gentle spinning. What does not help at all: the tumble dryer. This behavior is well known worldwide with high-quality lyocell textiles and diminishes neither the antibacterial properties nor the wearing comfort.
04 · Care step by step
| Detergent | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy-duty detergent | ❌ Not suitable | Bleach damages colors and wood fibers |
| Color detergent | ⚠️ Conditional | Enzymes can accelerate fibrillation |
| Delicates detergent | ✅ Recommended | pH-neutral, without harsh additives |
06 · Wool & Cotton
Wool clothing largely cleans itself — airing it out instead of washing is the rule here. If washing is necessary: hand-wash or use the wool cycle at a maximum of 30 degrees.
Cotton is more durable, but it also benefits from gentle care. Low temperatures, gentle spinning, and air-drying extend the lifespan of every garment, regardless of the material it is made from.
