Wood fiber is not an ordinary fabric — and requires a bit more care when washing than cotton. Those who know this will enjoy their wijld favorite pieces for years.
01 · The short version- Wash before first wear – especially before sports
- Only delicate detergent – no regular detergent, no fabric softener
- 30 degrees, gentle spin cycle (approx. 600 rpm)
- No tumble dryer – let it air dry
- Air out more often, wash less frequently – wood fiber naturally stays fresher than cotton
Lyocell – the fiber your WoodShirts are made from – is derived from the cellulose of wood. It is silky-soft, temperature-regulating, and naturally inhibits bacterial growth. That’s why a WoodShirt still feels fresh after a whole day.
However, these properties come at a price: wood fiber reacts more sensitively to aggressive detergents and high temperatures than cotton. Those who take this into account will enjoy their items for years — those who don’t will significantly accelerate the aging of the fiber.
“The gentler you wash your WoodShirts, the longer they retain their properties."
Fibrillation –
Not a defect, but fiber.
Maybe you’ve noticed after a few washes that intense colors appear a bit duller than at the beginning. This is not a defect — it is a known property of the Lyocell fiber called fibrillation.
The fibers are naturally very fine. When washing, tiny fiber ends can come to the surface and change how the light refracts — similar to how matte glass shines differently than polished glass. Intense colors like dark red or blue are somewhat more susceptible than black, white, or pastel.
What helps: delicate detergent, low temperature, gentle spinning. What doesn’t help at all: the dryer. This behavior is known worldwide for high-quality lyocell textiles and neither diminishes antibacterial properties nor wearing comfort.
04 · Care step by step
| Detergent | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Regular detergent | ❌ Not suitable | Bleach attacks colors and wood fibers |
| Color detergent | ⚠️ Conditionally | Enzymes can accelerate fibrillation |
| Delicate detergent | ✅ Recommended | pH-neutral, without aggressive additives |
06 · Wool & Cotton
Wool clothing largely cleans itself — airing instead of washing is the rule here. If washing is necessary: hand wash or wool program at a maximum of 30 degrees.
Cotton is more durable but also benefits from gentle care. Low temperature, gentle spinning, air drying — this extends the lifespan of every garment, regardless of the material.
