Hand-knitted and crocheted garments deserve better than standard laundry detergent. Yarn Food is a British family business that makes specialist yarn care products using plant-derived, biodegradable formulas designed specifically for the fibres that knitters and crocheters actually work with. The range is built on a simple principle — the right formula for the right fibre — and every product reflects that in its ingredients, fragrance, and performance. We stock four products from the Yarn Food range, each with a distinct purpose and a distinct fibre in mind.
All four products share Yarn Food's commitment to plant-derived, non-toxic, enzyme-free, phosphate-free, dye-free, and sodium lauryl sulphate-free formulas. All use pump dispensers for clean, accurate dosing with no waste. All are biodegradable. And all require only 5ml — three pumps — per hand wash, making even the 100ml bottles considerably more economical than their size suggests.
Sock Wash — 100ml The Sock Wash is formulated specifically for hand-knitted socks and the yarns they are typically made from — wool, superwash merino, nylon blends, and similar fibres. The key addition that distinguishes it from the general Wool Wash is antimicrobial tea tree oil — a natural antidote to the bacteria, fungi, and odour that socks are particularly prone to accumulating. Lanolin nourishes the fibres. The formula is no-rinse — soak for 20 minutes, gently squeeze, roll in a towel, and lay flat to dry. The tea tree oil also provides a natural layer of protection against moths in storage. Subtle tea tree fragrance.
Wool Wash — 100ml The Wool Wash is the all-purpose animal fibre wash — suitable for merino, cashmere, mohair, alpaca, angora, and any other wool or animal fibre yarn. Lanolin is the key nourishing ingredient, feeding moisture back into fibres and keeping finished garments soft and resilient over years of wear and washing. The formula is no-rinse and works in cold or lukewarm water — add three pumps to a basin, soak for 20 minutes, squeeze gently without wringing, and lay flat to dry. Can also be used in the machine on a wool or delicate cycle at 15ml per wash. Lavender essential oil fragrance, which also provides a natural deterrent against moths in storage.
Cotton Wash — 100ml Plant fibre yarns — cotton, linen, hemp, bamboo — have different nourishing needs from wool. Cotton seed oil is the nourishing ingredient here rather than lanolin, feeding moisture back into plant fibres and helping garments stay soft and in shape over time. The formula is otherwise comparable to the Wool Wash — plant-derived, no-rinse, biodegradable — with a fresh citrus fragrance using lemon peel oil rather than lavender. Suitable for any cotton, linen, or other plant-based yarn.
Wool Blocking Spray — 500ml Blocking is the process that transforms a finished knitted or crocheted piece from something that looks handmade into something that looks professional — opening up stitches, setting the shape, and allowing the pattern to fully emerge. The Yarn Food Wool Blocking Spray is designed for blocking wool and animal fibre garments without a full wash — pin the piece to its finished dimensions, mist lightly from approximately 20cm, gently pat into shape, and leave to dry. The lanolin formula nourishes the fibres as they dry, the lavender fragrance freshens the piece, and the result is a garment that holds its shape and feels renewed. The fine spray action distributes the formula evenly without soaking the fabric. Also useful for reviving and reshaping garments between washes, freshening up items in a suitcase, and protecting stored woollens against moths.
How do you use Yarn Food Sock Wash, Wool Wash, or Cotton Wash? Add three pumps (5ml) to a basin of cold or lukewarm water. Soak the garment for 20 minutes. Gently remove, squeeze without wringing, roll in a towel to remove excess water, then lay flat to dry. No rinsing required. For machine washing, add nine pumps (15ml) to the detergent drawer or drum on a wool or delicate cycle.
Does the Wool Blocking Spray replace washing? No — it is a complement to washing rather than a replacement, designed to extend the time between full washes by refreshing and reshaping garments in between. For garments that need cleaning, washing with Wool Wash is still necessary. Always test for colourfastness before first use.
Which wash should I use for my yarn? Use Sock Wash for hand-knit socks and sock yarns where odour resistance is a priority. Use Wool Wash for all other wool, merino, cashmere, mohair, alpaca, and animal fibre garments. Use Cotton Wash for cotton, linen, hemp, bamboo, and other plant-based fibre garments.
Can these products be used in the washing machine? Yes — all three washes can be used in a washing machine on a wool or delicate cycle. Add nine pumps (15ml) per machine wash. Hand washing is the preferred method as it allows the nourishing ingredients to remain in contact with the fibres for longer.
How many washes do the 100ml bottles give? Each 100ml bottle gives approximately 20 hand washes at the recommended dose of 5ml per wash — considerably more than the size suggests. The 500ml Wool Blocking Spray gives up to 100 uses depending on the size of the garments being blocked.
