A comparison of disana boiled wool fabrics


When it comes to choosing the right boiled wool, it’s often not just the season but, above all, the thickness of the fabric that makes all the difference. Our lightweight summer boiled wool and our warm winter boiled wool each offer exactly the comfort that little adventurers need when they’re out and about.

The disana boiled wool fabric

Our boiled wool fabric is something quite special: a knitted wool fabric that is gently compacted through a careful washing process known as ‘boiling’. The result is a material that is virtually windproof and waterproof, whilst retaining all the wonderful properties of natural wool. Unlike loden, which is made from woven and therefore rather stiff fabric, our boiled wool remains pleasantly soft and elastic. This is precisely what makes it the ideal base material for our disana children’s clothing – and increasingly for our adult ranges too.

A peek inside the fulling mill

Water – Movement – Soap

This is how boiled wool is made

A thousand tiny air bubbles

During the fulling process, thousands of tiny air bubbles are trapped within the fabric. These act like a natural air-conditioning system: They retain body heat when it’s cold and allow excess heat to escape when it gets warmer. In this way, the fabric naturally ensures a balanced, comfortable feel. 

It is precisely these temperature-regulating properties that make our boiled wool a true all-rounder – for both the warm and the cold seasons. 

Very few fabrics can do this, which is why boiled wool is usually superior to wool fleece or other wool fabrics. Not to mention the fact that boiled wool doesn’t pill and is much easier to clean.

A thousand tiny air bubbles

During the fulling process, thousands of tiny air bubbles are trapped within the fabric. These act like a natural air-conditioning system: They retain body heat when it’s cold and allow excess heat to escape when it gets warmer. In this way, the fabric naturally ensures a balanced, comfortable feel. 

It is precisely these temperature-regulating properties that make our boiled wool a true all-rounder – for both the warm and the cold seasons. 

Very few fabrics can do this, which is why boiled wool is usually superior to wool fleece or other wool fabrics. Not to mention the fact that boiled wool doesn’t pill and is much easier to clean.

A comparison of disana boiled wool fabrics


Feature Lightweight Boiled Wool Havyweight Boiled Wool Double-Face Boiled Wool
Grammage 260 g/m² 420 g/m² 650 g/m²
Manufacturing Single-bed fabric; knitted like a T-shirt Knitted with double the number of needles Two layers of colour, joined by fine threads
Special Feature Light, airy, protects against UV light Virtually water-resistant and windproof surface Heavyweight, yet soft and elastic
Effect Cools through evaporative cooling Excellent insulation against the cold Particularly cosy and warming
Recommended Use Summer evenings & transitional seasons Chilly days & inclement weather Sofa throws, blankets and baby blankets

It’s the weight per square metre that makes all the difference!


The „Lightweight-Boiled Wool“ 260 g/m²

We knit our lightweight summer boiled wool as what is known as ‘single-layer fabric’. Much like a T-shirt, we first produce a thin, soft knitted fabric, which is then compacted through gentle boiling. During this process, the fabric is washed and spun until it gains around 50% in weight per square metre – and develops its fine texture. The air bubbles trapped in the fabric insulate the wearer against external heat and cold. Woolen fabric also offers protection against wind, moisture and harmful UV light. The fabric itself, however, remains light and airy and allows excess body heat to escape easily. What’s more, as body moisture evaporates in the form of vapour, it creates evaporative cooling. This means woollen fabrics keep the wearer cool on warm days, yet remain a reliable companion on cool summer evenings or during the transitional seasons. Sounds almost a bit like magic? Perhaps. For us, it is above all the wonderful power of nature.

The „Havyweight-Boiled Wool“ 420 g/m²

It is designed for cooler days and provides reliable protection against the cold. Twice as many needles are used when knitting it, and significantly more wool is incorporated into the fabric than in the lighter summer boiled wool. During the compacting process in the large washing drums of our fulling mill, thousands upon thousands of air bubbles are created, providing the fabric with excellent insulation against the cold. The wool is carefully felted until a surface is created that is almost waterproof and windproof. This makes it a faithful companion even in inclement weather. And yet our fulled wool remains pleasantly soft, fluffy and elastic. How do we manage this balancing act? It remains a little secret. This much we can reveal: it is simply water, a little soap and plenty of movement that give our woollen fabrics their special properties – entirely naturally and with a wealth of experience and skill.

It’s the weight per square metre that makes all the difference!


2 Kinder am Strand in disana Zipper-Jacken in Grau & Taubenblau, kombiniert mit Pumphose & Wabenstrick-Pullover in Jade

The „Lightweight-Boiled Wool“ 260 g/m²

We knit our lightweight summer boiled wool as what is known as ‘single-layer fabric’. Much like a T-shirt, we first produce a thin, soft knitted fabric, which is then compacted through gentle boiling. During this process, the fabric is washed and spun until it gains around 50% in weight per square metre – and develops its fine texture. The air bubbles trapped in the fabric insulate the wearer against external heat and cold. Woolen fabric also offers protection against wind, moisture and harmful UV light. The fabric itself, however, remains light and airy and allows excess body heat to escape easily. What’s more, as body moisture evaporates in the form of vapour, it creates evaporative cooling. This means woollen fabrics keep the wearer cool on warm days, yet remain a reliable companion on cool summer evenings or during the transitional seasons. Sounds almost a bit like magic? Perhaps. For us, it is above all the wonderful power of nature.

Zwei Mädchen in disana Walk-Kleidung von disana aus Bio-Merinowolle spazieren am herbstlichen Seeufer

The „Havyweight-Boiled Wool“ 420 g/m²

It is designed for cooler days and provides reliable protection against the cold. Twice as many needles are used when knitting it, and significantly more wool is incorporated into the fabric than in the lighter summer boiled wool. During the compacting process in the large washing drums of our fulling mill, thousands upon thousands of air bubbles are created, providing the fabric with excellent insulation against the cold. The wool is carefully felted until a surface is created that is almost waterproof and windproof. This makes it a faithful companion even in inclement weather. And yet our fulled wool remains pleasantly soft, fluffy and elastic. How do we manage this balancing act? It remains a little secret. This much we can reveal: it is simply water, a little soap and plenty of movement that give our woollen fabrics their special properties – entirely naturally and with a wealth of experience and skill.

disana Doubleface-Decke in Karamell-Natur auf einem hellgrauen Sessel drapiert, im hellen Raum - Wollwalk aus Bio-Merinowolle

The Double-Face - Boiled Wool 650 g/m²

SThey are the heavyweights among our boiled wool fabrics, yet they are pleasantly soft, elastic and wonderfully supple. We therefore love to use double-faced boiled wool fabrics for our sofa and living room throws, or for our cosy baby blankets. Their secret lies in the combination of two differently coloured surfaces. When knitting on our knitting machines, one colour is knitted on one side of the fabric and the other colour on the other side. In between, fine ‘stems’ ensure the two surfaces are joined. The rest is then taken care of by water, a little soap, plenty of movement, and the skill and experience of our wool fullers.

disana Doubleface-Decke in Karamell-Natur auf einem hellgrauen Sessel drapiert, im hellen Raum - Wollwalk aus Bio-Merinowolle

The Double-Face - Boiled Wool 650 g/m²

SThey are the heavyweights among our boiled wool fabrics, yet they are pleasantly soft, elastic and wonderfully supple. We therefore love to use double-faced boiled wool fabrics for our sofa and living room throws, or for our cosy baby blankets. Their secret lies in the combination of two differently coloured surfaces. When knitting on our knitting machines, one colour is knitted on one side of the fabric and the other colour on the other side. In between, fine ‘stems’ ensure the two surfaces are joined. The rest is then taken care of by water, a little soap, plenty of movement, and the skill and experience of our wool fullers.

disana’s boiled wool is a wonderful natural product that stands out for its self-cleaning properties. As the wool still contains a high level of natural wool grease (lanolin), it is naturally dirt- and water-repellent. 

Here’s the ultimate guide to keeping your boiled wool clothes soft and in shape for years to come:

1. The Golden Rule: Less is more

Boiled wool needs to be washed extremely rarely. Often, it is enough to hang the garment out in the fresh air overnight. The moisture in the night air helps the fibres to stand up and naturally neutralise odours.

2. Treating stains correctly

Before reaching for the washing machine, try spot cleaning first:

  • Dry dirt: Simply let sand or mud dry completely and then carefully brush it out with a soft wool brush or a clothes brush.

  • Fresh stains: Gently dab with a damp cloth and a little cold water (do not rub, as this will cause the wool to felt).

3. If washing is necessary

If washing becomes unavoidable (e.g. for heavy soiling or at the end of a season), please follow these steps:

Hand wash (Recommended)

  1. Lukewarm water: Maximum 30°C. Water that is too hot will cause the wool to shrink.

  2. Wool detergent: Use a mild wool-specific detergent.

  3. Do not soak: Just swirl it through briefly; do not leave it submerged for a long time.

  4. Rinsing: Rinse with water of the same temperature. Temperature differences ("cold shock") lead to felting.

Washing machine (At your own risk)

Only if your machine has a very reliable wool cycle:

  • Set the temperature to "Cold" or 20°C.

  • Reduce the spin speed to a maximum of 400 rpm.


4. Drying: No stress

  • Never tumble dry!

  • Do not wring out: Gently press the water out using a towel.

  • Dry flat: Carefully pull the garment into shape and lay it flat on a towel. If hung on a hanger, the heavy, wet wool would lose its shape.

5. The Lanolin Bath (replenishing natural oils)

After washing, the wool loses some of its natural protection. If you notice the fabric absorbing moisture more quickly, a light wool treatment (lanolin) is advisable:

  1. Dissolve wool treatment (lanolin concentrate) in warm water.

  2. Bathe the garment in it (following the instructions on the bottle).

  3. Do not rinse; just gently squeeze out and dry.

Pro-Tip: Pilling (small bobbles) is completely normal for natural wool. You can carefully remove these with a special wool shaver or a pilling comb – it will look as good as new!

disana’s boiled wool is a wonderful natural product that stands out for its self-cleaning properties. As the wool still contains a high level of natural wool grease (lanolin), it is naturally dirt- and water-repellent. 

Here’s the ultimate guide to keeping your boiled wool clothes soft and in shape for years to come:

1. The Golden Rule: Less is more

Boiled wool needs to be washed extremely rarely. Often, it is enough to hang the garment out in the fresh air overnight. The moisture in the night air helps the fibres to stand up and naturally neutralise odours.

2. Treating stains correctly

Before reaching for the washing machine, try spot cleaning first:

  • Dry dirt: Simply let sand or mud dry completely and then carefully brush it out with a soft wool brush or a clothes brush.

  • Fresh stains: Gently dab with a damp cloth and a little cold water (do not rub, as this will cause the wool to felt).

3. If washing is necessary

If washing becomes unavoidable (e.g. for heavy soiling or at the end of a season), please follow these steps:

Hand wash (Recommended)

  1. Lukewarm water: Maximum 30°C. Water that is too hot will cause the wool to shrink.

  2. Wool detergent: Use a mild wool-specific detergent.

  3. Do not soak: Just swirl it through briefly; do not leave it submerged for a long time.

  4. Rinsing: Rinse with water of the same temperature. Temperature differences ("cold shock") lead to felting.

Washing machine (At your own risk)

Only if your machine has a very reliable wool cycle:

  • Set the temperature to "Cold" or 20°C.

  • Reduce the spin speed to a maximum of 400 rpm.


4. Drying: No stress

  • Never tumble dry!

  • Do not wring out: Gently press the water out using a towel.

  • Dry flat: Carefully pull the garment into shape and lay it flat on a towel. If hung on a hanger, the heavy, wet wool would lose its shape.

5. The Lanolin Bath (replenishing natural oils)

After washing, the wool loses some of its natural protection. If you notice the fabric absorbing moisture more quickly, a light wool treatment (lanolin) is advisable:

  1. Dissolve wool treatment (lanolin concentrate) in warm water.

  2. Bathe the garment in it (following the instructions on the bottle).

  3. Do not rinse; just gently squeeze out and dry.

Pro-Tip: Pilling (small bobbles) is completely normal for natural wool. You can carefully remove these with a special wool shaver or a pilling comb – it will look as good as new!

Our tips for proper care

Wool Shampoo
Size: 200 ml

€9.00*
Ox-Gall Soap
Size: 200 ml

€10.00*