How to Care for Your Harris Tweed Cover

Built to Last — With a Little Love

One of the great joys of Harris Tweed is its extraordinary durability. This is a fabric that has been trusted for generations — worn by fishermen on the Scottish coast, carried through decades of daily life, and still looking beautiful. Your Harris Tweed Bible cover shares that same resilience.

But like all natural materials, Harris Tweed rewards a little care and attention. Follow these simple guidelines and your cover will not only last for years — it will actually improve with age, developing a rich patina that tells the story of its use.

Understanding Harris Tweed

Before we get into care instructions, it helps to understand what Harris Tweed actually is. It's a 100% pure virgin wool fabric, handwoven in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Wool is a remarkable natural fibre with some built-in advantages when it comes to care:

• Natural water resistance — wool fibres contain lanolin, a natural wax that causes water to bead on the surface rather than soak in immediately
• Odour resistance — wool naturally resists odours, meaning your cover won't need frequent washing
• Self-cleaning properties — wool fibres have a natural ability to release dirt when aired
• Resilience — wool fibres can bend up to 20,000 times before breaking (compared to cotton at 3,200 times)

This means that in many cases, your Harris Tweed cover will need far less intervention than you might expect.

Day-to-Day Care

The best care is preventative. A few simple habits will keep your cover in excellent condition:

Air it regularly. If your cover has been in a bag or enclosed space, give it a few hours in fresh air. Wool breathes, and airing it out will keep it fresh and help maintain its natural properties.

Brush away surface dirt. A soft-bristled clothes brush (or even a clean, dry toothbrush for smaller areas) is your best friend. Brush gently in the direction of the weave to lift away dust, crumbs, or surface debris. This is often all the cleaning your cover will ever need.

Store it flat or upright. When not in use, store your Bible cover flat or standing upright — avoid folding it in ways that create sharp creases, as these can stress the fabric over time.

Dealing with Spills and Stains

Accidents happen. Here's how to handle them without damaging your cover:

Act quickly. The sooner you address a spill, the better. Blot (don't rub) the affected area with a clean, dry cloth to absorb as much liquid as possible. Rubbing can push the stain deeper into the fibres and cause the fabric to felt.

Spot cleaning. For most stains, spot cleaning is the best approach. Use a small amount of cool water and a tiny drop of gentle wool wash or mild soap. Apply with a soft cloth, working from the outside of the stain inward to prevent spreading. Blot dry with a clean cloth and allow to air dry naturally.

Avoid hot water. Heat is wool's enemy. Always use cool or lukewarm water — hot water will cause the fibres to shrink and felt, which is irreversible.

Never wring or twist. If the fabric gets wet, press it gently between clean towels to remove excess moisture. Never wring or twist the fabric, as this can distort the weave.

What to Avoid

A few things that can damage Harris Tweed:

• Machine washing — the agitation of a washing machine will cause the fibres to felt and shrink. Always hand wash or spot clean only.
• Tumble drying — heat and tumbling will damage the fabric. Always air dry flat.
• Dry cleaning solvents at home — if you feel professional cleaning is needed, take it to a reputable dry cleaner with experience in wool fabrics.
• Direct sunlight for extended periods — prolonged exposure to strong sunlight can fade the colours over time. Store away from direct light when not in use.
• Moth damage — like all wool products, Harris Tweed can be vulnerable to moths. Store with cedar blocks or lavender sachets as a natural deterrent, and check periodically if storing for long periods.

If Your Cover Needs a Deeper Clean

On the rare occasion that your cover needs more than spot cleaning, you should take it to be professionally dry cleaned, however,  hand washing is possible — but proceed with care:

1. Fill a basin with cool water and add a small amount of specialist wool wash
2. Submerge the cover and gently squeeze the water through the fabric — do not rub or agitate
3. Rinse thoroughly in cool water until all soap is removed
4. Press gently between clean towels to remove excess water
5. Reshape the cover while damp and lay flat to dry on a clean towel, away from direct heat or sunlight
6. Allow to dry completely before use — this may take 24 hours or more

The Beauty of Age

Here's something worth knowing: Harris Tweed is one of those rare materials that genuinely improves with age. The fibres soften slightly with use, the colours deepen and develop character, and the fabric takes on a beautiful lived-in quality that new cloth simply can't replicate.

Many of our customers tell us that their cover becomes more beautiful the longer they use it. That's the nature of genuine craft — it's made to be used, loved, and carried through life.

With a little care, your Sarah Jayne Designs cover won't just last for years. It will become an heirloom.

Have a question about caring for your cover? Get in touch — we're always happy to help.