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Woolen garments required maintenance:
The Cleaning:
Wool was washed rarely (water and agitation could damage fulling), but it was aired regularly—hung in wind and sun, which removed odors, killed parasites, and refreshed the fabric.
The Mending:
Worn areas were patched, tears were sewn, holes were darned. Garments were too valuable to discard while still functional. A heavily mended tunic was not shame but demonstration of thriftiness.
The Recycling:
When garment was truly beyond repair, it was not thrown away but reclaimed—the fabric became patches for other garments, stuffing for cushions, material for children’s clothing, or was composted to return nutrients to the soil.
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