How To Wash & Care For Merino Wool
Merino wool boasts many attributes, such as its versatility, warmth, breathability, fibre strength and luxurious softness, but maintaining these features requires a little TLC when it comes to washing, drying, ironing and storing your clothing.
At John Smedley, we want to make sure you always get the most from your quality items of clothing by letting you in on the laundry secrets that you may not already know. This is our complete guide to properly caring for merino wool knitwear, from washing for a long lifespan, to avoiding pilling, to protecting against moths, and everything in between. If you want to know exactly how to preserve the softness of your merino wool item for years to come, you are in the right place.
What are the benefits of merino wool?
Merino wool comes from a breed of sheep called the Merino sheep, which is known for producing incredibly soft, fine wool. Through decades of selective breeding, today their wool is known as the finest in the world, and at John Smedley, we produce some of the highest quality merino wool pieces you will find anywhere. We do this by sourcing our wool from the best farmers on the South Island of New Zealand, and putting it through rigorous checks and production stages to guarantee the final product fits the high quality standard we have been known for since 1784.
The extra fine merino wool fibres used in our garments are easily flexed, so they are the perfect choice for clothing design. Plush on skin and never coarse, these fibres do not cause irritation to those with sensitive skin, and are also naturally hypoallergenic, making merino ideal for anyone with allergies or skin conditions.
Merino wool is biodegradable, renewable, reusable, and recyclable, so it is an excellent, sustainable choice for the planet, as well as being a low maintenance fibre that does not require much upkeep compared to other types of wool. Due to its antibacterial and odour resistant nature, it will not require washing as often as other pieces in your wardrobe. With less odour, less laundry to do, and less impact on the environment, there are few downsides to this deluxe fabric.
Why is it important to take care when washing merino wool?
It is thought that people tend to experience discomfort if more than 3-4% of fibres are over 28μm, but at John Smedley, our extra fine merino wool is between 18 and 19μm, which is why our merino wool knitwear is exceptionally soft and lightweight. However, it will only stay that way by following the appropriate care instructions. Sticking to just a few simple rules when washing garments means you can keep your items of clothing looking and feeling their very best.
Research from the University of Leeds found that consumers said clothes lost their original fit and softness after fewer than five washes, on average. A high quality merino wool piece will likely have much more staying power than other fabrics, but nevertheless, washing on a cooler cycle could help to reduce any microfibre shedding from your favourite merino items.
Washing appropriately is also important for the environment; on average, up to 60% of laundry-related greenhouse gas emissions in Europe are down to the process of heating water inside the washing machine. Reducing the temperature by even a few degrees could offer a significant reduction in energy. Whether for the environment or the preservation of your new merino wool garments, it is certainly worth turning the temperature dial down on your next laundry load.
Washing: How to wash merino wool clothing for best results
Washing merino wool according to the instructions is the best way to ensure it remains in excellent condition for as long as possible. You can do this as often as you feel is necessary, but the fewer washes the better to make your clothing last longer. Merino wool is a superb fabric for this, as it is odour resistant and moisture-wicking, so you won’t feel the need to wash it quite as often as other items.
You can hand wash your merino wool knitwear if you need to, but we recommend machine washing on a wool delicate program so you can be more accurate with the temperature, as high temperatures can cause wool to shrink. If you do choose to hand wash, do this by turning the garment inside out and soaking it for around 10 minutes in lukewarm water using a mild detergent. Then, thoroughly rinse with lukewarm then cold water to finish. Try not to pull the fabric around or wring it out when hand washing to avoid manipulating the shape.
If your merino wool knitwear only has a small stain, you can spot-clean with a mild detergent and cold water instead of putting it in a full wash cycle. Avoid rubbing the stain if you can, as this can damage the fibres.
Machine washing is best for merino wool, and you should always do this at a cooler temperature; typically a 30°C cycle is perfect for wool. You should wash it inside out along with similar colours made from wool, but try not to overload the machine as this increases the chance of pulling on the fabric. For the same reason, make sure all zips are zipped up and nothing in the machine could cause the fibres to catch, such as sequinned items of clothing.
Ariel suggests any wool should be washed on a ‘delicate’ wool cycle, which usually means closer to 600 rpm (revolutions per minute) for the final spin cycle. Some people prefer not to do this as it can result in less stain removing power, but if you are only washing your merino wool garment for freshness then it’s best to choose a slower spin cycle to preserve its soft feel.
When washing merino wool, you can use a mild detergent, but keep in mind certain enzymes often found in biological detergents – such as protease – can break down protein molecules of keratin found in merino wool, causing wool erosion. Our Wool Wash is designed as a safe, effective way to wash merino wool without risk of damage.
Pilling: How to avoid pilling on merino wool
Pilling is when consistent rubbing of the fabric causes fibres to work their way to the surface and roll up into small balls, known as pills. Merino wool is less susceptible to pilling than other fabrics, but if this is something you are worried about, ensure you always wash, dry and store your garments correctly to stop this from happening.
You can also avoid washing merino wool with any heavily textured clothing to avoid excessive rubbing inside the washing machine. The merino wool in our John Smedley knitwear is of the highest quality, so pilling is rare with proper care.
Drying: How to dry merino wool to preserve its shape
If you have hand washed your merino wool garment, do not wring it out before drying as this can alter the natural shape. Avoid putting your item in a tumble dryer as there is a likelihood of shrinkage. Merino wool is very fast-drying, so instead, dry it on a washing line, or for best results, lie flat to dry. Also, keep it away from direct sunlight, radiators or fireplaces to protect the fibres from excessive heat.
Some people prefer to dry clean their high quality pieces, so if you would like to (and the label says it is safe to do so) you can take your merino wool knitwear to a professional dry cleaner to put your mind at ease.
Ironing: How to safely iron merino wool garments
If you want to keep merino wool knitwear looking its best, you may wish to iron or steam it to remove any creases or fold lines. Keep your iron on a low setting (unless the care instructions suggest otherwise), and turn your garment inside out if you haven’t already. Always press down without applying too much pressure, as this can flatten the natural fluffiness of the fabric.
When you are done, lay it flat on a smooth surface to let it cool before you store it. Steaming merino wool is also effective for removing creases, but you must take care not to burn the wool by holding the steamer too close to the fabric.
Storing: How to store merino wool garments for a longer lifespan
When it comes time to store your merino wool pieces, you can store them alongside other clothes, but we recommend folding or stacking, as hanging can distort the shape of the shoulders over time. After wearing, it helps to air them out for around five minutes to allow the wool to breathe, regain its shape and naturally deodorise before storing.
For long-term storage, take steps to keep pesky moths away from your merino wool clothing. Moths are known for eating holes in wool, so if you are storing items for the season, compression bags can be useful to protect them and avoid the smell of mothballs. Vacuum storage bags are perfect for this.
We always recommend reading the washing, drying and ironing instructions on the label of the individual item, as there may be slight variations for each style in our range. Ultimately, taking a little extra care when washing can keep clothing looking pristine, smelling fresh, and feeling smooth and soft. Wash according to the care instructions, and you can enjoy your merino wool garment for many years to come.
We hope this comprehensive guide to washing and caring for your merino wool garment allows you to confidently look after your favourite clothing items. If you have any questions about caring for your John Smedley merino wool pieces, feel free to reach out to our friendly team who can help ensure you have everything you need to take proper care of your wardrobe favourites.