One of the best things about merino wool is its natural odour resistance. But that's not an excuse to never wash your base layer!
Properly washing and caring for your merino wool clothing can keep it going for years. And it'll stop your base layer coming out the washing machine looking like it's been designed for small toddler...
Yes! Merino wool is naturally odour resistant but you'll still need to wash your clothing once in a while. And a bit more than once in a while for your pants! Try to only wash your Merino base layers and clothing when you really need to as washing is mechanically stressful for the wool fibres. The best way to tell if your clothing needs washing is a simple sniff test: when 'slight whiff' becomes 'distinct pong', it's time to wash your clothing.
We've witnessed a huge array of wool washing disasters over the years. You don't need to be afraid of washing your merino wool clothing but there are definitely some things you should avoid to keep your wool wearable for as long as possible.
No. Never tumble dry your Merino wool clothing. Ever. Seriously, we mean it!
Nope! This will shrink the fibres and damage your clothing beyond repair.
Always use a gentle liquid detergent our liquid soap flakes. Soap powder residue will cling to the fibres and inhibit their ability to wick moisture away from your body. There's also evidence to suggest that particles of soap powder can cause more wear to your clothes inside the washing machine.
Another big nope! Merino wool fibres are much finer than standard wool which means they should already feel nice and soft. Not only that, fabric softeners interfere with your clothes' natural moisture wicking and odour-resistant properties.
Snags, tears and troublesome holes can be easily mended by darning the area using silk sewing thread. Well, we say 'easily mended' – that depends entirely on your sewing skills! Ideally, you should patch up any holes before wearing your clothes again to prevent tiny pinpricks from growing into gaping, great rips
If you don't fancy your sewing skills, you can always send it to one of our store's Repair Stations and we'll look after it for you.
Pilling happens when the shorter Merino fibres find their way to the surface of the fabric. It’s a natural process. To prevent pilling, we recommend washing your Merino before you wear it. If pilling does occur, pop them in the wash with a pair of jeans (make sure all zips are closed on your jeans).