How do I wash merino wool?
The Smart Merino Care Guide
Yes, you can machine wash all our merino brands. Chuck it on a gentle or wool cycle at 30°C using wool-specific detergent. Avoid bleach or fabric softeners as they ruin the fibers. To dry, lay it flat in the shade to keep its shape—never use a tumble dryer.
Merino Care Cheat Sheet
The Do's and Don'ts
Do This
- ✔ Wash at 30°C on a Wool/Delicate cycle.
- ✔ Turn garments inside out to reduce pilling.
- ✔ Use a pH-neutral wool detergent.
- ✔ Air dry flat in the shade.
- ✔ Store with cedar balls (seasonal).
Never Do This
- ❌ Never use hot water (shrinks fibers).
- ❌ Never use fabric softener (blocks breathability).
- ❌ Never use bleach (destroys proteins).
- ❌ Never tumble dry (guaranteed shrinkage).
- ❌ Never soak for long periods.
Machine Washing vs. Hand Washing
There's a myth that you have to hand wash all high-quality wool. That might have been true for your nana's knits, but modern washing machines are perfectly safe for our merino garments—provided you use the Wool or Delicate cycle.
⚠️ The Detergent Trap: The biggest mistake people make isn't the machine; it's the detergent. Standard laundry powders often contain enzymes that "eat" wool fibers. Always use a pH-neutral liquid wool detergent.
The Science of Shrinkage
"Merino fibers have microscopic scales along their surface. Under high heat or heavy agitation, these scales open up and lock together like velcro (felting). Keeping the water cool (30°C) keeps these scales smooth and your gear fitting correctly."
Managing Pilling
How to keep it looking new
Pilling is a natural process for any staple fiber. The good news is that this usually settles down after 3-4 washes as loose fibers are shed.
The "Denim Trick": Wash your merino alongside denim jeans (zippers closed!). The texture of the denim acts as a gentle exfoliator, removing loose fibers before they bobble.
How to Remove Pills: If bobbles do appear, never pull them off by hand. Use a fabric comb or shaver to slice the pill off cleanly.
This advice aligns with official care standards for New Zealand Merino wool. Our garments are tested for durability in New Zealand conditions.
Applicable to: Brass Monkeys, Nature's Secret, From Merino With Love, and natclo.