Merino wool: why wear it and how to care for it
Sep 20, 2024
Wool is a Wonder. And what about merino! It absorbs moisture like a sponge, yet it’s still beautifully warm, has antibacterial properties, is breathable and, when combined with other fibres such as nylon, it’s incredibly durable...
Wool is an active fibre that responds to changes in body temperature. The outside of the wool fibre is hydrophobic (water repellent), but the inside of the fibre also absorbs water. As a result, the fibre can hold up to 30% of its volume weight in water vapour without appearing wet. This gives the wool a high comfort factor - it still keeps you warm even when wet. This is one of the reasons it’s used by nomads, herders and fishermen living and working in harsh climates.
Merino is the wool of the sheep with the same ‘Merino’ name; an ancient breed living mainly in the cold regions of New Zealand and Australia (but breeding soon spread them worldwide). Thanks to its perfect and comfortable coat, this sheep can survive harsh winters and warm summers. The fibres have a wavy texture that makes it flexible and allows merino garments to retain their shape. Merino is lighter than other wools but it still warms, making it an ideal layer.
• It is insulating and thermoregulating just like traditional wool. It retains its warmth even when it is damp or even wet. Merino wool can hold moisture up to 30% of its own weight! And what's the best part? You won't notice it - the wool will just keep on warming.
• It's hygienic! It has a naturally antibacterial composition, hence its ability to be odourless. Even when worn for long periods of time, merino wool clothing doesn't smell, and when it does, just air it out or rinse it with cold water!
The BUSHMAN brand has now incorporated 80% merino wool into, for example, the BRIGID women's sweater. This gives women the opportunity to experience the pleasant wearing comfort and high thermal comfort of this unique, renewable fibre. And thanks to the addition of nylon, the sweater retains the softness of merino wool, but is also supple and durable. Clothing made of 100% merino wool (i.e. without any synthetic fibres) resists pressure and friction poorly and is very difficult to dry, which is why the use of a small percentage of nylon is appropriate.
• Merino doesn't need to be washed after every wearing because wool is naturally antibacterial and odour resistant. Instead, hang the garments to air dry between wears, or rinse with cold water and let them dry thoroughly.
• If you want to wash merino wool, wash it in the washing machine at 30ºC on low speed.
• Using a detergent designed specifically for wool clothing has been shown to extend the life of merino. Avoid using fabric softener, which coats the fibres and makes them less breathable!
• Hang merino wool to air dry and shape it while it is still damp. Do not use a dryer. The heat from the dryer can cause the fibres to shrink!
• Merino wool clothes can be scented with your favourite perfume or essential oil, dripped on a ceramic plate (gauze or kitchen sponge) and placed with the wool clothes, as well as special aromatic sachets, suitable for hanging in the wardrobe.
Merino is the wool of the sheep with the same ‘Merino’ name; an ancient breed living mainly in the cold regions of New Zealand and Australia (but breeding soon spread them worldwide). Thanks to its perfect and comfortable coat, this sheep can survive harsh winters and warm summers. The fibres have a wavy texture that makes it flexible and allows merino garments to retain their shape. Merino is lighter than other wools but it still warms, making it an ideal layer.
Výhody merino vlny:
• It's soft and gentle! The fibres of merino wool have a very small diameter (ranging from 15 to 28 microns), which makes the yarn softer and the knitted fabrics silky soft. Therefore, pieces made of merino wool (or with a proportion of merino wool) are really comfortable to wear!• It is insulating and thermoregulating just like traditional wool. It retains its warmth even when it is damp or even wet. Merino wool can hold moisture up to 30% of its own weight! And what's the best part? You won't notice it - the wool will just keep on warming.
• It's hygienic! It has a naturally antibacterial composition, hence its ability to be odourless. Even when worn for long periods of time, merino wool clothing doesn't smell, and when it does, just air it out or rinse it with cold water!
The BUSHMAN brand has now incorporated 80% merino wool into, for example, the BRIGID women's sweater. This gives women the opportunity to experience the pleasant wearing comfort and high thermal comfort of this unique, renewable fibre. And thanks to the addition of nylon, the sweater retains the softness of merino wool, but is also supple and durable. Clothing made of 100% merino wool (i.e. without any synthetic fibres) resists pressure and friction poorly and is very difficult to dry, which is why the use of a small percentage of nylon is appropriate.
How to look after Merion wool:
• Merino doesn't need to be washed after every wearing because wool is naturally antibacterial and odour resistant. Instead, hang the garments to air dry between wears, or rinse with cold water and let them dry thoroughly. • If you want to wash merino wool, wash it in the washing machine at 30ºC on low speed.
• Using a detergent designed specifically for wool clothing has been shown to extend the life of merino. Avoid using fabric softener, which coats the fibres and makes them less breathable!
• Hang merino wool to air dry and shape it while it is still damp. Do not use a dryer. The heat from the dryer can cause the fibres to shrink!
• Merino wool clothes can be scented with your favourite perfume or essential oil, dripped on a ceramic plate (gauze or kitchen sponge) and placed with the wool clothes, as well as special aromatic sachets, suitable for hanging in the wardrobe.
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