Merino wool is a natural fiber that is environmentally friendly, biodegradable and an excellent thermoregulator. Naturally lighter and softer than any other wool, Merino wool is easy to wear next to skin and keeps your body at a comfortable temperature in any weather conditions.
Through a process known as “absorption”, the fabric absorbs humidity and retains heat when temperatures are cold and humid. Conversely, when it’s hot, the wool uses the “evaporation” process to release humidity, making the body feel cool. Given these outstanding qualities Merino wool is sought after in the textile world and is widely used in high performance outdoor clothing.
Most Merino Wool comes from Australia or New Zealand. Merino wool is very
sustainable. It’s made from the fleece of Merino sheep, which is renewable for the life of the animal. Unlike synthetic materials that take up space in landfills, Merino wool biodegrades back into the soil. Studies have shown that the wool will naturally degrade in about four months under normal conditions and even faster in warm and moist environments. Washing Merino wool doesn’t shed microplastics either, so it's safer for oceans.
How to Care for Merino Wool
Merino Wool contains lanolin oil which has a natural cleansing effect. It still has these natural effects even though it’s no longer on the sheep. Therefore the best solution for caring for wool products is to just simply place them outside to air out which then starts the natural cleaning process and the wool will keep clean like that for quite a while depending on how much it’s being used. For a deeper cleaning you can hand-wash the product with a bit of wool soap in cold water.
Sustainability Standards
Several wool industry standards and organizations have been put in place. These certifications ensure sustainable harvesting and manufacturing. When buying Merino wool, look for standards and certifications that ensure the fair treatment of animals and respect for the environment, such as the Responsible Wool Standard, ZQ Merino Standard and the Soil Association Organic Standards.
These organizations ensure that certain standards are met in the following areas:
Animal Welfare
Environmental Sustainability
Quality Fiber
Traceable to Source
Social Responsibility
Regenerative Agriculture Practices
Recycling
If your Merino wool clothing does come to the end of its life, or you simply don’t want to wear it anymore, don’t throw it away; donate it. It can also be recycled via Merino wool recycling programs that donate used clothing to search and rescue programs. Your old Merino wool will be put to good use.
Quality & Comfort
When you purchase clothing made from Merino Wool you know that you are getting a quality garment that will have a high level of comfort and feel luxurious next to your skin. You can also feel confident that some thought and care has gone into resourcing the yarn in order to maintain eco-friendly consumer practices. Merino wool knitwear can last a lifetime.
