Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Hand wash
• Method 2 of 4: Washing in the washing machine
• Method 3 of 4: Drying and Ironing Merino Wool
• Method 4 of 4: Removing stains
• Tips
• Warnings

Merino wool is considered to be one of the highest quality wool types known for its softness. It comes from merino sheep with very fine wool hairs, ideal for making elastic, breathable knits for sports and cold weather. Despite the benefits of creasing, odor-absorbing and staining, merino wool should be washed periodically, especially when it gets dirty or gets heavily soaked in sweat. This article will show you how to protect this delicate natural material while gentle washing, drying and removing stains.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Hand wash

1. 1 Take a special detergent for washing wool. Merino wool needs a very gentle liquid detergent that will not let the garment shed or damage its fine fibers. Use a shampoo, soap, or detergent specifically designed for wool, such as Weasel or Fluff.
   • Never use fabric softeners or chlorine bleaches on wool.
   • In case of emergency, you can use a pH-neutral liquid soap, such as fragrance-free dishwashing liquid suitable for sensitive skin, for washing.
2. 2 Fill the wash container with water and detergent. Measure out the detergent according to the directions on the packaging. Add the product to a container with enough warm water to completely submerge the woolen garment.
   • The water temperature should be between 30-40 degrees Celsius.
   • If the merino item is very large, consider using the tub directly to wash it or a machine-soak cycle to provide yourself with a large enough soaking container.
3. 3 Let the coat soak for 3-5 minutes. Submerge the merino wool garment completely in the water and let it soak for 3-5 minutes. Then slowly and gently rinse the garment, passing water through it for about a minute.
   • Do not leave the wool to soak for more than a few minutes, as this can deform the fibers.
4. 4 Rinse the item in warm water. Rinse the coat several times under a gentle stream of warm water to remove any traces of detergent. Continue rinsing it until the dripping water is no longer soapy.
   • The temperature of the water for rinsing the merino wool should be the same as the temperature of the water for soaking.
5. 5 Squeeze out excess water. Take the item and squeeze out as much water as possible from it.
   • Do not twist the merino wool during spinning.

Method 2 of 4: Washing in the washing machine

1. 1 Machine wash small items made from merino wool. It is best to avoid machine washing items such as sweaters or leggings. However, smaller items made from merino wool, such as hats, socks or mittens, hold their shape better when machine washed.
2. 2 Wash items of similar colors and materials together. Wash merino wool with clothing of a similar color to avoid possible damage if the wool is shed. Wash groups of items such as dark, light or brightly colored items separately. It is also a good idea to wash merino wool with items of similar weight or thicker fabrics like linen or denim, which will reduce the chance of the wool pilling off.
   • For perfect safety, consider washing your merino wool separately. Separate washing will ensure a longer preservation of both the woolen item itself and the rest of your items.
3. 3 Turn the item to be washed inside out. To protect the thing from falling off or from fluffing up on the front side, it should be washed in the condition that has been pulled out to the wrong side.
4. 4 Use a special liquid detergent for wool. For merino wool, use very gentle detergents that will not shed or damage the fibers. Wash it with a shampoo or detergent specially formulated for wool, or a liquid detergent that is free of chlorine bleach and emollients.
5. 5 Select the correct wash cycle. You will need to use a gentle, delicate or knit cycle to prevent the rotation of the drum from damaging the wool fibers or warping your garment.
   • Note: If you are unable to adjust the washing speed and / or temperature in the washing machine, wash your merino wool items by hand.
6. 6 Set a suitable washing temperature. Merino wool can be washed in constant temperature water, from warm to cool and cold.Usually, washing in warm water at a temperature of about 30 degrees Celsius is considered optimal, however, be sure to read the care information on the sewn-in tag to be sure to use the correct temperature for washing a particular item.
   • Never change the temperature of the water for the rinse cycle. To avoid shrinkage and felting of the wool, the water temperature must remain the same throughout the wash cycle. All operations must be carried out either in warm water or in cold water; different water temperatures cannot be used.
   • Never wash wool in hot water, as this can cause severe shrinkage.
7. 7 Remove the garment from the washing machine immediately after washing. As soon as the wash is finished, immediately remove the merino wool from the washing machine and dry it according to the care instructions. If you leave the wool in a pile with the rest of your wet laundry, it will stretch and lose its shape.

Method 3 of 4: Drying and Ironing Merino Wool

1. 1 Do not use a tumble dryer. Unless the care tag for your merino wool item specifically states that it can be tumble dried, do not use this unit. If the care instructions permit such drying, be sure to set the appliance for gentle operation with low heating temperatures.
2. 2 Never twist merino wool when spinning. Twisting the fabric can seriously deform and stretch it. Squeeze out excess moisture without twisting the wool.
3. 3 Wrap the item in a towel. To remove excess moisture from merino wool, place the garment on a dry towel and roll them together. Press down gently on the roll to squeeze as much moisture out of the wool as possible.
4. 4 Lay the garment out on a flat surface to dry. To maintain the shape and texture of a merino wool garment, spread it while damp and then dry it flat.
   • To dry the wool, you can use the horizontal surface of the drying rack. Some drying racks have mesh sections specially designed for items that need to be dried horizontally. Alternatively, you can simply place your item on a towel spread on a flat surface, such as the floor or bed.
   • Merino wool should not be dried on a hanger, string or hook, as the heavy weight of the wet material will cause the knit to sag and stretch.
5. 5 Keep the item away from heat sources. Do not leave merino wool to dry near heat sources such as batteries or direct sunlight. Dry wool in an open area away from heat sources to prevent shrinkage.
6. 6 If necessary, use a steam iron set for wool. Merino wool does not tend to wrinkle, but if you need to iron your garment, wait until it is completely dry. Then take a steam iron set for wool and iron out any wrinkles on your garment.
   • Do not move the iron back and forth when ironing the wool. Just place it on the fabric, press down for a few seconds and lift it up again. Repeat this process until you completely iron the item.
   • If the garment is knitted with very delicate yarns, cover it with a damp tea towel while ironing. This will further protect the wool fibers.

Method 4 of 4: Removing stains

1. 1 Brush the merino wool. Use a soft-bristled brush to gently remove any dirt, dust and crumbs from the surface of the woolen garment that can stain. This will prevent the build-up of dirt that can tarnish the garment's color or deteriorate its texture.
2. 2 Remove stains immediately. Rinse the stained area with plain cold water or mineral water to prevent the stain from taking hold.Then blot the wet area with a soft dry cloth.
   • Do not scrub the stain with a napkin, as this can enlarge the stain and dig into the coat.
   • Wash especially stubborn stains with a wool detergent. Place some liquid detergent on the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse with cold water.
3. 3 Use white spirit to remove greasy stains. Remove excess dirt with a metal spoon. Then dampen a clean, soft cloth with white spirit. Apply the tissue gently to the stained area until the grease dissolves.

Tips

• If your garment sheds heavily during rinsing, add one teaspoon of salt to the water to act as a stain fixer.
• In very rare cases, you can also resort to dry cleaning the merino wool. Dry cleaning uses harsher chemical cleaners that can damage wool fibers over time. Hand washing is the best option for wool, but dry cleaning can also be useful when you need to get rid of stubborn greasy stains.

Warnings

• Be sure to read the information on the care of woolen items on the sewn-in tags and labels and strictly follow all instructions. Some items require cold water or other special washing and drying instructions.