How can I wash Merino wool?

With baby products, you are quick to wash the goodies regularly so everything is nice and fresh.

However, wool products do not improve from such a wash. For our Merino wool products the following applies; only when there is no other way.

Self-cleaning effect of wool

Merino wool naturally has properties that make it self-cleaning, and these properties are due to the structure of the wool fibers:

1. Natural fats: Merino wool contains lanolin, a natural fat produced by sheep. Lanolin has antibacterial properties and helps protect the wool from microorganisms that cause odors. It also makes the wool water repellent.
2. Preventing odors: The structure of merino wool makes it less likely to retain odors than synthetic materials. The fibers have a complex structure that absorbs and retains odor molecules, making them less likely to be released.
3. Self-cleaning ability: Merino wool tends to push dust and dirt to the surface of the fibers rather than holding them. This makes it easier to clean the wool by simply airing or light brushing. The wool's natural properties also help repel dirt.

Still want to freshen up your cardigan or Snuggle because it doesn't smell so good, for example? Often hanging it outside is enough. If the weather does not allow it, you can also hang it in a damp room such as the bathroom. Make sure you ventilate the room well.

Treating stains

To remove stains, use a special stain cloth.

Still washing? 

Do you want to wash merino wool anyway? Then keep the following in mind:

Hand wash

1. Hand washing is the best choice: Use lukewarm water (max 30 C) and a mild wool detergent. Gently soak the item and gently press the water to remove dirt and residue.
2. Gentle movements: Do not rub or wring the item too hard, as merino wool is delicate and can felt or damage if handled too roughly.
3. Rinse thoroughly: Rinse the item thoroughly with cool water to remove all soap residue. Make sure no excess water remains in the fabric.
4. Dry flat: Lay the item flat on a drying rack or towel to dry. Avoid hanging, as this may affect the shape of the garment. Make sure it is completely dry before using it again.
5. Avoid direct sunlight: Do not let the product dry in direct sunlight, as this may fade the color and damage the fibers.

• Use a wool wash program: Modern washing machines often have special wool wash programs designed to handle delicate textiles. Use this program instead of the standard wash program. A wool wash program causes the water temperature to slowly warm up to 30 degrees max. Also, a wool wash program washes your merino wool with fewer revolutions and thus less friction, special to prevent felting. 
• Cold water: Set the washing machine to a cold water temperature. (max 30 C) Hot water can remove the lanolin from the wool faster and lead to shrinkage.
• Mild wool detergent: Use a mild wool detergent to clean the fibers without affecting the lanolin too much.Do notuse fabric softener!
• Avoid overloading: Do not overload the washer as this can cause friction between garments and damage the fibers.
• Turn the article inside out: This reduces friction between the wool and other garments, reducing the likelihood of fiber damage.
• Place it in a laundry bag: If possible, use a mesh laundry bag to provide extra protection for the merino wool, especially if you are washing other garments in the same load.
• Centrifuging: Avoid high speeds when centrifuging as this can damage the fibers and lead to shrinkage. Max. 600-800 rpm. (here the less, the better)

Flat dry: After washing, lay the merino wool flat to dry. This helps maintain its shape and prevents excessive stretching of the fibers.

My wool article shrank anyway. What can I do?

When you treat merino wool incorrectly, it can shrink

The wool fiber of Merino wool is a scaled fiber. This fiber hooks onto another fiber. This is what makes wool so soft to the touch.

However, when you treat the wool incorrectly, these scales close. This reduces the volume because the air in the fiber disappears, so to speak, with the result that your garment has shrunk.

Possible causes:

• Spin speed too high: The more rpm, the more friction. And this very friction causes your garment to shrink by damaging the wool fibers.
• Fabric softener used: the softeners in it damage wool fibers.
• Washing too hot: When you wash wool at a temperature warmer than 30 degrees you deform the wool fiber. This can cause the garment to shrink or felt.

Preventing Stains

Of course, preventing stains is incredibly difficult with a baby. Especially when you have a baby who spits up quickly, stains are inevitable. When using the Snuggle, it may be advisable to place a hydrophilic cloth or spit swab under the baby's head. For clothing, you could use a bib in that case.