Merino Wool Care Guide
Merino wool clothing doesn't need washing very often. Airing it out is usually enough. You can do this indoors by hanging the garment loosely somewhere with good airflow, but airing it outside works better. Wash merino too often and you strip out the wool's natural oils (lanolin). Lanolin naturally repels dirt and has antibacterial properties, which is why airing alone can “clean” the garment. Unnecessary washing also wears wool out faster.
Washing merino wool – the key points
You don't need to wash it often
- Merino wool resists dirt and odour, so airing is often all it needs to freshen up.
Detergent
- Use a detergent made for merino wool. Unlike regular detergent, it's gentle on the wool's natural lanolin.
- If there's a stain, gently wash just the stained area, for example with ox gall soap.
How to wash
- You often don't need to wash the whole garment. Check for dirty spots or sweat marks.
Drying
- Don't hang wet wool garments – they can stretch out of shape.
- Ideally, dry flat (on top of a drying rack, for example) so the garment keeps its shape.
- When drying a beanie, you can also reshape it while it's damp.
If a merino garment smells bad, it's probably not 100% merino. It most likely contains some polyamide or polyester for extra durability. Pure merino can smell when it's damp too, but airing will get rid of the odour.
If you do need to wash a merino garment, always follow the manufacturer's care instructions first. Many manufacturers don't recommend hand washing, as a washing machine's wool programme is often gentler. Hand washing also carries the risk of using water that's too warm, since it can be hard to judge the temperature.
Manufacturers usually recommend a wool programme at 30 or 40 degrees. Tumble drying is generally not recommended, as it wears the fabric. Don't hang the garment to dry either – drying it flat is the safest option, as it stops the garment from stretching. Laying it on top of a drying rack works well. With beanies especially, take a moment to reshape them as you lay them out to dry, so they don't end up baggy or loose.
Detergents are normally designed to break down oils, so it's safer to wash merino wool with a detergent made specifically for it. We stock specialist wool washes, for example from Nikwax. It treats the lanolin gently.
If you've got a stubborn food stain, gently wash just the stained area, for example with ox gall soap or Marseille soap.
As a final reminder: merino socks, tops and other outer garments rarely need washing. Base layers also last longer if you mostly clean them by airing. Underwear is worth washing now and then for hygiene reasons, but many hikers have found that even underwear stays clean and fresh on the trail with just a rinse and a good airing.