How to wash merino wool?

If you have merino wool clothing in your wardrobe, you have probably wondered at least once how to wash it without felting the fabric, stretching it or losing its softness and useful properties. The simplest answer is: wash merino wool gently, preferably only when necessary and always according to the care label – at a temperature of up to 30°C, using a mild wool detergent, without wringing, and dry it flat.

There are plenty of myths suggesting that wool is difficult to care for and always requires special treatment. The good news is that washing merino wool is not complicated at all. It simply requires a little more attention than cotton or most synthetic fibres.

The most important rule? Do not wash it unless you need to. Wool handles moisture and odours well and does not require frequent washing. Thanks to its natural properties, merino fibres retain less odour and can stay fresh for longer.

You can read more about the thermoregulatory and functional properties of merino on our page about the properties of merino wool.

Merino garments can therefore often simply be aired out until they feel fresh again. Washing less frequently also means lower water and energy use and less mechanical stress on the fibres. In this guide, you will find instructions for hand and machine washing, choosing the right temperature and detergent, drying merino wool and avoiding the most common care mistakes.

Contents

1. How to wash merino wool – a practical step-by-step guide
2. Can merino wool be machine washed?
3. What temperature should merino wool be washed at? Which detergent should you use?
4. How to dry merino wool
5. The most common wool care mistakes

Washing merino wool – quick guide

How to wash merino wool – a practical step-by-step guide

Before washing wool, check the care label. This is important because different products may have different care requirements.

Here is how to wash merino wool step by step:

1. Spot-clean small stains

You do not always need to wash the whole garment. A small stain can often be gently cleaned with a damp cloth. Avoid rubbing vigorously, as this can damage the wool fibres.

2. Choose the right washing method

If the care label specifies hand washing, do not put the garment in the washing machine. If machine washing is permitted, choose a wool or delicate cycle.

3. Keep an eye on the temperature

For KOPYTO products, we recommend washing at a maximum temperature of 30°C. When hand washing merino wool, use cool or lukewarm water.

4. Do not wring

After washing, gently press out excess water. You can also use a towel to absorb moisture. Wet wool should not be twisted, wrung or pulled vigorously – whether you are washing a hat, knitwear or socks.

5. Dry flat

Lay the garment flat and gently reshape it. Avoid radiators and direct sunlight – dry wool garments at room temperature. Strong sunlight may cause the yarn colour to fade, while direct heat can deform the garment.

Drying flat is a much better option than hanging knitwear on a hanger, as it helps prevent stretching. If you are drying garments in a humid room, make sure there is good ventilation and turn them occasionally.

That is essentially all you need to remember when washing wool to help preserve its shape and properties. Merino wool does not require complicated care, but it does need gentle handling.

Can merino wool be machine washed?

Yes – if the care label allows it. Not every merino garment needs to be hand washed. Many modern merino garments and accessories can be machine washed on a wool cycle, provided the correct temperature and washing settings are used. Some garments are also labelled total easy care and are specifically designed for machine washing.

If you want to wash merino wool in a washing machine, choose a wool programme. Set the temperature according to the care instructions and use the lowest practical spin speed. Do not overload the drum.

For KOPYTO products, we recommend a maximum temperature of 30°C and a low spin speed of around 600–800 rpm, or no spin at all.

Do not rely solely on the name of the washing programme. A “wool cycle” may work differently from one washing machine to another. The care label should always be your primary reference.

What temperature should merino wool be washed at? Which detergent should you use?

Temperature really matters when washing wool. Excessive heat combined with intensive mechanical movement may increase the risk of felting or shrinking.

For KOPYTO products, a safe reference point is a maximum of 30°C. When hand washing, the water used for washing and rinsing should be at a similar temperature. Sudden temperature changes are not good for wool fibres.

What detergent should you use for merino wool?

It is best to use a mild detergent designed for wool or delicate fabrics. You do not need a large amount. A stronger detergent will not make the garment “cleaner” and may unnecessarily affect the natural fibres.

Avoid bleach and strong enzyme detergents. Choose products designed for wool or mild detergents that are compatible with the instructions on the care label.

If you are wondering what to wash merino wool with, the simplest answer is: a detergent designed for wool, used in the quantity recommended by the manufacturer.

Some products contain lanolin, a naturally occurring substance found in sheep's fleece. Lanolin can help maintain the flexibility and softness of wool fibres.

How to dry merino wool

Drying is just as important as washing. Wet wool is heavier and more prone to distortion, so avoid hanging a damp sweater on a regular hanger.

After washing, gently press out excess water. You can lay the garment on a dry towel to absorb moisture without stretching the fabric, then leave it to dry flat. Reshape the garment while it is still damp.

In fact, knitwear and many wool accessories are also best stored folded rather than hung, which helps prevent stretching and distortion.

Do not dry merino garments on a radiator or expose them to strong direct sunlight. Choose a dry, well-ventilated place away from direct heat and sunlight.

What about tumble drying?

Again, the care label is the most important reference. Some natural wool products can be tumble dried if the manufacturer explicitly allows it. For KOPYTO products, we generally recommend drying flat.

If you are unsure whether a particular item can be machine washed or tumble dried, it is better not to take the risk. Hand washing and drying flat are generally the gentler option.

Can merino wool be ironed?

A garment steamer can be a practical option. A traditional iron reaches a high temperature and places heat directly against the wool fibres. A steamer can help release creases without pressing the fibres directly with a hot soleplate.

The most common wool care mistakes

Washing after every wear

You do not need to wash a wool garment after every use. If it is not dirty, simply air it in a well-ventilated place. This is one of the most practical advantages of merino wool. Socks and underwear may, of course, need to be washed more frequently.

Using water that is too hot

Wool does not need hot water. Follow the temperature shown on the care label. For KOPYTO products, this is a maximum of 30°C.

Remember that excessive heat can permanently shrink merino wool fibres.

Rubbing and wringing

If there is a stain, remove it gently. Do not scrub the fabric or wring it after washing. Intensive mechanical movement can damage the fibres and encourage felting.

If the garment can be machine washed, turn it inside out. You can also use a laundry bag to help reduce mechanical friction.

Using the wrong detergent

Avoid bleach and strong detergents. Traditional washing powders and fabric softeners may also be unsuitable for some wool garments. Choose a dedicated wool detergent or another mild product and use it according to the care instructions.

Drying on a radiator

A direct heat source is not a good place for wet wool. Lay the garment flat and allow it to dry naturally.

Hanging a wet sweater

The weight of the water can stretch the knit. This is especially important for larger sweaters and cardigans.

Washing without checking the care label

This is probably the easiest mistake to avoid. Do not assume that every wool garment should be cared for in exactly the same way. Different fibres, yarns and fabric constructions can require different treatment.

Worrying too much about pilling

Some pilling can occur even on good-quality wool, particularly in areas exposed to friction. It does not automatically mean that the garment is defective. Pills can be gently removed with a fabric shaver or a wool comb. Turning garments inside out during washing can also help reduce friction.

Take particular care when washing different colours together. Dyes from clothing and accessories may release slightly into the water. It may therefore be better not to wash a red sweater together with a cream hat. When hand washing several items in the same basin, wash the lightest colours first and move on to more intensely coloured garments afterwards.

And that is essentially the whole secret. How should you wash merino wool? Gently, infrequently and according to the care label. There is no need to treat it as a material that is too delicate to touch. Remember the temperature, choose a suitable mild detergent and let the garment dry gently.

And if your garment still smells fresh, has no stains and looks good? You do not need to wash it. Sometimes the best care is simply leaving it alone. Once aired, wool garments can be stored with a suitable natural moth deterrent.

That's it – we hope your wool care routine stays simple and your favourite wool garments last for a long time.

Sources

• The Woolmark Company – care symbols and recommendations for washing and drying wool
• The Woolmark Company – detergents suitable for washing wool
• The Woolmark Company – how to dry wool garments correctly
• The Woolmark Company – wool care, storage and ironing
• The Woolmark Company – washing merino wool products