MERINO WOOL: 5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD WEAR IT

For some reason, wool clothing still brings to mind something unpleasant. No offence to our wonderful grandmothers but the memories of thick and irritating wool socks, mittens and sweaters still haunt us and the mere image of itchy leggings is stuck in our minds. But the truth is that back then our parents and grandparents simply didn’t have access to high-quality wool and had to make do with what they had. But reality has shifted a long time ago and nowadays the softest wool comes from Australian merino sheep whose wool fibres are long, fine, and slightly twisted. It’s nothing like the coarse fibres of sheep back in the olden days. This blog post focuses on what makes wool so special and why merino wool products are a must-have for every child and adult especially in climates with different seasons.

MERINO WOOL VS COTTON: WHICH IS BETTER?

The short answer is that merino wool is better, but a longer answer however requires elaboration. It all depends on temperatures and the surrounding environment. When it’s spring, autumn and winter, merino wool is the best thing. When it’s summer, you might want to consider one-layered cotton or merino-silk but that’s another story for another time. You just have to remember that merino wool only works when used as the first layer against the skin. Here are 5 reasons why you should prefer merino wool to other materials:

It regulates body temperature. Merino wool keeps you warm when it’s cold and cools you down when it’s warm. It’s essential for kids, adults and especially babies who aren’t able to regulate their own body temperature yet.
It whisks away excess moisture. Merino wool is a great helper when it comes to sweating or damp nappies. It maintains its qualities like temperature control and heat retention even when wet or damp.
It’s antibacterial and easy to take care of. Merino wool contains lanolin, which has antibacterial properties. You don’t need to wash your merino items every time you use them, just place them in a well-ventilated space (like a balcony for example) and you’re good to go!
It is suitable for very sensitive skin. Merino wool works even with different skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, because the innovation in wool production has created next-to-skin comfort. It has also been proven that merino wool has extremely low levels of irritants when it comes to chemicals and dyes.
It is 100% natural. Merino wool is a truly eco-friendly choice compared to different industrial fabrics. And if it’s labeled mulesing free, you can be sure that all merino sheep have been treated with love and care.

THE DO’S AND DON’TS

One thing merino wool hates is indoor playtime because when subjected to a lot of friction, the fibres simply break. In other words, active crawling games are a no-no because they will quickly wear holes in knees, elbows and elsewhere. Fortunately, blouses and vests are not afraid of such activities and can be worn on a daily basis. So…the best way to take proper care of your merinos is to treat them with love and care.

As already mentioned before, merino wool doesn’t need constant washing because it has antibacterial “self-cleaning” properties. If you do wash your merinos, always use a wool washing, low spinning program and cool temperatures. Merino fibre is light and airy and high-spinning centrifuge “beats” it into a tough chunk of useless fabric that is beyond salvation. It’s also important to avoid fabric softeners and hanging to dry. Maintain the original size and shape of your product by stretching and forming wet merino clothes and drying them on a flat surface. For more information, see our care instructions, where you will find the latest maintenance instructions for each Breden product.

WHY IS MERINO WOOL MORE EXPENSIVE?

That is a totally valid question. Merino wool items indeed are significantly pricier than, let’s say cotton. Wool as a raw material has a higher price, because:

It grows very slowly
It can only be “harvested” during a limited period in a year
Its fibres are very fine, which means significantly more raw wool is needed to produce the same amount of fabric compared to ordinary wool or other materials.
It’s a high quality material that has to meet high standards in order to maintain its certificate.
Its specific properties make it a coveted material for the clothing industry.