Things to know about merino wool…

I grew up in the 50s when wool was hot, heavy, and itchy. I remember taking over my father’s Navy pea coat. It was so heavy and I tried to keep it away from my skin where it would it. Mohair became the craze in the early 60s and everyone wanted one. They shed and although softer than the earlier wool items I had tried, they still became itchy after wearing a bit. Fast forward to the late 80s when I was involved in community theater. I was in a play and the costumer had me put on a cashmere sweater. Oh my! I was shocked at how soft it was. Way out of my budget, it was soon forgotten.

In December of last year, I opted to try the wool& 100 Day Dress Challenge wearing a tunic made of merino. I had already purchased several used items from Poshmark and eBay and liked them so much, I was willing to up my spending budget for some higher quality items. After our two month vacation, during which I wore at least one (and usually more) item made of merino wool, I learned even more.

1. Watch the percentage of merino when buying. Some of the early items we purchased were listed at merino garments even though they only had a small percentage of wool in them.
2. If you can, find out the gsm. The lower the number, the thinner the item is. I have tops ranging from 150 gsm (summer tees) to 330 gsm (my cool weather leggings). 
3. 100% merino will eventually stretch a bit, washing tightens things up again. That is why you will often find a small amount of spandex and/or other synthetics to help retain the shape. They also increase the longevity of the items.
4. Layering is important if staying warm is your goal. I realize layering is always important in temperature control, but especially with merino.
5. Yes, you can get and wear merino underwear. I save the underpants for travel (hand wash and easily dry overnight) but I love my merino bra. I tend to sweat a lot and they NEVER get uncomfortable since they wick the sweat away. And they don’t hold the odors like my old bras. The only downside is the uni-boob look. But hey, at 76, if that’s what they’re looking at, more power to them. 
6. Even if the item says hand wash, you are generally okay doing a machine wash on gentle/hand wash cycle. I always wash inside out, with zippers closed. I use a product specially for washing wool and use a very small amount.
7. When hand washing, rolling in a towel and pressing hard (even walking on it for heavy items) will shorten drying time.
8. Wrinkles – they happen. Spritzing water and laying flat while smoothing the wrinkles will help. Most will disappear when wearing.
9. Hang or drape inside out overnight and you can wear the next day. It will pass the smell test. During our two months, I had one item that got smelly. That was due to multiple days of wear in stressful situations and my forgetting to apply deodorant every day. Oops!
10. Got a little smell? Get a small spray bottle, fill it with vodka, and spritz away. It’s an old theater trick used in the costume department. And it works!
11. Got a stain? New, wipe carefully to remove as much as possible. Still there, rinse with water, blot and let dry. Still there? Use original Dawn dish detergent – just a dab, slightly rub, rinse completely, blot and let dry. Greasy or oily stains should be treated with Dawn immediately. If you can only find the newer, concentrated Dawn, dilute 50-50 with water. I carry a small bottle with me and have another in our bathroom for quick stain treatment.
12. Originally I used Woolite for washing because I had it on hand. My current favorites are Soak Unscented and Outback Gold. If things feel a bit stiff or scratchy, that’s when I use the Outback Gold. It adds lanolin back to the clothes. Also, if things are getting too stiff, you are probably using too much detergent (especially in a HE machine).