What is Merino Wool anyway?
We are supposed to be in Autumn yet its starting to look and feel quite wintry Since we like to look on the bright side of things, lets welcome the chance to enjoy the layering and accessorising that only cold weather can offer. So out come the lovely soft scarves and cowls.
As most of our winter warmers are made from 100% merino wool, we thought we might give you a few pointers on what it is, why it is so great and how to take care of your pieces.
Wool is considered to be textile fiber obtained from sheep. Other fibers like cashmere and mohair from goats, alpaca from the camel family, and angora from rabbits are also considered to be wool. Merino wool is the material from Merino sheep and these sheep are said to have some of the finest and softest wool of any sheep. Here are some of the reasons why we love merino wool so much:
- Merino wool is one of the softest types of wool available, so feels great against the skin.
- It has numerous fibers which trap small pockets of air and lock in body heat, keeping you warm without overheating so it acts as an excellent regulator for body temperature. This is why it is so cosy!
- Its fibers are hydrophilic meaning they absorb water yet they retain warmth even when wet.
- Merino wool has uniquely thin fibers and prevents bacteria from finding a surface to grow on, making it anti-microbial. Its is also hypoallergenic.
CARE OF WOOL:
- Clean using a mild detergent in lukewarm water. Never use hot water as this shrinks wool. Also do not wring the piece as this will distort its shape.
- To dry, lay the piece flat and reshape if necessary allowing it to dry away from direct sunlight and heat. Do not hang as wool can adsorb a lot of water this will cause the item to stretch from the weight of the water.
- Do not dry in a tumble dryer as the heat will cause the wool to shrink.
- Wool should be stored in an airtight environment which is cool and dry.
Love wool just as much as we do? Then check out the campaign for wool website.
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