HOW TO CARE FOR AND WASH MERINO WOOL CLOTHES?

“Merino keeps warm in cold winter weather and regulates body temperature in warm summer breezes.”

What is merino wool?

Merino wool is wool derived from merino sheep, whose fibers are much thinner and softer than those found in ordinary wool. Due to this, merino wool does not itch and is pleasantly soft for the delicate skin of the baby. Thanks to its softness, merino is also great for newborns. 100% merino wool is a particularly good material for children's clothing because it is highly breathable, keeps warm even when wet and transfers moisture (e.g. sweat) away from the skin, keeping your child comfortable and dry all year round. Merino keeps warm in cold winter weather and regulates body temperature in warm summer breezes. As a sustainable natural fiber, merino wool is also an ecological choice, which at the end of its service life will lie down without burdening nature.

1) Ventilation

Merino wool is an antibacterial and self-cleaning material, so it is often enough to clean and freshen the garment by simply airing it. Merino wool is fresher in several ways:

1. Ventilate clothing regularly, preferably in the fresh open air in cold or cool weather.
2. Turn the garment inside out to expose the sweaty spots to air.
3. Leave to ventilate overnight.
4. Ventilation in frost kills bacteria from clothing.
5. In warm weather, you can also put the garment in the freezer, but remember to seal the garment in a waterproof bag and keep the bag in the freezer for at least 2 days.

2) Steaming with an iron

A merino wool garment can also be freshened by steaming if the ventilation does not seem to be enough. Moisture activates the self-cleaning properties of wool and restores the shape of clothing. A less effective, but faster way to activate these features is to put the garment briefly in a damp bath after showering.

For steaming merino wool, you can use the usual steam function of the iron. Here are quick instructions for steaming:

1. Turn the garment inside out.
2. Keep the iron far enough away from the knit by approx. 20 cm or you can also protect the garment with gauze when steaming every part.
3. Shape when moist.
4. After steaming, let the garment dry horizontally.

3) Stain removal from merino wool

It is good to remove stains individually, without washing the entire garment each time. As a stain remover, you can use, for example, bile soap. Liquid bile soap It is also a convenient tool for removing stains from wool.

The easiest way to remove stains from merino wool clothing:

1. Remove excess dirt from the surface of the garment, for example, by scraping with a comb.
2. Just wet the spot of the stain from the garment with lukewarm water.
3. Apply a little bile soap to the stain and rub gently so that the soap foams a little
4. Give it a moment to make a difference.
5. Rinse off the soap with lukewarm water.
6. If necessary, repeat the treatment, letting the soap act a little longer - max 30 minutes.
7. Squeeze the water out of the garment gently and without wringing.
8. Form while moist and allow to dry horizontally.

4) Hand wash

Merino wool repels dirt, so it does not need to be washed in the machine. The best ways to clean merino wool are airing and removing individual stains. This way the garment will remain in good use for a long time.

If there is more dirt, if necessary, you can wash the entire garment by hand. Some woolen garments, such as Voks merino garments, can also be machine washed. Always check the washing instructions of the garment before washing.

Instructions for hand washing merino wool:

1. First, treat the stains, as in section 3 stain remover (also rinse).
2. Fill a clean container, such as a bucket, with 30-degree water and add a little wool detergent.
3. Turn the garment inside out and immerse in water.
4. Press the garment into the water and squeeze gently - no rubbing or wringing.
5. Do not leave to get dirty.
6. Squeeze the water out of the garment gently, still without wringing.
7. Pour out the water, rinse the container and lower into it clean water of the same temperature as the previous water - the fluctuation in water temperature is bad for wool.
8. Rinse the garment several times until the water remains clear.
9. Squeeze dry again and place to dry horizontally on a clean towel.
10. If the garment is really wet, dry it by briefly rolling the garment inside the towel.
11. Form while moist and allow to dry horizontally.

See the YouTube video here for an example of roll drying.

5) Machine washCan merino wool be washed in the washing machine? The short answer is that it can. However, merino wool clothing is always better to ventilate or hand wash than machine wash. Simply airing is often enough to freshen the merino, so the wool garment will last longer in use while saving energy and nature. Wax merino wool clothes can be washed in the machine if necessary, making everyday life easier for families with children. When washing woolen clothes, always check the instructions on the washcloth just in case.

Machine wash instructions for Voksi merino wool garments:

1. Turn the clothes inside out and put in a laundry bag.
2. Wash with wool washing program, 40 degrees - Washing in too hot and hard spin damages wool fibers and shrinks clothes, but washing too cold is also bad for wool.
3. Use wool detergent, without fabric softener. Instead of fabric softener, you can use laundry vinegar, which destroys bacteria naturally. Do not chlorine bleach wool.
4. Do not put woolen clothes in the dryer.
5. Roll the garment briefly inside the towel if it is too wet. Allow to dry on a flat surface and place a dry towel underneath to absorb moisture. Make sure that no water drips from the garment onto the parquet or delicate floor surfaces.

The best way to store merino wool clothes

Woolen clothes are worth scything on the shelves. Wool should not be stored or dried on hangers so that the garment does not stretch when hanging.

Merino wool is a natural material that pests like moths like moths. You can put pieces of cedar wood in the cupboard, the smell of which keeps beetles away, for example. Merino wool clothing is good to store for longer periods of time in the closet in a clothing bag to prevent bugs from getting to them.

After diligent use, lint always forms on woolen clothing, which is easily removed with a woolen comb. With regular removal of lint, its formation decreases as the woolen garment ages, as most of the small loose fibres have already been removed.

How do you know if merino wool is of good quality?

The quality of merino wool can be judged by the certificates found on the product. Voksin with high quality merino wool children's clothes have RWS approval and are manufactured according to the Oeko-Tex 100 standard, so you can be sure that they are durable, responsible and safe.

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What does the RWS standard mean?

RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) is a global sustainability standard that monitors the well-being of sheep, workers, and nature on sheep farms. RWS monitors animal welfare, working conditions on farms, and the protection of biodiversity in farm operations.

The standard is overseen by a non-profit entity called the Textile Exchange, which aims to promote the responsible use of natural materials in the textile industry. The community also monitors the flow of RWS-certified materials through the production process. Responsible Wool Standard guarantees that wool production takes place in a responsible and controlled manner.

Wool clothes from Voks are RWS approved, so you can be sure that the production conditions for the wool used in them are responsible. Browse Voks's wool clothing range here.

You can find more information about the RWS standard here.

What is the Öko-Tex 100 standard?

Öko-Tex is an international textile testing and certification system used to ensure the safety of chemicals used in clothing. The Oeko-Tex 100 standard guarantees that there are no pesticide, heavy metal or formaldehyde residues in the garment.

Voks merino wool clothing is Oeko-Tex 100 certified, so you can be sure of the safety of the clothes for your child's sensitive skin.

See more about the Öko-Tex 100 standard here.

We offer children's merino wool clothing From the range of Lastentarvike You'll find Voks soft 100% merino wool baby clothes that keep your baby comfortable all year round. Honeycomb knitwear from Vox has a highly elastic knit that helps create the perfect fit. From double Double Knit knitwear you get the perfect children's merino wool layer to keep warm in winter frosts. Lovely broken tones are repeated in the clothes, so you can easily combine them. We offer Voks soft wool overalls, warm sweaters and trousers, as well as slippers, beanies, collars and mittens.

See also Lodger merino wool cute baby first pads and bow slippers, as well as beanies.

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