Washing and caring for merino wool correctly: Your guide to long-lasting functional clothing | Sport Conrad Blog | Advices, Guides, News and Outdoor Equipment

Merino wool is a true natural talent: breathable, temperature-regulating, odor-neutral, and incredibly comfortable to wear. Proper care is essential to ensure that your merino clothing lasts a long time, whether you’re on tour, playing sports, or just going about your everyday life. We’ll show you how you can easily do this yourself at home.

WHY DOES MERINO WOOL REQUIRE SPECIAL CARE?

Merino wool is a natural fiber and significantly more delicate than synthetic fibers or cotton. It is self-cleaning to a certain extent, and odors can be removed simply by airing it out. However, merino clothing does need to be washed from time to time to preserve its special properties.

Woman sitting by the window wearing merino wool ski underwear — Merino wool is comfortable to wear and actually quite easy to care for if you know how to wash it properly. Photo: Sport Conrad

WASHING MERINO WOOL – THE MOST IMPORTANT TIPS

Follow the care label: Always check the label first, as it contains the manufacturer’s specific washing recommendations.
Select the wool cycle: Always use the wool or delicate cycle on your washing machine.
Low temperature: 30°C is perfectly adequate.
Gentle detergent: Use a special wool detergent or a mild detergent for delicates, preferably without enzymes or bleach.
Do not use fabric softener: This can destroy the fine structure of the wool fibers.
Separate delicates: Wash merino wool separately or with similar materials to avoid friction.

DRYING MERINO WOOL

Do not tumble dry: heat and friction can damage the fibers.
Dry flat: lay garments flat on a towel to preserve their shape.
Avoid direct sunlight: UV rays can weaken the fibers.

Woman in merino wool underwear on a terrace in winter — What is important when caring for merino wool? Air it regularly and wash it on a gentle cycle without fabric softener. Photo: Sport Conrad

For in between: caring for merino wool & keeping it fresh

Air instead of wash: it is often sufficient to hang merino clothing in the fresh air after wearing it.
Store gently: Store in a dry place, preferably protected from moths with lavender sachets or cedar wood.
Avoid creasing: Merino wool is naturally crease-resistant—it stays wrinkle-free best when stored flat.

Advantages of proper care for merino wool

proper care	Your benefits
Gentle washing	Longer life for your clothes
No fabric softener	Preserves the natural properties of the fibers
Dry flat	Retains shape and comfort
Air regularly	Fewer washes, more environmentally friendly

Woman wearing merino wool underwear — High-quality merino underwear can be a long-lasting and reliable companion—provided it is cared for properly, of course. Photo: Sport Conrad

FAQ MERINO CARE

Merino wool smells after washing. What now?

Although merino wool inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria, in some cases a slight odor may develop after intensive use. This is more likely to occur with blended fibers containing polyester. If normal washing in the washing machine no longer helps, you can combat the odors with vinegar. Soak the affected textiles in water and a little household vinegar before washing.

Removing pilling

Over time, small knots, also known as pilling, can form on the surface of textiles made from natural fibers. These do not impair the function of the fabric. There are two ways to remove these unsightly bobbles:#

Wash the affected merino garment together with a sturdier fabric such as denim. But make sure the colors are similar!
Shave off the bobbles with a wool comb or wool shaver.

Removing stains

For stubborn stains, Ortovox recommends treating merino textiles with gall soap and a sponge before washing. Simply apply gall soap to a kitchen sponge, rub it into the stain, leave it to work for 20 minutes, and then wash with other merino textiles.

As a home remedy, you can also use household vinegar diluted with water in a ratio of 1:3. Treat the stain with this mixture, leave it to work for a short time, and then put the item in the wash.

Proper storage

To ensure that your merino wool textiles have a long life, it is important to protect them from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. Always hang your merino textiles up to air after use and do not leave them in your backpack or bag. To prevent moth infestation, you can place lavender sachets and cedar wood in your wardrobe.

CONCLUSION: WITH PROPER CARE, MERINO WOOL STAYS LIKE NEW

Merino wool is easy to care for if you follow a few basic rules. Less is often more—air instead of wash, clean gently instead of rough handling. This will not only keep your merino clothing soft and comfortable, but also ensure that it will reliably accompany you on your outdoor adventures for a long time to come.

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