If you haven’t owned a piece of wool clothing before, you may only know what you’ve heard from other people. The problem is, not all information about modern-day wool garments is entirely accurate.
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Technology has come a long way, which means we’ve been able to do many magical things with natural fibres that you may not have thought possible. For example, we now have specially designed knitting machines at our disposal that we can use to weave different natural fibres together, such as merino possum and silk thread.
Below, we’ll take a look at some of the most common wool myths and get to the truth. You can then buy your first wool garment with complete confidence.
Myth: You Must Handwash All Merino Wool Garments
Due to the busy, fast-paced lifestyles we lead, many of us love the convenience of putting our clothing in a washing machine and letting it do all the hard work. A common myth is that all merino wool garments are handwash only, which may put you off purchasing what appears to be a high-maintenance garment.
While it’s true that some garments are handwash only, not all are. There is a broad range of gorgeous merino knitwear that you can easily wash in your machine on a gentle cycle using a mild detergent.
Merino wool also has natural odour-resistant properties, which means you can often wear your garments a number of times before they require washing.
Alernatively if you enjoy the convenience of dry cleaning, merino wool is dry clean-friendly. Refer to your garment’s care tag for more information.
Myth: Merino Wool is Itchy to Wear
There is truth in the statement that wool is itchy, but merino wool isn’t! A typical human hair is up to 181 microns, while the finest merino is often around 19 microns. As a result, you can wear it as an underlayer, a top layer, or a middle layer without feeling itchy, scratchy, or uncomfortable.
Fine merino is so soft and gentle on the skin through its natural properties and advanced knitting processes that it’s even suitable for underwear. Those with sensitive skin and allergies may experience comfort and relief by purchasing merino wool undergarments.
Myth: Merino Wool is Too Hot to Wear
You often hear people saying they’re going to wrap up in their winter woollies once the mercury plummets. Wool is, of course, an ideal winter garment, but merino wool is suitable for year-round wear.
Thanks to its natural breathability and temperature regulating properties, merino wool can keep you warm in winter and cool on those beautiful summer evenings. You may also benefit from its moisture-absorbing properties since merino wool can absorb up to 35 percent of its own weight.
Myth: Possum Merino Wool Garments Are Expensive
One of the greatest misconceptions is that possum merino garments are expensive. At face value, a possum merino sweater is going to cost more than the average polyester sweater, but that’s without factoring in cost per wear.
When you compare the number of times you can wear a high-quality possum merino garment to its price tag, it’s one of the most cost-effective clothing options available.
Then, once it reaches the end of its usable life, you will find that it is biodegradable, and will break down into the environment within months. In contrast, a polyester sweater can take 20-200 years.
Myth: Merino Wool Stretches and Creases
Most materials have at least some stretch, and merino wool is no exception. However, unlike some clothing fabrics that can quickly become permanently misshapen, merino wool is unique. Merino will return to its natural shape even when stretched by up to 30 percent. Merino and possum merino wool have some stretch with wear, but will return to their original shape once washed.
Possum merino is also non-crease, which means even after putting them in a backpack while traveling, they won’t be noticeably wrinkly when you put them on. For those who don’t like to iron, merino wool can be the perfect garment material.
Merino & Possum Merino Wool Have Much to Offer
Whether you’re looking for casual wear, warm garments for work or play, or even accessories like scarves and beanies, you will likely find that merino and possum merino wool tick all the boxes for practicality, comfort, and style. And now that we’ve debunked some of the most common myths, you can now purchase brand new high-quality merino garments with complete confidence.
Does merino wool stretch and crease easily?
Merino wool has some stretch with wear but will return to its original shape once washed, and it is non-crease, making it perfect for those who don’t like to iron.
Can all merino wool garments be washed in a washing machine?
Not all merino wool garments can be washed in a washing machine, but there is a broad range of gorgeous merino knitwear that you can easily wash in your machine on a gentle cycle using a mild detergent.