Does Merino Wool Shrink When Washed?

If you've ever wondered, "Does merino wool shrink when washed?", you've come to the right place. While merino wool might be easy to wash, it can shrink when you launder it incorrectly.

In this article, we’ll discuss why merino wool shrinks during washing and how you can avoid this.

What Causes Merino Wool To Shrink?

Merino wool might be a durable, quality material, but it can shrink for different reasons. These reasons include;

Heat

Merino wool is susceptible to high temperatures, like hot water. Soaking the material in hot water can cause it to contract and shrink when it dries.

Vigorous Scrubbing

Regardless of how stained your wool is, scrubbing it vigorously will only squeeze the fibers and cause the wool to shrink.

Motion

Putting merino wool in your washing machine is a quick way to clean it. However, constant spinning can make the scales on the wool fibers rub together, lock and eventually shrink.

How To Wash Merino Wool To Prevent Shrinkage?

You can easily stop your merino wool from shrinking with the proper techniques. We've put together a guide you can follow;

Preparing the Wool For Washing

Before you start washing the wool, check the garment tags. This will tell you the best washing methods and recommended water temperature. You should also watch out for labels that say "do not wash" or "dry clean only." These items require professional cleaning to prevent shrinking.

You should also sort your merino wool by color and fabric type. This involves turning the garment inside out first to protect the outer surface from wear. The next step is to separate the light-colored items from the dark-colored items. You also need to sort the merino wool by fabric weight. This means the heavier merino wool pieces should be washed apart from lighter ones.

Washing Techniques for Merino Wool

You need lots of care and attention to wash merino wool correctly especially if you're trying to wash merino wool socks. This way you can preserve its quality and prevent shrinking.

You can choose to hand wash or machine wash your wool socks or clothing using either of these steps;

For hand washing:

Fill your sink or wash bath with cool or lukewarm water.

Add a small amount of wool-recommended detergent.

Dip the garment and squeeze gently to let the water soak through.

Let the item soak for at least 30 minutes.

Rinse the wool in clean, cool water until all the soap is off.

Press out the excess water without twisting or wringing.

Roll the garment in a clean towel to remove the residue water.

Place the wool piece flat to air dry away from the sun or direct heat.

For machine washing:

Turn the item inside out to protect the outer surface.

Put the items in a mesh laundry bag to reduce friction.

Select the woolens or delicate cycle on your machine.

Use cold water to prevent shrinkage.

Set it to a low spin speed to stop the fibers from stretching.

Add a small amount of enzyme-free wool detergent to the wash.

Don’t use fabric softeners, as they can coat and damage wool fibers.

Remove the item from the machine once the cycle ends to prevent shrinking.

Reshape the wet garment gently before drying to keep its form.

Drying and Storing Merino Wool

Proper drying and storage is a guaranteed way to maintain your merino wool quality. Here are some steps you can follow;

Lay the item flat to dry using a drying rack or clean towel. This will maintain the wool’s natural shape.

Roll it into a towel. Lightly press out the excess water to reduce the drying time.

Avoid hanging to ensure the fabric doesn’t stretch and lose its shape.

Keep the item away from heat. This includes exposure to direct sunlight or radiators.

Air-dry the garment indoors in a well-ventilated room.

Reshape the garment while damp by smoothing out wrinkles.

Allow the wool to dry thoroughly before storing.

To complete the washing process, you need to store the wool properly. Here are some tips to help you do that;

Cool and dry storage: Place the merino wool item in a cool, dry spot. This ensures it is not damaged by heat.

Use cotton bags: You should store the wool in a zippered cotton garment bag. This maintains its quality for longer periods.

Don’t use plastic: Avoid storing your merino wool in plastic bags or containers. These can trap moisture and cause yellowing.

Can Shrunk Merino Wool Be Restored?

You can unshrink your merino wool by soaking the garment or socks in lukewarm water and adding hair conditioner or baby shampoo for 15 to 30 minutes. After that, gently squeeze out the excess water. Next, lay the garment on a towel and carefully stretch it in all directions. This will bring it back to its original shape and size.

Finally, wash the sweater in cold water to remove the hair conditioner or baby shampoo. Lastly, leave the wool in a cool room to dry.

Tips for Maintaining Merino Wool's Shape

Keeping your merino wool in the best shape and quality is easy. These are some tips you can use to maintain it;

Fold, Don't Hang

You should always fold your merino wool clothings rather than hanging them. This stops the fibers from stretching, especially for heavier items like sweaters.

Use Only Wool-Specific Detergent

Not all detergent types are suitable for washing merino wool. Use only products designed for delicate fabrics to retain your wool's quality. Avoid fabric softeners, which can coat wool fibers and affect their breathability.

Don't Tumble Dry

Tumble drying your merino wool exposes it to high heat and constant tumbling, which can cause shrinking and ruin the wool's shape.

Conclusion

If you've made it this far, you've learnt why your merino wool could shrink. You also know how to wash it and the various techniques to preserve the wool's shape.

You should also wash your socks daily or after being worn only once to preserve their quality. To get premium merino wool socks, you can get them at our online store.

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