Johnstons of Elgin Merino camel, grey and white check scarf detail

Caring for Merino Wool

We have worked with soft, natural and biodegradable Merino Wool fibres for many years and, going forward, intend only to source Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certified wool for the yarn we make. We are gentle with our Merino Wool, from raw fibre to finished product, to help retain its softness and enhance its lifespan.

However, how you treat Merino Wool once it reaches your wardrobe will also impact its longevity. So how should you care for knitted and woven Merino Wool Products? And how often should Merino Wool be laundered?

Knitted Merino Woven Merino

CARING FOR KNITTED MERINO

We recommend you care for your Merino Wool purchase in the following ways:

1. Handwash the item at 40° with a mild detergent.
2. After washing, rinse in lukewarm water.
3. Do not wring or rub your Merino Wool garment.
4. Gently reshape your product while it’s still wet.
5. Allow your Merino Wool clothing or accessory to dry flat on a towel.

HANDWASH
Merino Wool’s inherent anti-bacterial properties mean it will require less frequent laundering than synthetic fibres. After 2-3 wears, gently handwash Merino Wool garments at 40° to freshen them up. Avoid warmer water temperatures that might damage the wool fibres. Use a gentle laundry detergent without fabric softener, as the latter might also harm the fibres. After washing, rinse using lukewarm water.

DO NOT WRING OR RUB
Handle your Merino Wool clothing with care, as lifting or wringing while wet can cause the garment to become misshapen. Instead, you can gently press a freshly washed jumper or hat between two clean, dry towels to remove any excess moisture. Spot stains should be dabbed rather than rubbed to avoid marking or pilling the wool.

RESHAPE
While your Merino Wool garment is still wet, you can gently reshape it. Place the item on a clean, dry towel and gently smooth it into shape.

DRY FLAT
Allow your Merino Wool clothing to dry naturally away from direct heat, such as radiators or sunlight, and do not tumble dry. Once dry, you can press your garment lightly with a cool iron.

CARING FOR WOVEN MERINO WOOL

To help you to enjoy your woven Merino Wool pieces for longer, we suggest the following methods of care:

1. Dry clean woven Merino Wool products for the best results.
2. Shake and hang scarves, stoles and throws to remove dust particles.
3. Gently spot clean any marks or stains.
4. Air dry laundered items to maintain their shape.
5. Avoid wearing sharp jewellery next to lightweight Merino Wool pieces.

DRY CLEAN
The inherent anti-bacterial properties of Merino Wool fibres mean they only require occasional cleaning. We recommend professionally dry-cleaning Merino Wool scarves, stoles and throws to help maintain their colour, shape and size.

SHAKE & HANG
To remove dust particles, you can shake Merino Wool clothing and accessories. This will also fluff the fibres a little to refresh their shape. You can also hang your product somewhere airy to lift dust particles and freshen your garment.

SPOT CLEAN
Minor marks and stains can often be removed by dabbing gently with a moist cloth. Use cold water to avoid expanding the fibres, as they might shrink as they cool down.

Use a light spritz of cold water to dampen the marked area, and if the stain is oily, dab gently with a small amount of gentle detergent. Spot test more vibrantly coloured Merino Wool pieces in an inconspicuous area before tackling a more significant stain. Use a slightly damp white cloth to spot test, and if any of the colour transfers to the cloth, please have the item professionally dry cleaned.

Fizzy water can effectively remove minor, fresh stains, as the air bubbles can trap and lift dirt particles. Afterwards, hang the item up to dry.

AIR DRY
Air dry woven Merino Wool items, either outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, depending on weather conditions. If an item becomes very damp, dry it flat to avoid loss of shape. Never tumble dry Merino Wool pieces.

AVOID SHARP JEWELLERY
Some of our lightweight scarves and stoles are very delicate. Avoid wearing jewellery with sharp edges next to these pieces to prevent pulling or ripping the fabric.

Johnstons of Elgin Roving machine with merino fibres
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