How to Wash Your Merino Wool Layers

If you know anything about me, you know I love merino wool. Merino wool is my absolute favorite material for base layers during every season, because it helps regulate temperature and keeps me and my kids dry regardless of the weather. This material is moisture wicking, layers well with other clothing, is odor resistant, and provides UPF protection. As with all wool, Merino is pretty particular about how it likes to be cleaned. Washing, drying, and storing your pieces correctly will help them last for years. Here are my best tips on how to wash merino wool.

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Can you wash merino wool?

Yes! You can wash merino wool. There are multiple methods you can use to wash your merino wool layers that will prevent your pieces from losing their shape, pilling, or shrinking in size. A little extra care put into the process will make sure your base layers last season after season, or kid after kid.

Does Merino Wool Shrink?

In short, yes. Wool fibers can shrink if they are washed in too hot of water or dried at a hot temperature. So I recommend washing all of your wool in cool water, and letting them air dry. Following the washing instructions on your merino wool clothing to make sure they stay in their best condition.

What Detergent Should You Use to Wash Merino Wool?

Normal detergents are too rough on wool and can warp the fibers of your garment. Using a detergent specifically intended for wool will make sure the fibers don’t get bleached or damaged. My favorite wool wash is the Nikwax Wool Wash. Do not use fabric softeners or bleach. Another good detergent option is Woolite.

How To Wash Your Merino Wool

We have a lot of merino wool clothing in our house and I definitely don’t have time to hand wash it all. So here are the instructions I follow to wash my merino wool in the washing machine.

Washing Instructions

1. Check the label of your wool clothing item to see if it has any specific washing instructions and make sure to follow those.
2. Don’t wash your merino wool with your regular clothing. I usually wait until I have multiple wool pieces that need to be washed to do a load.
3. Use cool or warm water.
4. Pour in your wool detergent.
5. Wash on a gentle cycle.
6. Hang them to dry. A lot of merino wool clothing can be dried on a low setting in your dryer, but I don’t mind hang drying and find that it helps my pieces last longer and I don’t have to worry about accidentally shrinking them if I dry them too hot. There is no stiffness from hang drying.

Some washers now have a “Wool” setting that washes gently enough for your merino wool gear. If you do this, make sure you remove the pieces immediately and lay them flat or hang them to dry. Sitting in a bunch for too long will make them lose their shape.

Long Term Storage

Day to day I just have mine and my kids’ merino wool clothes folded in our drawers. But if you are putting it away for months at a time, there are a few ways to keep your wool in tip top condition while it’s not in use.

You want to avoid storing your wool garments and accessories in ways that will misshape or damage them. For this reason, it’s best to fold your merino wool rather than hang it on a hanger, so the shoulders and necklines don’t get stretched out.

When storing for a longer time, avoid plastic containers, because they can encourage yellowing and trap unwanted moisture. Mold and bugs love that environment, but your wool will not. Canvas and cotton bags are your best option for storing your wool, because they protect your garments while still allowing them to breathe.

My Favorite Merino Wool Brands

My kids have worn merino wool base layers for most of our outdoor hikes, regardless of the season. One of my favorite kid merino wool brands is Iksplor. My toddlers wear either the Adventure Onesie or the 2 Piece set. I also love their beanie and wool socks. (My discount code is HaileyOutside).

For me, I have many different merino wool pieces I love from many different brands. Here are some of my favorites:

Kari Traa Rose Base Layer: Kari Traa is a women owned company that only makes clothes for women. I have a few of their pieces and love them all. I love their merino wool base layers and the Rose half-zip has been my go to for years (I’ve had my top for about 6 years and it’s still in perfect condition). Pair it with the matching high-waisted bottoms and it’s the perfect set for skiing for hiking!

Kari Traa Silja Base Layer: This is another of my Kari Traa base layers I wear all the time. It’s also what I wore throughout my whole pregnancy. I bought this top with the matching high-waisted bottoms in a size up when I was pregnant and it fit me until the day I gave birth. I still wear it now even though it’s a little big so I just tuck the top into the bottoms.

Iksplor Merino Wool Nursing Shirt: I have two of these long sleeve shirts and I love them. I wear them hiking and camping. They run big so I would recognize sizing down. I am typically a size small, and I was able to wear the size small up into my third trimester without it feeling tight. The xs fits me much better. (My discount code is HaileyOutside).

Iksplor Kids Layers: I love the Iksplor merino wool layers. They have 2 piece sets for both babies and older kids. I love their Adventure Onesie because it’s a little thicker and warmer. They also make great accessories like beanies, neck gaiters, and socks. (My discount code is haileyoutside)

Smartwool Socks: I have worn Smartwool socks for years. There are a lot of different heights and thicknesses, but I prefer the hike light crew length for my hikes. If you want something a little thicker, I would try the Smartwool Full Cushion Hiking sock.

Darn Tough Socks: Darn Tough socks are another amazing wool sock you can’t go wrong with. They have an amazing warranty where if you wear a hole in your socks, you can send them in for repair or they will send you a credit to purchase a new pair.

Merino wool is a staple in my closet and a must have on my outdoor adventures with my littles, and by taking the extra care with them I’ve kept my wool layers looking basically new for years now, and they’ve still got a lot of life left. These types of pieces are definitely an investment, so I want to make sure it pays off for a long time.

If you thought this post on how to wash merino wool was helpful, check out these post:

• Winter Hiking Clothes for Women | What to Wear Winter Hiking
• How I Dress My Toddler For a Freezing Winter Hike
• How I Dress My Toddler For a Mild Winter Hike