Unravelling Your Questions: Merino Wool and Slow fashion

What is slow fashion for kids?

Slow fashion for kids is about thoughtful and sustainable choices in children's clothing. It follows the ethos of ‘ Buy less, Buy well’

Mindful of the planet, slow fashion considers the longevity, quality and manufacturing processes of the garment.

It combines classic versatile designs with high quality natural materials to create lasting clothes that can be worn again and again and passed down from child to child.

A simple lasting wardrobe is favoured over fast-changing trends and the practice of sharing clothes are encouraged to create a more value driven, sustainable and eco-friendly approach to children’s fashion

What is so special about Merino Wool? Why we love it for kids

Merino wool is highly sought after for its ability to provide warmth with next-to-skin softness. Filled with benefits to the wearer and gentle on the environment, Merino wool is Natural, Biodegradable and renewable.

We love merino wool for kids for its multi-tasking abilities. A helpful hand to parents, here are some of its benefits

• Adaptable: Merino wool can react to the body temperature. This active fiber can help your child stay warm in the cold and cool in the heat.
• Soft and Hypoallergenic: The fineness and crimp structure of merino wool makes it gentle on your child’s skin bringing comfort without irritations.
• Breathable: Known for its breathability, merino wool reduces clamminess by moving moisture away to evaporate into the air.
• Light, Flexible and Strong: Merino Wool will move with the body and have the durability to last longer, It is six times stronger than cotton
• Naturally Stain, Dust and Odor resistance: Perfect for the curious kid, merino’s natural protective coating will resist absorbing mess.
• Fire and UV resistant: Great for outdoor activities helping parents worry less when out and about.
• Lessen the load: Merino wool requires less washing. Its natural qualities means you can air out your garments and extend the days between washes. Helping you and the environment.

Is Merino wool a sustainable choice?

Merino wool is a highly favoured sustainable choice in fashion. Grown on Merino Sheep, It is a natural and renewable resource that is biodegradable.

A long lasting choice due to wool’s durability. It is the most passed on, reused and recycled textile which extends its usefulness and reduces its environmental impact.

Even when laundered, merino wool presents a more responsible choice. Being 100% natural, no micro plastics are released into the waterways and the ocean’s eco system.

Merino wool's biodegradable nature allows for a circular lifecycle, as it can release nutrients back into the soil when in the ground, nourishing the earth and providing for the sheep.

Why is Merino wool more expensive?

Merino wool is a natural and renewable material, but its supply is bound by various factors. Although renewable, the time required for sheep to replenish and regrow takes time and is limited by natural cycles of the sheeps growth and rest. Fluctuations in weather patterns, including extreme weather conditions can also affect the quality and quantity of wool produced annually. Together with the labour intensive nature of sheep farming and attention placed on animal welfare, all these factor contribute to the higher price of merino wool.

Despite the challenges of production, merino wool remains a popular choice for its natural softness and other benefits. While it may be more expensive than other materials, its durability and long-lasting properties provide greater value in the long run. By choosing merino wool, you can enjoy the comfort and quality of a sustainable material that is kind to the environment and good for your skin.

Can I machine wash Merino Wool?

Many merino wool garments, including jumpers for kids, can be machine washed on a wool cycle. This is convenient for busy families, but it's important to follow the care instructions on the garment's label. To preserve the shape and softness of the wool, turn the garment inside out, avoid overloading the machine, use a wool-specific detergent, and stay away from hot water, fabric softeners, and bleach.

After washing, reshape the garment and lay it flat to dry. 

Merino wool doesn't need to be washed after every wear unless it's heavily soiled. You can extend the time between washes by airing out your garment and giving it a steam to refreshen it. 

Remember, it is best to stay away from the tumble dryer. When under heat and friction, Wool fibres shrink and felt. Not a friend, tumble drying your wool will shrink your garments and lose its shape.

Instead, you can easily reshape your garment and lay it flat in a well ventilated area

How often do I need to wash Merino wool?

Helping you lessen the load, merino wool doesn’t require to be laundered after every wear unless heavily soiled.

Merino wool naturally resist stains, dust and odours helping it stay clean and fresh for longer.

You can easily extend time between washes to more than 7-10 wears by airing out garments and even giving it a quick steam to refresh it between washes.

Reducing the need to wash not only saves you time and effort but also preserves the quality of the garment and better for the environment.

How to remove stains on merino wool?

Stains happen, especially in kids. Some of the common stains on kids clothes include food, juice, mud and grass. To remove these type of stains from wool jumpers here are some simple tips you can use to tackle them.

• Act as quickly as you can. The waxy coating on the fibres can help resist the stain and prolong it from being set in.
• Remove excess residue. Blot with a clean dry cloth or paper towel to remove any excess moisture. For solid stains, scrap off any excess with a spoon
• Mix a solution of wool detergent with cold water. Apply the solution to the stain and gently blot with a clean cloth.
• You can also try a solution of vinegar and water.
• For tougher stains likes grass and pen stains: gently dab with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol
• Avoid rubbing or scrubbing. Such friction can cause pilling to the area.
• Dab the area from edge to centre to release the stain
• Launder as usual with a wool detergent

Do I need to use a wool detergent?

Using a wool wash detergent is important to maintain the longevity and softness of your wool garments. It is formulated to clean and preserve the natural ph of fibres in order to retain their quality. Wool wash detergents will have a neutral pH level, anything too alkaline can damage the fibres and cause them to become rough and lose their softness.

It's important to avoid washing wool with products that contain bleach or brightening agents, enzymes, and fabric softeners, as these can damage the fibers and affect the appearance and texture of the wool.

Bleach and enzymes can weaken wool fibers and cause them to become thin and form holes.

Fabric softeners should also be avoided when washing wool, as they can contribute to pilling by coating the fibers allowing loose fibres to more easily come to the surface.

It is best to use a wool-specific detergent . There are many affordable options at major supermarkets. It is an easy and effective way to keep your wool items clean and looking their best for longer.

How do I store wool garments to prevent moth damage?

It can be heartbreak when you discover your jumpers peppered with holes. Don't worry, there are some simple and practical ways to deter moths and silverfish from attacking your wool jumpers.

During the season, make sure to give your wool garments a good cleaning by either laundering, airing them out, or steaming them. This will allow the wool fibres to release any bacteria and odour before you store them back in your closet.

To keep pesky moths and silverfish away from your wool garments, consider using natural repellents like cedarwood, lavender sachets, dried rosemary, or eucalyptus leaves in sachets. Cedarwood is a popular choice as it contains natural oils that repel insects. Just remember to replace the repellents when their scent starts to fade.

When it's time to store your wool garments away for an extended period, it's crucial to launder them to remove any accumulated dirt and odour. Fold your knitted jumpers to help maintain their shape, and for extra protection, you can use vacuum-sealed bags or airtight containers to prevent moths and silverfish from finding your woollen knits.

How to mend small holes in your Merino Knit Jumpers?

If you've discovered a hole in your Merino jumper, don't despair - with some simple repairing, you can save your jumper and continue to enjoy its warmth and comfort.

One easy way to mend a small hole in a Merino jumper is to use a needle and some closely matched thread. First, turn the jumper inside out to access the hole. Then, secure the thread slightly below the hole and work horizontally across the gap, catching the exposed vertical loops and extending beyond the hole. Work back in the opposite direction, catching the next row of loops, and continue up the hole until the entire gap is closed. Be sure not to over-tighten the thread or pull too tightly.

Mending a hole in your Merino jumper is a great way to save money and reduce waste. It's also a satisfying way to extend the life of your favorite garment and continue to enjoy its warmth and comfort for years to come. So, don't give up on your Merino jumper just because of a small hole - with some simple repairing, you can revive and enjoy it again.

Why is my Merino Pilling?

Merino wool is known for its softness, warmth, and durability, but Merino wool garments can pill and this doesn’t take away from its quality. Pilling is a natural occurrence and it happens when loose fibers travel to the surface and form small balls or pills.

With more wear, pilling often appear in areas of high contact such as underarm, elbows or side body.

Although it can appear unsightly, pilling can be easily removed and does not effect the quality of merino. Over time with removing the pills you will notice that the rate of them appearing will slow down or not at all as all the loose fibres have made their way up to the surface.

So don’t let pilling stop you from choosing Merino.

How to remove pilling from my jumpers?

Pilling on your favourite jumpers can be a frustrating, but luckily there are simple ways to remove the unsightly pills and revive your jumpers back to as-new appearance again. Here are three simple and easy ways to tackle the fuzz.

• When just a handful of pills appear, you can simply pick them off the surface gently with your fingers, or carefully snip them with fine scissors.
• Pill combs are a compact tool which can be used to remove pills and fluff from the surface of your jumpers. Move the comb in one direction with light sweeping motion to catch the remove the pills.
• For larger areas, fabric shavers are an easy, efficient and affordable choice. Move gently in a circular motions over areas you wish to refresh and give back your jumpers its as-new appearance.