How to Care for Merino Wool

Merino wool is renowned for its softness, resilience, and natural breathability. Its fibres are finer and softer than standard wool, making it gentle against the skin and comfortable for all-day wear. Premium wool fabric has natural temperature-regulating properties, ensuring warmth during cooler months and breathability when the temperature rises. Investing in merino wool clothing is not just about adding a piece of luxury to your wardrobe; it's about making a sustainable choice that offers unparalleled comfort, durability, and style.

At Cable Melbourne, we offer a curated collection of merino wool clothing from merino cardigans, wool jumpers and merino tops crafted from the finest Merino wool. Merino garments provide ease of dressing and can form the basis of a versatile capsule wardrobe.

This guide is designed to provide you with all the knowledge and tips you need to preserve the beauty and integrity of your merino wool pieces and enjoy them for years to come.

Shop our range of Australian Woolmark Certified Pure New Merino Wool.

General Care for Merino Wool

Caring for your wool garments is key to ensuring they last season after season. Here are Cable's top tips for how to care for your Merino wool garments.

Irrespective of the method of cleaning, it is highly recommended that the sweater is laundered inside-out. This will protect the sweater’s outer surface, and help to maintain its as-new look for longer.

Always wash in cold water (hand wash preferred or machine wash on a hand wash, gentle cycle).
Use an approved wool detergent. Look for detergents which are approved by The Woolmark Company. When using powdered detergents, make sure they are dissolved before adding to the wash.
Do not soak.
Leave to dry by laying the garment flat in a cool place (not direct heat or sunlight). Hanging the garment may cause stretching and distortion.

Read the care label on your knitwear to determine the process of washing.

How to Wash Merino Wool Clothes

Merino wool is highly prized for its softness, breathability, and ability to regulate body temperature. However, its delicate fibres require special care to maintain their texture and properties.

How to Hand Wash Merino Wool

Fill a basin with cold water and add an approved wool detergent. Submerge your merino wool garment in the prepared water and wash quickly for a few minutes. Do not soak the garment.
Carefully rinse the garment under cold, running water. Gently squeeze the garment to remove as much water as possible. Do not twist or wring out the wool.
Wrap the garment in a clean, dry towel to press out any remaining water. Reshape the garment to its original form, then lay flat on a new, dry towel to dry in a cool place away from direct heat or sunlight.

How to Machine Wash Merino Wool

Merino wool garments can only be washed in a machine if you have a wool/hand wash setting and cold-water setting washing machine. This safeguards the fabric's integrity and longevity.

Turn your garment inside out and place it in the washing machine. Select the wool/hand wash cycle on your washing machine to ensure a gentle wash. Use cold water and detergent specifically approved for wool.
Once the wash cycle is complete, gently pull the garment back into its original shape. Lay it flat on a towel in a cool place away from direct heat or sunlight. Avoid hanging your merino wool garment, as the weight of the water could stretch the fabric out of shape.
Using a dryer for merino wool garments is generally not recommended due to the delicate nature of the fibres, which can easily shrink, felt, or become damaged under high heat and tumbling action. Merino wool garments should be air-dried flat on a towel to maintain their shape and integrity.

How to Dry Merino Wool

Drying merino wool clothing requires pulling the garment back to shape before laying it flat to dry. We recommend laying it on a new towel to let it dry in a cool place. Do not dry in direct heat or sunlight.

How to Iron Merino Wool

Always start by checking the care label on your Merino wool garment for information on how to properly iron the fabric without causing damage.

Adjust your iron to the wool setting or a medium temperature. This ensures the iron is hot enough to remove wrinkles without scorching the fabric.
Lay the garment flat on the ironing board and gently reshape it by hand to its original form. Lightly spray the garment with water before you begin ironing. Alternatively, you can use the steam function on your iron to apply steam directly to the garment. Do not use ironing aids such as starch, softeners or conditioners.
After ironing, lay the garment flat on a surface and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Once cool, fold the garment carefully and store it properly.

How to Steam Merino Wool

Steaming is an excellent method for removing wrinkles and refreshing merino wool garments without subjecting them to the harshness of ironing. Here’s how to properly steam your merino wool items:

Prepare your steamer. Place your merino wool garment on a hanger. Ensure it's properly hung to allow easy access to all areas you intend to steam.
Before steaming the entire garment, test the steamer on a small, inconspicuous area. Hold the steamer a short distance from the fabric – about an inch or two – and slowly move it across the garment. Be careful not to let the steamer touch the fabric directly, as the heat could damage the delicate merino wool.
After steaming, you may gently reshape the garment by hand if needed.

How to Remove Stains

When treating stains on your merino wool pieces, acting promptly can help remove them without any lasting damage to your garment. When treating stains, it is important to ensure they are fully removed before ironing. The heat from ironing can make a stain permanent.

Before applying any substance to the main stain, choose an inconspicuous area on the garment to test.
Dab a solvent-based stain remover onto the stain. Use a small amount initially, adding more if needed. Start from the outside of the stain and gently work your way inwards to prevent the stain from expanding.
Rinse the area thoroughly with cold water. Following the rinsing, hand wash the garment according to the washing instructions provided. After washing, dry the garment as per the care label.

Alcoholic Drinks
Dab gently with an absorbent, lint free cloth to remove as much excess liquid as possible. Sponge the area sparingly with a mixture of warm water and surgical spirit or rubbing alcohol in equal parts.

Blood
Remove excess blood immediately with a damp sponge, then gently dab the area using undiluted white vinegar followed by cold water.

Butter / Grease / Sauces
If a greasy mark forms, firstly scrape the surface of the stain with a spoon or knife to remove any excess oil. Then soak a lint free cloth in proprietary grease remover or white spirit and gently dab the area.

Chocolate / Coffee / Tea
Dab gently around the edge of the stain with a cloth soaked in white spirit.

Fruit / Fruit Juice / Red Wine
Immediately dab the stain with a mixture of surgical spirit or rubbing alcohol and water (3:1 ratio).

How to Store Merino Wool Knitwear

Merino wool requires careful handling to maintain its quality and shape over time. To ensure your garments stay in pristine condition, follow these simple steps for storing them, especially as you pack them away for the summer season.

Always fold your Merino wool knitwear instead of hanging them. Hanging can lead to stretching, causing the garments to lose their shape.
Before storing your Merino wool pieces, make sure they are clean. Wash according to the care instructions, and ensure they are completely dry.
Select an airtight container for storing your Merino wool garments. Make sure the container is clean and dry before placing your clothes inside. To safeguard them from moths, use a moth repellent, then store your sealed container in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.

How to Remove Pills

As a natural process caused by friction during wear, pilling happens when the surface yarns intertwine, creating small balls or "pills" on the fabric.

Before addressing existing pilling, remember that prevention is key. Always turn your merino wool garments inside out when washing them. This simple practice reduces friction on the fabric's surface, thereby minimising pilling. Over time, with a few washes, the fibres in your garments will strengthen, further reducing the likelihood of pilling.

Lay the garment flat on a clean, stable surface. Ensure the fabric is smooth and stretched out but not overly taut.
For merino wool garments, we recommend using a battery-operated depiller. Gently press it against the pilled area of your garment, using a light circular motion. Pressing down too hard can snag the threads of your merino wool garment, potentially causing holes or other damage.
After depilling, inspect your garment for any missed pills or areas that may need additional attention. Once satisfied, follow up with proper garment care, including gentle washing (if necessary) and proper storage.

How to Repair Holes & Snags

Women’s knitwear garments are delicate items that need to be handled with care. It is recommended to remove all loose jewellery when dressing to minimise pulls and snags. Belts, bags, seatbelts and other items that rub on knitwear can cause pulls and pilling. We highly recommend bringing any garments with holes or snags to professionals who are skilled in restoring these pieces to their original condition.

Please note that such damages cannot be recognised as a manufacturing fault. If you have received your CABLE garment with a hole or snags, please contact us on (03) 9826 3552 or info@cablemelbourne.com and we will organise an assessment of the garment to get repaired or replaced.