6 Reasons Why Merino Wool Clothing is Worth the Investment
If you have considered investing in Merino wool clothing for your family, but the expense is holding you back, you may want to reconsider. Even though Merino wool is not cheap, there are some incredible properties to this special fabric that make it more than worth the investment. Here are some things to think about.
1. It’s Not Your Grandmother’s Wool
Merino wool is soft, lightweight, and durable. This means you can comfortably wear it more often, in varying temperatures, without the worry of ruining the piece. In fact, it’s so durable that even after many wears and washes in the washing machine, each piece still comes out looking like new. This also makes it a perfect choice for large families that like to hand the pieces down from child to child.
2. It Has Easy Care Instructions
To care for Merino wool clothing, you’ll turn items inside out, machine wash in warm or cool water on a gentle cycle and tumble dry on low. Also, there is no need to add bleach or fabric softener. The fabric does not stretch or sag and can be worn two to three times between washings. Also, this amazing fabric is naturally anti-wrinkle, biodegradable, anti-static, flameproof, stain-resistant, durable, and quick-drying.
3. Merino Wool is Luxurious
Merino wool comes from the Merino sheep of Australia and New Zealand. The fibers from this wool are so fine and soft that they measure less than half the size of a human hair and have been compared to silk and cashmere. However, the wool is virtually wrinkle-free, is soft and flowy across the body, feels great on, can handle all of the day’s adventures and requires very little in the way of care.
4. It’sTemperature Regulating
This wool keeps you warm in the cold and cool in the heat. It has a wicking property that wicks sweat away from your body and keeps you cool. In addition, Merino wool is antimicrobial, which means the moisture-wicking properties also help keep body odors away.
5. It’s Sustainable
The sheep are shorn once or twice a year and then grow a new coat. Just in case you’re concerned, the shearing process is purely manual labor and causes no pain or discomfort to the sheep. Also, the fabric doesn’t have to be washed as often, which has a positive impact on the environment. Thus, Merino wool is 100% ecological.
6. It’s Perfect for Travel
Not only is Merino wool perfect to travel with because it is lightweight, but it is also a great idea for many reasons. You are carrying fewer items because of the versatility of the Merino pieces. You are able to wear them longer between washes. Plus, they can become instant staples in all different climates.
In warmer temperatures, the water-wicking feature helps keep you cool and, in the coolerclimates the wool insulates you, and the pieces can easily be layered for added warmth. Also, the wool has natural UV protection for long days out in the sun exploring.
Why is Merino Wool More Expensive?
The main reason this wool is more costly is simple supply and demand. There are only a specific number of Alpine sheep that are raised in Australia and New Zealand. They can only be shorn once — or possibly twice — a year because the rest of the time they are regrowing their wool coats.
Once the wool of the sheep is harvested, it can be made into a limited amount of the thread needed for these specific garments. Also, since the thread is so fine, it takes a lot more of it to make a garment. You could produce more sheep, but that would increase labor, food and manpower costs. And almost all of the Merino sheep farms are ethical farms, which can add to the cost as well.
Bottom Line: Merino Wool is an Investment That Can Pay You Back Over and Over
These pieces will be a part of your wardrobe for years to come. They keep their shape and don’t stretch, are able to look new for years, are tough and can handle rugged use, and are also beautiful and fit the body in a soft flowing way. They are naturally anti-wrinkle, biodegradable, anti-static, flameproof, stain-resistant, durable and quick-drying. They need to be washed less often. They have natural UV protectant, are eco-friendly, and are temperature regulating so that can be worn in the coldest or hottest environments comfortably.
