Washing merino wool?

MOcluck

Lil-Rokslider
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Jul 28, 2012
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286
Location
Missouri
Just a quick question, what do you wash your merino wool with? Do you use scent killer or is there a soap for wool?
 

Hardstalk

WKR
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Apr 29, 2012
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I use a dry cleaner. One closest to home. Even though wool has come a long way its too expensive for me to take a chance and soak it in water. I just tell them to keep it as scent free as possible then i lightly spray it when i get it home with some scent killer. I have not experienced it yet but have heard stories of wool shrinking in half with a normal washer.
 
Joined
Apr 17, 2012
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The best way to wash merino is to use a phosphate/fragrance free product like Tide Free or a hunting specific detergent, wash on cool and hang to dry. You can put all of our stuff in the dryer, with the exception of the pants, but just like a pair of jeans it will last a lot longer if you keep it out of the dryer. Merino dries very quickly. thanks-Kenton... Hardstalk, cool avitar
 

dotman

WKR
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Feb 24, 2012
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Good to see FL on here. I just wash and dry all my stuff, wash cold and dry low heat. Haven't had an issue yet but it is all FL. I did have 1 piece of core4 that shrunk like no other after the first wash.
 
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MOcluck

Lil-Rokslider
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Jul 28, 2012
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Location
Missouri
Thanks for the reply firstlite. All of my merino is firstlite so i'll take your advise!
 

Lawnboi

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Mar 2, 2012
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North Central Wi
I wash all mine with scent free soap with all my other hunting gear. I never dry my merino in the dryer. Some brands say you can, some you can't. I just let mine air dry.
 

ACC

FNG
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May 19, 2012
Messages
81
Sport wash, delicate cycle and hang dry. Never use the dryer!
 

KMT

WKR
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Aug 3, 2012
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609
All of my wool is Smartwool. I wash it in scent free tide with anything else that needs to be washed and dry on normal heat. It never shrinks, and I have done this for years.
 

Throc

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Jul 26, 2012
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Lander, WY
I use smartwool too. I just wash like any other clothing with detergent and cold water. Then hang dry. Never any problems.
 

Jimbob

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Feb 27, 2012
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Location
Smithers, BC
Ivory snow (very mild detergent), use "wool" setting on my washer. lay flat to dry. I have found that hanging wool can alter the shape.
 

Becca

Super Moderator
Staff member
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Feb 26, 2012
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Location
Wasilla, Alaska
I use our regular laundry detergent, and wash ours on delicate, and in cold water inside a mesh bag. I will line or machine dry according to the specific manufacturers instructions, for some reason some companies (smartwool) say you can tumble dry low, while most others (icebreaker, stoic, I/o bio, and minus 33) recommend line drying. The couple of times I goofed up and machine dried our merino I didn't notice any problems, but I suspect line drying is better for the overall life of the products.

I have never worried about the scent too much, as merino is excellent at remaining scent free. I have noticed when my merino clothes get damp or wet in the field from either sweat or rain, that I start to smell a little like a wet sheep :)
 
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