Introduction of Merino Wool

1. Australia’s fine wool is shorn from Merino, which dominates the country’s sheep population. About 79 per cent of the nation’s flock is Merino, with cross-breeds and other breeds making up the remainder. Wool produced from Merino sheep is finer than wool produced from other breeds and since Australia has such an overwhelming number of Merino sheep, it is no wonder that Australian wool is suited to the high-quality apparel and high-end fashion market.
2. Merino – the world’s finest wool – is a unique fibre which looks, feels and wears like no other. It boasts a superior range of natural qualities that extend far beyond its seductive softness next to the skin.

Merino wool:

• Benefits from natural breathability.
• Keeps you warm in winter, yet cool in summer.
• Drapes beautifully and resists creasing.
• Shrugs off stains and keeps its colour when washed.
• Benefits from natural anti-static and anti-odour properties.
• And while synthetic fibres are manufactured from non-renewable oil, Merino is an entirely renewable natural resource – it’s not only soft against the skin but also gentle on the planet.

Advantage of Merino Wool Apparel

• COMFORT. Merino Wool has numerous natural attributes that make it one of the most comfortable of fabrics to wear.
• EASY CARE. Merino Wool has a hand wash reputation over the years, but Merino has a natural resilience and modern Merino fabrics are truly EASY-CARE.
• 100% NATURAL. The worlds finest fiber is still 100% natural Merino Wool, and, in our environmentally conscious times, its sustainability and biodegradability are highly marketable properties.
• PERFORMANCE. Qualities like high insulation and low air permeability have made Merino a favorite for outdoor apparel, while its moisture transport gives athletes an edge in performance.
• SAFETY. Merino Wool offers naturally high UV protection and fire resistance, and, after recent innovations, even has application in bulletproof vests.

How to Care for Your Merino Wool Clothing

1) DRYING.

Lay flat on a towel, inside, away from direct sun light to dry. Don't hang them up nor dry them outside in sunlight. That is all. Pretty simple. For some extra tips you may try the following but, these are user tips, not manufacturer tips. To dry faster naturally, lay the garment flat and put a book in the bottom of the jersey to prop it up and point a floor fan at it filling it like a balloon. This can speed the drying time to 25 minutes, depending on temperature and humidity. Once the top is dry, flip it and put little biz cards (without bleedable ink) in each pocket and point the fan so it blows in the pockets.

2) SOFTNESS and RELAXATION.

The wool gets much softer and more elastic after the first wash, so it is best best to wash your garment before using it for the first time. There will be an initial relaxation of the garment (about 3 cm in width for a size large jersey). This is not shrinkage, but relaxation. Like a rubber band under tension returning to it's natural state. The sizing takes this into consideration. Shrinking happened with wools 30 years ago along with itchiness. Back then, wool fibers were breaking an sticking out, and the inconsistent fibers used caused ratcheting down, which resulted in shrinkage. Today, technology in wool treatment has come light years forward. If you follow these instructions and continue to buy fine wool products such as our cycling apparel, you will see years of consistent sizing and comfortable use.

3) STORAGE.

Our garments are made of the best Merino wool on earth treated for machine washing, color permanence, and super softness. Additionally, these garments have undergone an Anti Moth treatment. No one else does that! With that said, let's not give any of those critters a chance of a free meal. Always store your fully dry wool items in a sealed ziplock bag in a drawer that is used often. Why you ask? Well the type of moth that likes your clothes, hate LIGHT and they really hate MOVEMENT. So when you toss clothes in a dark corner of a closet and leave it there for a long time, the moths think "A! SWEET!, chow time without being disturbed!" But when you keep the jersey in a sealed bag in a drawer with clothes that you access daily (t-shirts, underwear, jeans etc), the opening and moving things around makes it unattractive for moths and reduces greatly any potential of damage. Now you know how they operate!

Wash Your Merino Wool Apparel

• Washing By Hand. Washing fine merino wool clothing by hand is always recommended. You can start by filling a basin that will be able to accommodate your garments comfortably with warm water and a mild and gentle soap. There are special wool washing fluids that are available that utilize cold water, so if you use one of these type products, be sure to read the label first. Submerge your garment in the water and let it soak for just three to five minutes, followed by rinsing in warm water. Without twisting or wringing the garment, squeeze as much water as you can from it. A great way to absorb excess liquid is to roll the item in a thick, absorbent towel. You can then squeeze or wring the towel with a gentle touch. Once you unwrap it, you can lay it flat in order to dry lying on a new, dry towel. If you dare, you can try to use the spin cycle on your washer to help you remove a heavily wet garment. Remember, do not put it on the rinse cycle; use the spin cycle only. Never put a fine merino wool garment into the dryer unless you plan to give it as a gift for a new baby afterward.
• Machine Washable. If you want to wash the family hats, scarves and gloves in the washing machine, be sure that you use the gentle cycle or if your machine has one, a cycle marked for knits. The regular cycle has too much agitation for merino wool products and can cause it to shrink. Check to be sure that the temperature is for warm water wash and rinse. Don't use your regular laundry detergent; use a milder soap made especially for this purpose. You can find quite a few selections for this when you visit the grocery store. If you don't want to spend your money on costly woolen wash products, you can always use Palmolive Liquid Detergent. If you decide that you will stick with the professionals and use a woolen wash product, then be sure you follow the instructions for use carefully. You don't want to use a soap with a high pH, look for a soap with a neutral pH for best results.
• If All Else Fails. If you are not comfortable with your ability to care for your merino wool clothing, you can always send it to the dry cleaners. Most merino wool apparel can be safely cleaned by a dry cleaner, but you must be careful because frequent exposure to the harsh chemicals used can damage the fabric and make the wool harsh, which sort of defeats the purpose of wearing merino wool clothing.