Merino Care: Wash Less, Wear More (And Keep It Working for Years)
Good gear isn't cheap. And if you're investing in merino base layers, you want them to last. The good news? Merino is tough. The bad news? A lot of people accidentally wreck it by washing it wrong.
I've seen people toss merino in with their jeans, crank the heat to hot, throw in some fabric softener, and wonder why their $100 base layer feels like cardboard after a few washes. Don't be that person.
Merino doesn't need much. But what it does need, it really needs. Here's how to keep your gear working the way it's supposed to.
The Golden Rule: Wash Less
This isn't just about being lazy. Merino is naturally antibacterial and odor-resistant. That means you can wear it multiple days in a row without it getting gross. And the less you wash it, the longer it lasts.
In the field, airing out your merino gear works wonders. Hang it up overnight in a well-ventilated spot, and you'll be surprised how fresh it feels the next day. Sometimes airing does more than washing – especially if you're just dealing with sweat and not actual dirt.
If you do need to rinse it in the field, plain water works. No soap, no detergent. It'll refresh the fabric and remove surface dirt. Just don't skip washing it properly when you get home – body oils build up over time, and if you let them sit too long, they can damage the fibers and kill all those benefits you're paying for.
For a deeper clean in the field, a tiny bit of biodegradable soap or low-pH shampoo will do the job without wrecking the fabric.
How to Actually Wash Merino
When it's time to wash at home, here's what works:
Temperature: Cold to lukewarm. Never hot. Hot water breaks down the fibers and shrinks the fabric. If you want your base layer to fit like a kids' shirt after three washes, go ahead and crank the heat. Otherwise, keep it cool.
Detergent: Use a wool-specific detergent. Regular detergent is fine in a pinch, but wool detergents are gentler and won't strip the natural oils that make merino work. And whatever you do, skip the fabric softener. Softeners coat the fibers and kill the moisture-wicking and odor-resistance. This goes for all performance fabrics – natural or synthetic.
What to wash it with: Don't throw your merino in with rough fabrics like jeans or work pants. And definitely don't wash it with anything that has velcro or zippers. Those will snag and pill your merino faster than anything else.
Drying: Lay it flat to dry. That's it. Merino will survive a tumble dryer, but if you want it to last, don't push it. It's not a $15 synthetic shirt – treat it like the investment it is.
Storage: Fold, Don't Hang
When you're storing merino between seasons, fold it. Don't hang it. Merino stretches when it's hung for long periods, and you'll end up with saggy shoulders and a weird fit.
Keep it somewhere dry and cool. If you're worried about moths (they love natural fibers), toss in some cedar or lavender. Skip the mothballs – they smell terrible and aren't necessary.
Why This Matters
Merino isn't indestructible, but it's close if you treat it right. Wash it less, wash it smart, and it'll keep performing for years. Ignore the care basics, and you'll be replacing it way sooner than you should.
Good gear deserves good care. It's that simple.
Quick Care Tips (Summary)
- Wash less: Air out between wears – it works better than you think
- Cold water only: Hot water = shrinkage and damaged fibers
- Use wool detergent: Skip fabric softener entirely (kills performance)
- Wash separately: Keep it away from rough fabrics, velcro, and zippers
- Flat dry: No dryer unless you're in a rush – it'll last longer
- Fold for storage: Hanging stretches it out over time
- Field refresh: Plain water rinse or biodegradable soap for deep cleans
- Don't skip real washes: Body oils build up and damage fibers – wash it properly every few wears