One of the biggest myths about merino wool is that it's difficult to care for.
In reality, merino is one of the easiest fabrics in your wardrobe to look after. It naturally resists odour, regulates temperature, dries quickly and rarely needs washing. The challenge isn't that wool is delicate. It's simply that most people have been taught to treat it like cotton.
Get a few basics right and your merino will stay soft, comfortable and looking good for years.
ZQ Merino Super 120s Wool Navy Jersey Overshirt
Why Does Wool Shrink?
To understand how to wash merino properly, it helps to understand why wool shrinks in the first place.
Every wool fibre is covered in tiny overlapping scales. When wool is exposed to heat, moisture and excessive agitation, those scales can lock together. The fibres tighten, the fabric contracts and the garment shrinks. That's why most wool-care advice focuses on avoiding a combination of high temperatures and aggressive washing.
The good news? Modern merino fabrics have come a long way.
Why Neem's Merino Is Different
At Neem, we use ZQ Merino wool, sourced from certified New Zealand farms and fully traceable back to origin. On ZQ farms, in New Zealand, sheep graze on land managed to keep the soil in good health: rotated pastures, ground that's never left bare, and fewer chemical inputs. Healthy soil grows better grass, and better grass grows finer, more consistent wool.
Every ZQ farm is audited and certified, and the wool is traceable back to it. The result is a finer, softer and more consistent fibre that feels luxurious against the skin without the itch often associated with lower-quality wool.
Just as importantly, we work with Reda (certified B Corp), the Italian mill renowned for producing some of the world's finest merino fabrics. You can read our blog about why merino wool is not itchy and a very good fibre on the skin HERE.
Many machine washable wool garments rely on the traditional chlorine Hercosett process, which uses chemical treatments to prevent shrinkage. While effective, the process has raised environmental concerns around wastewater discharge.
Neem takes a different approach.
Our merino fabrics are produced under ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) protocols, meaning they're manufactured under strict environmental standards designed to minimise harmful chemical discharge and protect waterways.
It's a better solution for the environment, without compromising on performance.
ZQ Merino Steel Blue Super 120s Stretch T-Shirt
So when you buy a Neem merino T-shirt, you're getting:
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Traceable ZQ Merino wool
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Exceptional softness and comfort
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Natural performance properties
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Responsible production standards
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High-quality fibres designed to last
How to Machine Wash Merino Wool
Most Neem merino garments can be machine washed at home. You don't need to hand wash them after every wear, and you certainly don't need expensive dry cleaning.
1. Use a Wool or Delicate Cycle
The programme is more important than the temperature. Wool cycles reduce agitation, which helps protect the fibres and maintain the shape of the garment.
2. Wash at 30°C
Merino doesn't need hot water to stay fresh. A cool 30°C wash is enough to remove dirt and refresh the fibres while helping preserve the fabric's natural performance.
3. Choose a Low Spin
Keep spin speeds around 600rpm where possible. Lower spin speeds put less stress on wet fibres and help maintain the shape of the garment.
4. Turn the Garment Inside Out
This helps reduce surface abrasion and minimises pilling over time.
5. Wash with Similar Fabrics
Avoid washing merino alongside garments with heavy zips, rivets or rough hardware that can damage fine knitwear.
Choosing the Right Detergent
Merino wool is a natural protein fibre, much like human hair. Many biological detergents contain enzymes designed to break down proteins, which can gradually damage wool fibres over time.
For best results:
1. Use a wool detergent or mild liquid detergent
2. Choose enzyme-free products where possible
3. Avoid bleach
4. Avoid fabric softener - Fabric softeners coat the fibre surface and can reduce many of the natural performance benefits that make merino so effective.
How to Dry Merino Wool?
Drying is often where garments become damaged, not washing.
1. Don't Tumble Dry
High heat and constant movement are the perfect recipe for shrinkage.
2. Don't Hang It Wet
Wet wool is surprisingly heavy. Hanging can stretch the shoulders and distort the shape.
3. Lay Flat to Dry
Simply reshape the garment while damp and lay it flat on a towel or drying rack. Merino naturally regulates moisture, meaning it often dries faster than people expect.
How Often Should You Wash Merino?
Less often than you think.
At Neem, we often say: Wear it seven times before washing it.
That might sound surprising if you're used to cotton, but merino behaves differently. The fibres naturally absorb and release moisture vapour, making it harder for odour-causing bacteria to thrive. Often, all a merino T-shirt needs is a night on a hanger with some fresh air.
Many customers find they can wear a Neem merino T-shirt multiple times before it needs washing. That's not only convenient, it's also more sustainable.
Less washing means:
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Less water use
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Less energy consumption
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Less detergent
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Less wear on the garment
Which helps your clothes last longer and reduces their overall environmental impact.
ZQ Merino Wool Jersey Navy T-Shirt
Why Merino Performs Better Than Cotton
One of merino's biggest advantages is its ability to manage moisture naturally.
While cotton absorbs moisture and can feel damp against the skin, merino fibres can absorb up to 30% of their own weight in moisture before feeling wet.
The fibre then slowly releases that moisture back into the atmosphere, helping create a comfortable microclimate next to your skin.
Merino also has excellent natural elasticity, meaning the fibres recover their shape after stretching and creases often disappear with nothing more than a little humidity and time.
Looking After Your Merino for the Long Term
A few simple habits will keep your merino garments performing at their best:
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Air garments between wears
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Spot clean small marks where possible
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Fold knitwear rather than hanging it long-term
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Store clean wool garments when not in use
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Use cedar blocks or cedar hangers if storing seasonally
Small steps make a big difference over time.
Why We Love Merino at Neem
Merino perfectly reflects what we're trying to achieve at Neem...
Natural performance. Thoughtful sourcing. Fewer washes. Longer-lasting garments.
Our Super 120s ZQ Merino T-shirts are designed to replace multiple cotton alternatives, helping you buy less and wear more. Soft, breathable, odour-resistant and responsibly sourced, they're the kind of wardrobe staple that works harder, lasts longer and has a lighter impact on the planet.
That's better for you, and better for the world around us.
Frequently asked questions
Can you machine wash merino wool?
Yes. Use the wool or delicate cycle at 30 degrees or below, with a low spin and an enzyme-free detergent. Turn the garment inside out first. The cycle matters more than the temperature, because it is agitation that causes damage.
Does merino wool shrink?
It shrinks when heat and agitation are combined, which makes the scales on each fibre lock together and the fabric contract. This is called felting and it cannot be undone. Wash cool, spin low and never tumble dry, and it will not happen.
What detergent should I use on merino wool?
A wool-specific or enzyme-free liquid detergent. Standard biological detergents contain enzymes that break down protein, and wool is a protein fibre, so they degrade the garment over repeated washes. Avoid bleach and fabric softener.
Can you tumble dry merino wool?
No. A tumble dryer applies heat and agitation at the same time, which is the precise combination that felts wool. Lay the garment flat to dry instead, away from direct heat.
How often should you wash a merino wool t-shirt?
Far less often than cotton. Merino resists odour because it draws moisture into the fibre core rather than leaving it on the surface where bacteria multiply. Several wears between washes is normal. Hang it overnight in moving air and it recovers.
Why does my merino wool smell after washing?
Usually fabric softener or a heavy detergent has coated the fibre and blocked its moisture management. Wash once with a plain wool detergent and no softener, then rinse thoroughly.
How do you get creases out of merino wool?
Most drop out on their own, because the fibre has natural elasticity. A steamer handles the rest. If you iron, use a cool setting with a pressing cloth and keep the iron moving.
How do you stop moths getting into merino?
Store it clean. Moths are attracted to sweat and skin traces in worn wool rather than to the fibre itself. Fold garments, keep them in a sealed box for the summer, and add cedar.
What is ZDHC?
ZDHC stands for Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals, a global multi-stakeholder foundation that works to eliminate harmful chemicals from the textile, leather, apparel, and footwear supply chains.