Here at Neem London, the planet is one of our main focuses. We believe that dressing well, in high-quality clothing should not cost the earth, and we are all about making more sustainable and eco-conscious choices where it counts. In this article, we will be shining a light on everything you need to know about one of the most sustainable, raw materials out there, Merino wool.
The History Of Merino Wool
Merino sheep are originally from the North African plateaus of the Atlas Mountains, They got their name from the Berber tribe of Ber-Merines, who moved to Spain in the 12th century, bringing with them the ancestors of the Merinos.
Bred for their fine silken wool, Merinos were so valued that they were only allowed to be owned by the Royal family, or given to favourites as regal gifts. If Merino sheep were bred without the Crown’s approval, it was punishable by death.
In 1797, the first sheep from the famed Royal Merino Flocks of Spain were introduced into Australia. Further selective breeding by Australian farmers soon produced even finer wool before eventually travelling to New Zealand, where careful breeding further evolved the fineness and the performance of the fibre.
Is Wool Too Hot To Wear In Summer?
Merino is a technical fibre, able to react to changes in your body temperature and the environment – insulating you in the cold, and managing heat and moisture when you are hot. We call this thermo-regulation.
Unlike many synthetic fabrics, ZQ Merino is able to absorb and release moisture when needed. This is achieved by the merino fibre’s capacity to absorb up to 35% of its own weight in moisture
before beginning to feel wet. This certainly helps when it comes to getting up a sweat! Merino can release this moisture, giving you a comfortable and balanced next-to-skin microclimate. Important for when you’re faced with that next big meeting…
Wearing a ZQ Merino garment next to your skin gives a wonderfully soft and comfortable tactile experience. It keeps you warm and cool – perfect thermoregulation. In addition, scientific studies have shown that wool generates less odour compared to other fibre types. Often all it takes is a little airing before your garment is ready to wear again. This means your garment doesn’t require as
much washing and you and your garment stay fresher for longer. The technical
complexity of the fibre contributes to Merino’s odour-beating performance.
Wool And The Overflow Of Fashion Waste
An astonishing 150 billion new clothing items are being made annually, most from synthetic materials that won’t biodegrade. Microfibres are found in synthetic garments. According to a recent study with outdoor retailer Patagonia and the University of California, just one item can shed thousands of these tiny synthetic microfibres during laundering. These microplastics enter our waterways, pollute our oceans, get eaten by fish then end up in our bodies via the food chain.
Products and clothing made from natural fibres and materials, like wool, biodegrade easily and pose no threat to aquatic life.
Merino Wool Is Resistant to Body Odour
Did you know that Merino wool is resistant to body odour?
ZQ Merino doesn’t have a lasting attachment to odour – often, all it takes is a little airing before your garment is ready to wear again - meaning it won’t need as much washing anyway! No issues when going from the office to that hot date, when wearing a ZQ Merino shirt!