Merino wool from merino sheep: The high-tech fiber from nature
Everything you need to know about buying merino wool
M
erino wool is on everyone's lips and is now widely used in the outdoor sector.
This blog post takes a closer look at the following topics:
1) What is merino wool?
2) Where does merino wool come from?
3) What is mulesing?
- The suffering of Merino sheep
- Mulesing-free wool: What should I look out for?
4) Advantages & properties of merino wool
-Why does merino wool not itch?
- Why does merino wool keep you warm when it's cool?
- Why does merino wool keep you cool when it's hot?
- Why does merino wool smell less than synthetically produced fabrics?
5) Material mix: What does the synthetic fiber content do?
6.) Merino wool care: washing merino wool
7.) Recycling
8.) Conclusion
1) What is merino wool?
About 5% of the world's fiber supply consists of sheep's wool, of which merino sheep contribute the largest share at around 40%. Merino wool is a very fine, soft, low-luster, highly crimped and very high-quality wool from merino sheep. It is therefore particularly suitable for use in body-hugging clothing, for example as a base layer (onion-skin principle).
The main component of all animal fibers is always a protein. Depending on the type or origin, sheep's wool is composed as follows:
Carbon (50-52%)
Hydrogen (6.5-7.5%)
Oxygen (22-25%)
Nitrogen (16-17%)
Sulphur (3-4%)
Ash (0.5%)
2) Where does merino wool come from?
There are now many countries that keep Merino sheep. The actual breeding of sheep began around 1280, when Merino sheep, originally from North Africa, arrived in Spain. In the Middle Ages, wool was the most important textile raw material in Europe. The export of merino sheep from Spain, until then forbidden by the Spanish royal family under threat of the death penalty, began in the middle of the 18th century. The sheep were mainly exported to Germany, England, Austria and Russia, where they were crossed with native breeds (resulting in the so-called crossbreds). In the 19th century, European settlers began to build up huge flocks of sheep overseas.
Today, Australia is the main supplier of merino wool. New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and the Falkland Islands are also well-known suppliers of merino wool.
How the merino wool fabric is made
3) What is mulesing?
- The suffering of Merino sheep
Mulesing is a painful practice to prevent the infestation of parasites. Merino sheep have been bred to have particularly wrinkled skin so that they can produce even more wool. Moisture quickly accumulates in the folds of skin under the dense coat. Lard flies use this climate to lay their eggs, especially in the anus area of the animals. Maggots hatch from these eggs and eat the sheep alive. Instead of breeding animals with less fur and wrinkles, the farmers try to prevent this fly infestation with so-called mulesing: This involves cutting plate-sized pieces of meat from the area around the tail of the lambs without administering painkillers. This is intended to create a smooth, scarred surface that no longer provides a target for fly eggs.
- Mulesing-free merino wool: what should I look out for?
When it comes to the origin of merino wool, you should make sure that the wool comes from countries or farms that demonstrably do not practice mulesing. Ask the respective company where the wool comes from. Often there are many middlemen and it is difficult to trace where the wool comes from. In this case, the price can be a guide. You should view cheap merino products with skepticism. Prefer brand manufacturers who pay attention to the quality and origin of the wool.
Mulesing has been officially banned in New Zealand since October 1, 2018. The wool of the sheep is labeled with the voluntary quality seal Zque of the New Zealand Merino Company. Here is a list of companies that are against mulesing and are also taking action against it.
4) Advantages & properties of merino wool
- Why does merino wool not itch?
The fineness of wool is measured in micrometers. Merino wool is particularly fine and has a shorter staple than conventional wool. It ranges from 14.5 to 25 micrometers. This corresponds to a length of 35-150 mm. German wool, for example, has a fineness of 28.5 - 38 microns.
This means that merino wool curls when it comes into contact with the skin because it is so fine and elastic. The nerve cells on the skin perceive this as pleasant and not as scratchy as with conventional new wool.
There are basically the following quality classes in merino wool:
ultrafine: less than 16.9 microns
superfine: 17 - 18.9 microns
fine: 19 - 21.9 microns
medium: 22 - 23 microns
strong: 24 - 25 micron
- Why does merino wool keep you warm when it's cold?
Wool textiles are known for their good insulating properties. Wool has a so-called natural thermoregulation property. Due to its crimped structure, the merino fiber can contain up to 85% air (in relation to its total volume).
In cold temperatures, this air cushion is warmed by the body temperature. Air is a poor conductor of heat and so the heat remains trapped in the spaces between the fibers. The trapped air therefore reduces the heat exchange in the material, stores body heat and thus has an insulating effect on the outside.
- Why does merino wool smell less quickly than synthetically produced fabrics?
Wool or merino wool smells unpleasant less quickly due to the natural self-cleaning function of the wool fiber. Wool absorbs dirt poorly and absorbed odors are released back into the air. As long as the natural wool wax (lanolin) is not washed out, wool fabrics hardly get dirty and rarely need to be cleaned. The wool smells neutral again after a short airing.
The core of the fiber is responsible for this natural process. It consists of two different cell types that can absorb different amounts of moisture. When moisture is absorbed, these swell to different degrees. This results in a constant friction process that causes the fibers to clean themselves again and again.
5) Material mix: What is the effect of the synthetic fiber content?
Many manufacturers offer merino wool clothing that is blended with other fibers. Blends with polyacrylonitrile fibers are often found, as their properties are closest to those of wool. This can increase the functionality of the material by combining the advantages of synthetic fibers with those of merino wool. As a rule, synthetic fibers are used to make the material more durable.
A small amount of elastane makes the material even more stretchy and increases its tear resistance. Merino synthetic fiber blends also dry faster and improve moisture transport. Another advantage is that the clothing is easier to care for.
6) Merino wool care: washing merino wool
Here we have a short and snappy blog post about caring for merino wool. It contains everything you need to know about caring for merino wool.
7) Recycling
Fibers for further processing can be obtained from new or already worn sheep's wool textiles. The resulting material is called rayon.
8) Conclusion
As you have read above, merino wool has many positive properties. The different qualities of merino wool make it possible for this high-tech fiber to be used all year round. Merino clothing can therefore be used in a wide variety of areas. Merino clothing is not only popular for outdoor sports, you can also benefit from the positive properties of this fiber in everyday life. As a T-shirt in summer for hiking or in everyday life in the office. It makes particular sense to wear merino T-shirts, merino underwear and merino socks on hikes and long tours, as merino wool requires less washing and feels pleasant on the skin in both cool and hot temperatures.
So you should pay attention to this when buying:
- What is the thickness (quality) of the merino wool? Is it thicker or thinner? This is important for the area of use. In winter, for example, you are more likely to choose a thicker longsleeve for skiing, and in summer a light merino shirt for hiking.
- Where does the wool come from? Is it mulesing-free and therefore free from animal suffering? If there is no information or you find it difficult to get information, you should ask yourself why. This can also be determined by the price. You should take a critical look at very cheap merino products. If you are not sure, ask the company in question.
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