When the fibers are agitated or stretched while wet, they can become compressed and lock together causing the fabric to shrink.įor instance, washing your merino wool clothing like socks in water that’s too hot or leaving it to soak for too long makes them susceptible to shrinkage. Merino wool fibers have a natural tendency to absorb moisture, which can cause them to swell and become more pliable. MoistureĪnother factor that causes the shrinking of wool clothing is moisture. The heat from the iron causes the fibers to compress and shrink leaving the clothing distorted and misshapen. In some cases, the shrinkage was so severe that the clothing was no longer wearableĪnother example is when people iron their merino wool clothing at high temperatures. As a result, the sweater no longer fits properly and may even feel scratchy and uncomfortable. The heat causes the wool fibers to contract, and the fabric becomes shorter and tighter. This is why it’s important to avoid exposing merino wool clothing to high temperatures.įor example, I’ve seen people accidentally shrink their merino wool sweaters by washing them in hot water or putting them in the dryer on high heat. When heat is applied to the wool, the scales become compressed and lock together more tightly causing the fibers to shrink. HeatĪs I stated earlier, merino wool fibers have small natural scales that can interlock and cause matting or felting when exposed to certain factors. The main cause of merino wool shrinkage is the application of heat, agitation, and moisture. Merino wool, like all wool, is prone to shrinkage when exposed to certain conditions. Factors that contribute to the shrinking of merino wool clothing This is because the finer fibers have a higher surface area-to-volume ratio, which means that there are more scales on the surface of each fiber that can interlock and cause shrinkage. While this gives merino wool its unique softness and drape, it also makes it more susceptible to shrinkage. Merino wool, in particular, is known for its fine, soft fibers, which have a smaller diameter than many other types of wool. In addition, heat can cause the scales to open up further and interlock more tightly, exacerbating the shrinkage. This felting occurs because the interlocking of the fibers causes them to become shorter and tighter resulting in a reduction in overall size. When wool is exposed to moisture, the scales on the surface of the fibers can swell and interlock causing the wool to shrink and become felted. This crimp gives wool its characteristic elasticity and resilience as well as its ability to trap air and insulate against cold temperatures.Īdditionally, wool fibers have microscopic scales on their surface, which can interlock with one another when exposed to moisture or heat. Merino wool is a natural fiber that is composed of a protein called keratin that forms the wool’s complex structure of scales and fibers, which give it a natural crimp or waviness. I will also look at the factors that contribute to the shrinkage of clothing made from merino wool. In this section, I will discuss the natural properties of wool fibers and how these properties affect merino wool specifically. However, one common issue that many people experience with merino wool is shrinkage. It is a high-quality type of wool that is valued for its softness, warmth, and moisture-wicking properties. Merino wool has many benefits, which make it popular for clothing.
DOES WOOL SHRINK HOW TO
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the science behind merino wool fibers, explore common mistakes that cause shrinking, and equip you with foolproof tips on how to prevent it from happening. As someone who loves clothing made from merino wool, I was devastated the first time I pulled my favorite sweater out of the dryer only to discover that it had shrunk to the size of a toddler’s shirt.īased on my research, I understand this is a common and frustrating problem and one that’s caused many wool enthusiasts to throw their hands up in defeat.īut what causes merino wool shrinkage, and is there anything we can do to prevent it?
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