Wool clothing, merino wool etc.

[SALMONEMIA]

I have become a huge fan and user of wool base layers,  vests , hoodies etc. I have been using it exclusively the last few years. It's a great piece of gear. Most of mine is washable merino wool.  I recently purchased a merino wool vest to replace my poly vest. It looks to be very good quality.  My only concern is that it is dry clean only.  Supposedly because the wool was boiled in the manufacturing process it cant be washed under normal conditions.  Are there any wool experts on here. ? I know CD has some experience.  Can I hand wash this item? In sure someone on here also uses similar wool products. I spend alota money on my winter gear but it's worth it for my comfort.  I have looked online but couldn't find much.

[mowbizz]

I would call the manufacturer. I have recently invested in Minus33 Merino base layers and socks for hunting and keeping my feet warm in the house. Everything I have can be machine or hand washed but I’m no expert.

[SALMONEMIA]

Minus 33 is good. I been using wool x.
I did call them they said it was boiled wool. It can't handle washing . I understand that but wonder why that is.
I did read on a few forums it can be hand washed. Just asking if anyone has any personal experience on this? I'm a rule breaker sometimes. 

[ishoot308]

I can’t say enough good about quality Merino wool clothing. I have a lot of the Minus 33 expedition weight base layer Merino wool and they have kept me comfortable, warm and dry in the coldest of weather. They are exceptional and by far the best clothing I have ever bought!

As far as washing them, you can machine wash on gentle cycle or hand wash if you want using a mild soap preferably designed for wool like this…. 

https://smile.amazon.com/Grangers-Merino-Wool-Wash-England/dp/B00R1FO6PM/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2JWMV82UQ7TPY&keywords=Grangers%2BMerino%2BWash&qid=1642475473&sprefix=grangers%2Bmerino%2Bwash%2Caps%2C425&sr=8-5&th=1

 Turn them inside out before washing and never ever put them in the dryer on any setting… Air dry only!

Quality Merino wool should not be washed every time you wear it as it has a natural anti bacterial odor reducing property allowing multiple wears before washing.

Dan

[meandcuznalfy]

I believe hand washing is ok, but just need to air dry it, if you put it in a dryer it'll shrink.

[mowbizz]

Minus 33 is good. I been using wool x.
I did call them they said it was boiled wool. It can't handle washing . I understand that but wonder why that is.
I did read on a few forums it can be hand washed. Just asking if anyone has any personal experience on this? I'm a rule breaker sometimes.

Doesn’t make sense to me…what if you get it wet? Hand washing is as gentle as it gets…basically soaking in a wool specific detergent and softly swishing it around. Then gently press the water out and roll inside a towel then air dry. I would try hand washing just to see what happens…🤔

[AQUAASSASSIN]

I’m not telling you it’s right or wrong, I am telling you I do it with no issues. I machine wash all my Beaglewear and Sitka Wool, Then I air dry it.

[HuntnFish603]

I machine wash as well, air dry. Maybe it's 'breaking the rules" bit it works for me

[AQUAASSASSIN]

I machine wash as well, air dry. Maybe it's 'breaking the rules" bit it works for me

Yeup, wash inside out and air dry and no pilling or anything.

Disclaimer: if you hang it in shower or something overnight you won’t have clothes in the am lol. It takes 2 days. Ask me how I know 

[800stealth]

Agreed, gentle cycle in the machine and air dry... I've learned from a couple pairs of socks that throwing them in the dryer will do them in.

[Uppervalley Kid]

I would wager that gentle machine washing and air dry would be fine. On many occasion I have had my woolies completely soaked through in the rain and air dried them without any damage. I think the biggest concern would be wear to the fabric and seams from getting tossed around in the wash over shrinkage.

[Roccus]

I’m not telling you it’s right or wrong, I am telling you I do it with no issues. I machine wash all my Beaglewear and Sitka Wool, Then I air dry it.

same here.

I wash my Johnson Malone wool pants in the washer... cold water … air dry, same with my marino wool sweater and Heavy wool vest... been doing so since the 70's... the ONLY  time Ive had an issue was when I forgot to set to cold water... I think the pants shrank 15 sizes..

[SALMONEMIA]

Thanks guys  . I currently wash all my wool items on gentle cycle using basefresh detergent. I never dry with heat just hang on the rack let it dry naturally.  I agree its seemed weird that it cant get wet especially since it is  a piece of outdoor gear. When the time comes I'll just wash by hand gently. Dry clean sounds like overkill.
And frank i hear that my clothes have vanished from the shower as well.

[Nosaj]

My minus 33, darn tough and black ovis stuff I was and dry with normal laundry.  I have some wool First Light pants that did not like the reg. cycle so I wash on a wool cycle and dry on a delicates cycle.  My Johnson wool does not get washed unless it really gets bloody or dirty.

[missoulafish]

5 gallon bucket, warm water and Woolite and hand wash all my Merino stuff and then lay it on  a large beach towel and roll it up and then walk on it to push out as much water as possible and then hang dry. Dries in a couple hours. Ive shrunk too much wool stuff in the past  and it still stings.

[Hottuna5150]

I wash my Johnson Malone wool pants in the washer... cold water … air dry, same with my marino wool sweater and Heavy wool vest... been doing so since the 70's... the ONLY  time Ive had an issue was when I forgot to set to cold water... I think the pants shrank 15 sizes..

Sounds like that mistake was rough on the plums!

[SALMONEMIA]

Thanks for all the good feed back. I really like the Five gallon bucket idea. Joe I can just imagine the words after you realized you shrunk those pants.

[Dickbakers]

Still have my Beagle waterproof wool pants from decades ago.
Full zipper for boots.   Never be able to replace them.   Beagle shop was just east of Johnson Woolen mills. 
Dick

[Roccus]

Thanks for all the good feed back. I really like the Five gallon bucket idea. Joe I can just imagine the words after you realized you shrunk those pants.

LMAO..never to be repeated in church or in the presence of a lady.

[HiLoYo5]

Depends entirely on the brand.  I hunt as well as fish so I buy First Lite brand Merino Wool.  I run that through the washing machine and drier (cold water, low heat) and have been for years with no shrinking. 

I’d go with whatever the manufacturer says to do.  But if you are in the market, the first lite stuff is fantastic.

[Guinea]

I just checked the tag on my wool pants. It says JC Higgins. I don't think they had merino sheep when they were made lol.

[mowbizz]

I just checked the tag on my wool pants. It says JC Higgins. I don't think they had merino sheep when they were made lol.

LMAO😂 Geeze, Steph…now you got me thinking about the old Sears catalogs! 🤪
Those pants are probably more like steel wool! 🤣

[Guinea]

LMAO😂 Geeze, Steph…now you got me thinking about the old Sears catalogs! 🤪
Those pants are probably more like steel wool! 🤣

Yeah, I don't wear them without an underlayer! lol