In this blog post, we’ll cover the washing and care of merino wool.
IVAN’s own innovation— the world’s first merino wool bedding—has sparked curiosity and even some confusion (understandably!), so we’re here to explain how to properly care for merino wool and how we personally maintain our own merino bed linens.
Merino wool is a low-maintenance, durable, and naturally antibacterial fiber that deserves proper care—when taken care of, merino products become long-lasting companions whose incredible properties do not fade over time!
What is Merino Wool?
Merino wool comes from merino sheep, and it is significantly finer than traditional, coarse-feeling sheep’s wool. Merino sheep have developed a unique wool coat that enables them to withstand extreme weather conditions, from freezing winds to scorching heat, in places like New Zealand, the Southern Alps, Australia, and South Africa.
The fibers of merino wool are long, elastic, and much thinner than traditional wool. This exceptional fiber structure allows merino yarn to be crafted into ultra-light, breathable fabrics—making merino wool products ideal for both cold and hot conditions.
Additionally, merino wool is naturally antibacterial, refreshes itself when aired out, effectively prevents odors, and maintains its quality better the less it is washed. In other words, it's the perfect choice for adventurers, campers, van lifers, and anyone who values quality and sustainability!
Why Choose a Merino Wool Product?
When it comes to trapping insulating air, merino wool is the most effective fiber in the world. In IVAN’s merino wool sheets, merino yarn is looped into an organic cotton warp, creating an extra layer of air between your skin and the fabric. This prevents the sheet from sticking to your skin and naturally balances temperature.
Merino wool fibers also react to your body temperature: when your skin gets warm, the moisture trapped in the fabric is released to cool the air between your skin and the material.
That’s why merino wool always feels soft, perfectly warm, and dry—it wicks moisture away from the skin. In fact, merino wool can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture while still feeling dry to the touch.
Another amazing property of merino wool is that it is naturally antibacterial. This means that it essentially cleans itself. The wool fibers interact with oxygen and break down odor molecules—including smoke and sweat—even in socks!
Because of this, merino wool products primarily need airing rather than washing, which is incredibly convenient—especially when washing facilities are limited. Fewer washes mean less water and detergent use, reducing your carbon footprint without compromising on comfort.
What Does Mulesing-Free Mean?
Mulesing is a surgical procedure performed by some Australian sheep farmers in which loose skin around a sheep’s rear is removed to prevent parasitic fly infestations. This procedure is painful for the sheep when done without anesthesia.
At IVAN, we only use mulesing-free wool, ensuring ethical and humane treatment of animals.
Merino Wool Refreshes with Airing and Requires Less Frequent Washing than Regular Bedding
Now that you understand merino wool a bit better, let's dive into the actual washing and care instructions!
How to Care for Merino Wool
Merino wool rarely needs washing because its fibers naturally repel dirt and odors. Most of the time, simply airing out the fabric in fresh air is enough.
During van life trips, we hang our merino sheets and pillowcases on fences, bike racks, tree branches—basically anywhere sturdy enough. For a quick refresh, merino pillowcases can even be cleaned by rolling them in fresh snow.
Airing removes odors, including smoke, sweat, and any lingering car smells, allowing you to remake your bed with fresh-feeling sheets.
One of merino wool’s most impressive features is its ability to self-clean. Because of this, merino wool sheets do not need to be washed nearly as often as cotton sheets.
In fact, the hardest part of caring for merino wool bedding is letting go of the belief that sheets must be washed at 60°C (140°F). These do not—and should not—be washed that hot!
For our own use, we air out the duvet covers frequently and wash the pillowcases a bit more often. Even after two weeks, the sheets still feel fresh, with no unpleasant stickiness or mustiness—quite a statement, considering one of us has a very low tolerance for anything remotely unclean!
Washing Merino Wool
Should You Wash New Merino Wool Sheets Before Use?
Because merino sheets may have some static charge from the production process, we recommend giving them a light wash before their first use.
If a stain appears on your merino bedding, you don’t need to wash the entire sheet—simply spot clean it by hand with a pH-neutral wool detergent or gall soap. We personally like to use Ruukin Kehräämö’s wool detergent.
How to Wash Merino Wool
When washing merino wool sheets, leave enough space in the drum (about 1/3 of the machine should remain empty) and use a gentle wool detergent.
We use a laundry ball and only add a minimal amount of detergent unless the sheets have visible stains.
- Select the wool wash program on your machine (ours runs for about 35 minutes).
- Set the spin cycle to low (max 800 RPM). Spinning at high speeds increases friction, which can lead to pilling.
- Wash at 30°C (86°F). We have tested 40°C (104°F) and even 50°C (122°F) without major damage, but we don’t recommend going any hotter. If you accidentally select a hotter wash, don’t panic—your sheets will likely survive just fine!
Drying Merino Wool
Because IVAN’s merino sheets contain an organic cotton warp, they can be a bit heavy when wet. To avoid unnecessary stretching, we recommend flat drying them.
We’ve experimented with hanging pillowcases (and, to be honest, even fitted sheets and duvet covers) on a drying line, but officially, flat drying is the correct method. If you choose to hang-dry, you do so at your own risk!
Quick Merino Wool Washing Guide
Load the washing machine loosely
Wash at 30°C (86°F) on the wool cycle
Use a gentle spin cycle
Flat dry to prevent stretching
No ironing or mangling (wooden buttons can’t withstand heat)
Further questions? Feel free to reach out to us at contact@ivanvanlife.fi—we’re happy to help! 😊