Wear More, Wash Less: How to Extend the Life of Your Merino

Our Merino wool products are built to go the distance — and you don’t need to wash them every time you wear them. In fact, the less you wash, the better they perform (and the longer they last).

This quick guide will show you:

• How often to wash (spoiler: not much)
• What to do between wears to keep it fresh
• The right way to wash when needed
• How to make your Merino last for years

Let’s get into it.

1. Don’t wash after every wear — seriously

This might feel weird at first, but Merino doesn’t hold on to odour the way cotton or synthetics do. So unless your shirt is visibly dirty or actually smells, you can (and should!) keep wearing it.

How long can you go?
For everyday wear, 5 to 10 wears is normal. Some members of our flock wear our tops for 30+ days straight! Read their stories here.

2. Between wears? Just air it out

The best thing you can do between wears is let your garment breathe. Here’s how:

• Hang it somewhere with airflow (a door hook, coat rack, chair back — whatever works)
• Avoid damp or cramped spots like laundry baskets
• If it’s sunny and dry, let it sit outside for a bit (not too long in direct sun)

Most of the time, airing out overnight is all it needs to be ready again.

3. Spot clean instead of full washes

Got a little sweat under the arms? A splash of coffee on your sleeve? No need for a full machine cycle. Just use a damp cloth and gently blot the area (no scrubbing), then let it air dry flat.

Spot-cleaning buys you more time between washes and keeps the fabric in great shape.

4. When you do need to wash it, do it right

Merino’s generally tough, but it deserves a little care when it hits the laundry. The wrong wash can shrink or wear it out faster.

Check out our Merino care guide for detailed care instructions.

5. Extra tips

These bonus tips can help your Merino last longer:

• Rotate a few base layers instead of wearing one nonstop
• Shower before wearing (keeps it cleaner longer)
• Avoid backpacks with rough straps rubbing against the fabric

What about odour?

If you’re airing it out and spot-cleaning, your Merino should stay odour-free for ages. But if something’s off, give it a proper wash and let it fully dry before the next wear.

If your (100%) Merino doesn’t live up to the no-smell hype, check out our Smell-Free Guarantee — wear it for days or your money back.

To summarise...

Wear more. Wash less. Keep it fresh.

You don’t need a pile of clothes when your Merino does it all — and lasts longer doing it. Just remember:

• Air it out daily
• Spot-clean small messes
• Wash only when needed
• Store it smart
• And treat it right

Your Merino (and the planet) will thank you.