Is Merino Wool Itchy?

Merino wool is famous for offering warmth and comfort without the classic itchy feeling that traditional wool has. This miraculous natural fibre from the hardy New Zealand Merino sheep breed is a popular choice for clothing and textiles precisely because it’s lightweight, insulating and incredibly soft, meaning it won’t itch your skin like coarser materials might.

But is merino wool itchy to anyone, and why is wool itchy when it comes from other traditional sheep varieties? The answers lie in merino’s exceptionally fine structure. Its fibres are much thinner and smoother than traditional wool varieties, so it is much less likely to scratch or irritate skin like thicker, traditional wool can. Instead, merino is gentle, soft and highly versatile, making it ideal for everything from next-to-skin base layers to protective outerwear, for wearing in both warm or cold climates.

Why Is wool itchy and Is merino wool different?

Some people find that coarse, traditionally thick woollen clothing materials can itch or irritate their skin; particularly if they have sensitive skin or if their skin touches the fabric without a base layer underneath. But merino wool is different. A merino fibre’s diameter is around half as thick as other sheeps’ wool, and significantly thinner than a human hair. These delicate, fine layers are made up of smoother strands, which avoids the prickly or irritating sensation that other wools can have.

Merino wool fibres also have a natural wave to them, which - as well as offering excellent insulation properties - also effectively weave together to provide more elasticity to the material, which can stretch and bend to fit the contours of your body without the risk of rough fibres poking out and causing irritation or itchiness for the wearer. This is why a merino wool itchy episode is extremely unlikely for most people.

Fabric construction

An ideal solution to how to make wool less itchy is to use ultra-fine merino fibres, which have a smoother surface, and to manufacture clothing fabrics in a particular way to encourage the strands to lie flat. The structure of wool fabric can affect its feeling of itchiness, and knitting the wool fibres together, rather than weaving them, can result in not only a softer, more comfortable and more lightweight feeling material but one which offers better thermo-regulation and overall performance outdoors.

This is why fine merino wool is a sought-after material for moisture-managing activewear, as well as for ultra-comfortable base layers. When selecting only smooth, premium quality and fine natural merino wool, the delicate fibres are designed to not prickle your skin like traditional wool can, as they’ll simply bend when they come into direct contact with your skin. This even makes merino wool soft enough for delicate skin and children’s clothing.

What does Merino wool feel like?

Merino wool can feel exceptionally comfortable against your skin. Its smooth surface is made up of smaller, finer fibres than traditional wool is, which flex when they touch your skin to avoid a ‘prickly’ feeling. If you’re wondering: why is wool itchy? The answer is down to traditional wool having thicker, more rigid fibres which can sometimes irritate your skin’s surface. Merino wool is exceptionally smooth, thanks to its ultra fine structure, making it more suitable for sensitive skin and those who find traditional wool uncomfortable.

Some people compare merino wool to cashmere, thanks to its exceptionally soft and fine fibres. High quality merino wool is luxurious and long-lasting, offering a more sustainable solution than man-made fibres to all sorts of clothing requirements. However, cashmere isn’t as versatile, durable, or easy to care for as merino, and doesn’t have the same benefit of being able to be worn all year round and in all climates.

How do you stop wool from being itchy?

If you’d like to know how to make wool less itchy, it’s a case of choosing the right material and looking after your clothing in the right way. Firstly, choose a fine knit made using a high grade merino wool fibre. Traditional wool may have coarse strands poking out, which can irritate skin, so opt for soft, cosy items of clothing that will sit smoothly against your skin.

Once you’ve chosen your new items, it’s vital to look after them to preserve their softness and keep them looking their best for longer. New merino wool items will feel even softer after being washed. Following the garment’s care label, most icebreaker merino wool clothing can be put in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. Using fabric conditioner can help traditional wool to feel smoother, but this isn’t needed for naturally soft merino materials. Some people like to put their merino wool items in a cotton bag to protect them and help to maintain their shape, whilst others like to hand wash wool items in cool water and leave them to dry naturally. You could also use a wool-friendly detergent, such as a wool or cashmere washing formula, for ultimate softness.

It goes without saying that well looked-after sheep, who enjoy a healthy diet and exceptional care, produce better wool. This is why icebreaker works directly with growers to support these amazing animals, who provide us with top quality and exceptionally soft natural merino wool.

How to keep your merino soft

Once you’ve invested in your smooth and luxurious icebreaker items, you'll want to keep them in top condition wear after wear. Compared to other natural fibres, such as cashmere or traditional wool, merino is considered extremely durable. This means your icebreaker merino wool items don’t usually need to be hand washed or dry cleaned. As long as you follow the instructions on the care label, you’ll be able to put most icebreaker merino clothes in the washing machine, and simply wash them inside out on a gentle (cold) cycle with a slow spin to keep them soft and looking their best.

We recommend using a mild, bleach-free detergent and skipping the fabric softener, as this can weaken the merino’s performance. Air dry your clothing whilst flat, in a shaded area, and avoid putting your merino items in the tumble dryer to prevent shrinkage and to help the fibres lie flat for ultimate softness. Read our special guide on washing merino wool for more top tips.

Conclusion

Is merino wool itchy? The answer is that its ultra-fine fibres, smooth surface and natural, flexible crimp structure means that, unlike traditional wool, it feels softer and much more comfortable against your skin. It’s designed to bend and flex, rather than poke and irritate your skin when it's being worn. Plus, its breathable, moisture-managing and thermo-regulating properties plus easy-care design makes it the ideal solution for all the family’s clothing. By choosing a fine merino wool material, and looking after your fabric, not only will you discover how to make wool less itchy for sensitive skin, but you’ll be able to enjoy durable, sustainable and long-lasting separates for many years to come. Browse the

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Is merino wool itchy - FAQ

Can merino wool make you itch?

If you’re wondering: is merino wool itchy? The answer is no - its fine, smooth fibres are far less irritating than traditional wool, offering comfort against the skin, making it a more suitable clothing option for those with sensitive skin. Most merino wool clothing will usually feel even softer after washing.

Does merino wool get softer with washing?

Fine grades of merino wool are designed to feel soft and gentle against your skin, but many people find they become even softer after washing. Always follow the washing instructions on the label to help your items last longer, and keep your clothing as soft and itch-free as can be.

Which is itchier merino or cashmere?

Premium quality merino wool and cashmere both have fine, itch-free fibres which are knitted together to create ultra-soft clothing for all the family. Both merino wool and cashmere offer superior softness compared to traditional wool, which some people find can be itchy or rough against their skin.

Should you wear something under merino wool?

One of the many benefits of merino wool is that it’s ideal as a base layer, or even as a material of choice for comfy, moisture-managing underwear. It is so soft, lightweight, breathable and comfortable against your skin that you do not need to wear anything underneath it.

Does merino wool cause allergies?

Wool is not considered a common allergen, and most people find the ‘itch’ associated with traditional wool is caused by coarse, loose fibres irritating their skin. Merino wool is different: its finer fibres, breathability and natural crimp structure means most people find it won’t itch or irritate your skin.