Caring for Merino Wool Knits: Washing, Drying & Storage

Caring for merino wool knits doesn’t need to be complicated. After spending hours choosing your yarn, working through a pattern, and creating something beautiful, the last thing you want is to accidentally shrink, felt, or stretch your finished project while washing it.

Merino wool is a lovely fibre for hand-knit accessories and garments. It’s soft, comfortable to wear, and naturally resilient, making it a favourite among knitters who enjoy creating pieces they’ll reach for again and again.

The good news is that a little thoughtful care can help your merino knits stay in good condition for years to come. You don’t need an elaborate routine or a cupboard full of special products. You simply need to understand how your particular yarn behaves and know what to do when your knitting needs a little attention.

Let’s look at how to wash, dry, maintain, and store your hand-knit merino wool projects.

1. Give Your Merino Knits a Little Care Between Wears

One of the easiest ways to care for merino wool is to avoid washing it unnecessarily.

Wool can naturally resist odours, so a knitted item doesn’t always need a wash after every wear. Often, simply allowing it to air out is enough to freshen it up.

After wearing a merino wool sweater, cowl, or shawl, lay it flat in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Give the fabric time to air out before folding it away.

A few other simple habits can help keep your knitting in good condition:

• Keep your hands clean while knitting. This helps reduce the transfer of oils and dirt to your yarn.
• Use a project bag. Protect your work from dust, spills, and accidental snags while it’s in progress.
• Be mindful of jewellery. Rings, bracelets, and sharp edges can catch delicate yarn and knitted stitches.
• Rotate your accessories. Wearing the same item every day can lead to more friction and wear in high-use areas.
• Address small issues early. A loose thread or a small stain is easier to deal with before it becomes a bigger problem.

These habits are particularly useful for pieces made with delicate merino yarn or intricate stitch patterns.

And remember, preventative care isn’t about keeping your knitting pristine at all times. These are handmade items meant to be worn and enjoyed!

2. Check Your Yarn’s Care Instructions Before Washing

Before you put your merino wool knitting into water, take a moment to check the yarn label or the manufacturer’s care instructions.

This is important because not all merino yarns can be washed in the same way.

Some merino yarns are untreated, while others have been treated to improve their washability. Yarn blends can also behave differently depending on the other fibres they contain.

For example, superwash merino is processed to make it more resistant to felting, but that doesn’t automatically mean every superwash yarn is suitable for every washing machine cycle.

Your finished fabric matters, too. A delicate lace shawl, a tightly knitted pair of socks, and a textured cowl may have different care needs, even if they’re made from the same fibre.

Before washing, check:

• Whether the yarn is suitable for hand washing, machine washing, or both.
• What water temperature is recommended.
• Which detergents or cleaning products are appropriate.
• Whether the item needs rinsing after washing.
• Whether the finished fabric needs any special handling.

If you’re unsure, hand washing gently is often a sensible starting point for a hand-knit merino item, provided the yarn’s care instructions allow it.

If you’re choosing yarn for a future project, take a look at Ancient Arts Yarns’ merino collection. As always, check the fibre content and care instructions for the specific yarn you choose.

3. How to Hand-Wash Merino Wool Knits

Hand washing is a useful way to care for many hand-knit merino projects, especially when you want to handle the fabric gently.

Here’s a straightforward approach.


Gather your supplies
You’ll need a clean basin or sink, a suitable mild wool detergent, and a clean towel for removing excess water.

Choose a detergent intended for wool and follow its instructions. Some wool washes are designed to be rinsed out, while others are no-rinse products. You don’t want to add an unnecessary rinsing step if the product specifically instructs you not to.


Fill the basin with suitable water
Use the water temperature recommended for your yarn and detergent. For many hand-wash wool items, cool or lukewarm water is appropriate.

If you’re washing several items, take care with contrasting colours. Dark and light yarns can release dye, so it’s best to wash items separately when colour bleeding is a concern.


Gently submerge your knitting
Lower the item into the water and allow the fabric to become thoroughly wet.

Gently press it beneath the surface if needed, but avoid scrubbing, rubbing, or repeatedly squeezing the fabric. These actions can distort the stitches and may contribute to felting.

Let it soak for the length of time recommended by your detergent, if a soaking period is specified.


Rinse when required
If your chosen detergent requires rinsing, follow its directions and use water at an appropriate temperature for your yarn.

Avoid unnecessary temperature changes and agitation. There’s no need to give your knitting a vigorous wash to get it clean.


Lift it out carefully
Once washing is complete, support the entire item as you lift it from the basin. Wet wool can become heavy, and allowing it to hang from one edge may stretch or distort the fabric.

Gently press out excess water without twisting or wringing the knitting.

Your merino project is now ready for drying.

4. Dry Your Merino Knits Flat

Drying deserves just as much attention as washing.

When knitted fabric is wet, it can stretch under its own weight. Hanging a wet merino sweater, cowl, or shawl can leave it longer or more distorted than it was before washing.

Instead, start by removing as much excess water as you can without putting unnecessary strain on the fabric.

Spread a clean towel on a flat surface and lay your knitting on top. Roll the towel and garment together, then gently press to help the towel absorb moisture. Unroll the bundle and check the fabric.

Next, lay the item flat on a clean, dry towel or suitable drying surface. Smooth it into its intended shape, making any small adjustments needed to restore the original proportions.

Keep it away from direct heat and strong sunlight, which can damage fibres or affect the colour. Allow it to dry naturally, with enough ventilation for moisture to escape.

If your shawl or another project needs more deliberate shaping, you may want to pin it out while it’s damp. My guide to wet blocking a hand-knit shawl walks through that process in more detail.

Patience is the key here. Wait until your knitting is completely dry before folding it or putting it away.

5. What About Pilling?

If you’ve noticed little fuzzy balls appearing on your merino knits, don’t panic. Pilling is a common form of wear in knitted fabrics.

Pills form when loose fibres become tangled together on the surface of the fabric. Friction can contribute to their formation, which is why you may notice more pilling around the underarms of a sweater, beneath a bag strap, or in other areas that experience regular rubbing.

The amount of pilling varies with the yarn, the construction of the fabric, and how the item is worn and cared for.

If you’d like to remove the pills, you can use a wool comb or a fabric shaver suitable for knitted garments.

Work gently and test the tool on a small, inconspicuous area first. Avoid pressing too hard, making repeated passes over the same spot, or removing so much surface fibre that you weaken the fabric.

You don’t need to remove every tiny bit of fuzz, either. A knitted item will naturally show some signs of wear over time, and that doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong.

The goal is to maintain the fabric, not to make it look as though it has never been worn.

6. Deal With Stains and Odours Gently

Accidents happen. A little tea, a food spill, or an unexpected mark can find its way onto even your favourite handmade items.

When that happens, avoid rubbing the affected area vigorously. Rubbing can distort the stitches and may push a stain further into the fibres.

Instead, gently blot the area with a clean cloth and follow the care instructions for your yarn. If you need a cleaning product, choose one suitable for wool and test it on an inconspicuous area when appropriate.

Avoid experimenting with strong household cleaners, bleach, or untested stain-removal remedies on your hand-knits.

If a stain is persistent, or the item is especially delicate or valuable, professional cleaning may be the safest option.


What if your merino knit smells less than fresh?
Before reaching for a cleaning product, try airing the item out.

Lay it flat in a well-ventilated space away from direct sunlight. Wool’s natural odour resistance means that fresh air may be all that’s needed between wears.

If the smell persists, washing according to the yarn’s care instructions may help. Make sure the item is completely dry before storing it.

7. Store Your Merino Knits Properly

Once your merino projects are clean and dry, thoughtful storage can help protect them until you’re ready to wear them again.


Fold rather than hang
For most hand-knit garments and accessories, folding is preferable to hanging. The weight of knitted fabric can cause it to stretch over time, particularly if the item is heavy or loosely constructed.

Fold your sweaters, cowls, and other accessories neatly and store them on a clean shelf or in a drawer.


Protect against clothes moths
Clothes moths can damage wool and other animal fibres. Cleanliness and suitable storage are important parts of protecting your handmade pieces.

Before packing your knits away for a longer period, make sure they’re clean and completely dry. Food residue, body oils, and other organic material can attract pests.

Consider storing seasonal knits in a clean, well-sealed container or garment-storage bag that provides a barrier against insects. Inspect stored items occasionally, particularly if you have previously had problems with moths.

Cedar or lavender sachets can be pleasant additions to a storage space, but don’t rely on them alone to protect your knitting from moths.


Keep your storage space suitable
Choose a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and damp conditions. Avoid squeezing your knitted items so tightly into a drawer or box that they’re difficult to remove without snagging.

Taking a little care when putting projects away makes it easier to enjoy them again when the weather changes or you need your favourite accessory.

Troubleshooting Common Merino Wool Problems

Even when you’re careful, things don’t always go according to plan. Here’s what to keep in mind if your merino knitting develops a problem.


My merino wool has shrunk. Can I fix it?
The outcome depends on what happened to the fabric.

If your knitted item has simply become misshapen, gentle rewetting and reshaping may help restore some of its original dimensions, provided the yarn’s care instructions allow it.

If the fibres have felted, however, the change is much more difficult to reverse. Felting causes fibres to interlock, and there isn’t a reliable method of restoring severely felted wool to its original state.

You may come across suggestions to use hair conditioner to reverse shrinkage. While soaking and gentle handling may allow some fabrics to relax, conditioner isn’t a reliable way to undo felting or guarantee that a shrunken item will return to its original size.

If your item is important to you, avoid applying more heat or agitation and assess the fabric carefully before attempting further treatment.


My merino knit has felted. What should I do?
Unfortunately, felted wool generally cannot be returned to its original condition.

Depending on the extent of the damage, you may be able to use the item for another purpose, but don’t expect stretching or another wash to restore the original stitch definition.

The best approach is prevention: follow the yarn’s care instructions, use suitable detergents, and avoid excessive heat and agitation.


My merino wool is pilling. Does that mean the yarn is poor quality?
Not necessarily. Pilling can occur in many knitted fabrics as loose fibres work their way to the surface and tangle together.

Yarn construction, fibre characteristics, friction, and wear all influence how much pilling you see. Gentle maintenance can help, but some pilling is simply part of using a knitted item.


My merino knit has lost its shape. Should I block it again?
If the yarn’s care instructions allow it, gentle washing followed by careful reshaping may help a misshapen item.

Lay the knitting flat, smooth it into the desired dimensions, and allow it to dry completely. Use pins if appropriate for the fabric and pattern.

For more intricate projects, take a look at my guide to wet blocking a hand-knit shawl.

Frequently Asked Questions About Caring for Merino Wool

How often should I wash merino wool knits?
There isn’t one schedule that suits every item. Merino wool can naturally resist odours, so airing out your knitting between wears may be sufficient. Wash when an item needs cleaning, following the instructions for the specific yarn and finished fabric.


Can I put merino wool in the washing machine?
Some merino yarns are suitable for machine washing, but others aren’t. Always follow the yarn manufacturer’s care instructions rather than assuming that all merino or superwash merino can be washed in the same way. If machine washing is permitted, use the recommended cycle and detergent.


Should I use regular laundry detergent on merino wool?
Choose a mild detergent that’s suitable for wool. Avoid harsh detergents, bleach, and products that aren’t recommended for the fibre. Follow the detergent’s instructions, including whether the item needs rinsing.


Can I put merino wool in the dryer?
Only do so if the care instructions for your yarn and finished item explicitly permit tumble drying. Otherwise, flat drying is the safer choice for most hand-knit merino garments and accessories because it helps minimise stretching and distortion.


Can I use steam to refresh merino wool?
Steam introduces heat and moisture, so it’s important to check the yarn’s care instructions and use an appropriate method. Don’t assume that every merino fabric can safely be steamed. For a simple refresh between wears, airing the item out is often a good first step.

Give Your Hand-Knits the Care They Deserve

You’ve put time, effort, and creativity into your merino wool projects. Caring for them doesn’t need to become another complicated part of your knitting routine.

By washing them only when needed, handling wet fabric gently, drying items flat, and storing them carefully, you can help your handmade garments and accessories stay in good condition.

And remember, the care instructions for your particular yarn always come first. A little time spent checking the label is much easier than trying to repair a damaged project later.

If you’d like to learn more about the fibre itself, have a look at my article on why merino wool is a sustainable choice for knitters. It’s a useful companion to this care guide and explores some of the reasons knitters enjoy working with merino.

Happy knitting!