Superwash Info
Our Superwash Merino comes from South America and is superwash treated in Europe to the highest Oeko-Tex standard.
What does Superwash mean?
Superwash is a treatment applied to wool fibres that makes them more resistant to shrinking and changes the dye absorbability.
The mill where we get our merino processed is accredited with the EU Flower and OEKO-TEX 100 and runs a state-of-the-art effluent treatment plant. This now means that the water is recycled and when it is discharged it is better than the drinking water you get from the tap.
So... what does the process involve? Firstly the wool is treated in chlorine to dull the edges of the scales of the wool, this reduces the ability of the scales to stick to each other and therefore reduces felting.
Secondly, a resin is applied and creates a microscopic web-like structure permanently bonded to the wool, this smooths the scales, improving the handle and preventing felting whilst maintaining the dyeability. Recent studies have shown that the type of superwash wool we use, biodegrades very quickly in composting and marine environments, the good thing about the resin used on our wools is that it is a fairly weak structure, which means it is a great option because it has shown in studies to break down very quickly leaving no residues.
On balance we like superwash yarns because they improve the longevity of the yarns and make them more accessible to people where hand washing would not be feasible regularly.