Superwash vs. Untreated Wool
, by Maike Bouwman , 2 min reading time
Wool is a fantastic material for clothing, especially for babies and children, thanks to its insulating properties and soft texture. Wool has just one major drawback: it shrinks and felts when washed. But that's where superwash wool comes in! Or maybe not...
How does wool work?
A wool fiber is similar to a human hair; it's a hollow fiber with scales. The hollow fiber absorbs body heat, and the scales regulate temperature by opening in warm weather and closing in cold weather. This means wool provides warmth in winter and cooling in summer. The scales allow wool to breathe and wick away excess moisture (sweat). Wool also naturally contains lanolin, a fatty layer that is water-repellent, dirt-repellent, and antibacterial. Lanolin keeps the wool fiber supple and prevents it from drying out. Lanolin protects sheep from the elements and keeps their skin supple and healthy. Lanolin is also often used for skin conditions such as cracks and diaper rash. What is superwash wool? Superwash wool is wool that has undergone a chemical process in which the wool is washed with chlorine. This is done to break down the scales on the wool fibers. (Yes... the same scales we attributed such good properties to above.) A superwash treatment makes the wool less breathable and less insulating. A layer of synthetic resin is also applied to the wool fibers.
Why Superwash wool then?
That all sounds a bit unsettling, you might say. However, superwash wool also has advantages. The layer of synthetic resin ensures that the wool isn't greasy like untreated wool. And now that the scales are gone, the wool no longer shrinks. So it can be thrown in the washing machine with your regular laundry and doesn't require any extra care. Nowadays, there are also natural processes for superwashing wool, which is certainly much better. Unfortunately, this still compromises the wool's beneficial properties.
Superwash wool or not?
We're not keen on Superwash wool. We choose wool specifically for its excellent properties, and we're not going to compromise on that. While untreated wool does require a little extra attention when washing, we don't really see a problem with that. Washing is much less frequent, and a quick rinse is often sufficient. Simply collect a load of wool and put it in the washing machine on the wool setting. Then simply air it out.
How do I know if the wool has been treated with Superwash?
This isn't usually mentioned online. I even found that my products didn't state/indicate that the wool wasn't treated with Superwash. I actually thought that if such a treatment was used, it would be mentioned, but it wasn't. If it's not explicitly stated, contact the manufacturer. You can also find out on Google which manufacturers use Superwash wool and which don't.
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