What is Ethically Sourced Wool? | MERIWOOL (2024)

Where does merino wool come from?

Hailed as a “miracle fabric” in the 12th century in Spain, merino wool played a huge role in keeping people warm. As most only had a few garments to wear, this material was loved for its strength and comfort. It was so revered that exporting merino wool outside of Spain was punishable by death! In 1788, several dozen merino sheep were transported to Australia after the Napoleanic Wars and soon grew to over 2 million by 1830. Around this time, merino wool was used to craft clothing regularly.

WHY MERINO WOOL?

Unlike other types of wool that can be bulky or itchy, merino wool is one of the softest and warmest materials around. It features natural odor-resistant and fire-resistant properties and is adaptive, meaning it helps to regulate your body temperature so you’re never too hot or cold. Merino wool wicks away moisture and absorbs sweat with ease, allowing your outdoor adventures to be incredibly comfortable. It’s also a renewable and biodegradable material and creates very little pollution. Learn more HERE

Why merino wool certifications?

A merino wool certification isn’t required in our industry, but at Meriwool we hold ourselves to the highest standards possible. Our certifications offer total transparency and show that we’re committed to using materials sourced in cruelty-free ways. It’s our goal to create high-quality products that support the environment and ensure that the sheep creating the yarn we use are living healthy lives. When you shop for wool garments, it’s advised that you look for the following certifications.

Woolmark

Since 1964, the Woolmark certification logo has been applied to more than five billion products. Woolmark tests material to ensure it’s of the highest quality possible and examines a garment’s ingredients, color, and laundry durability.Items with the Woolmark logo offer assurance to both manufacturers and customers alike, demonstrating that the material is authentic, durable, and functional. When you purchase garments from Meriwool, you can rest assured they are all certified by Woolmark.

OEKO-TEX

Your health is important to us so we’ve tested every Meriwool item against the criteria set forth by OEKO-TEX®. Whether your new purchase includes buttons,zippers, elastic, or is a simple merino wool beanie, you can feel confident that every facet of the item has been tested for harmful substances and will not jeopardize your health or safety. Garments that pass this inspection are given the STANDARD 100 label and are reevaluated annually to comply with updated requirements.

How do the sheep get treated?

Meriwool sources wool exclusively from Australia and New Zealand, two countries that pride themselves on the humane treatment of sheep. Both countries enforce strict standards for raising sheep as well as how the wool is harvested and are committed to no mulesing, a practice that’s painful and dangerous for sheep.It’s our promise to our customers that we only use ethically sourced wool from sheep who are treated with care and do not support farmers who engage in mulesing.

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