Making the Shift from Synthetics to Wool Clothing

Are you looking to make a shift from synthetics to wool clothing?  

Natural fiber clothing was on my radar for several years.  I knew synthetic fabrics were bad for my skin, my body, my health, and the environment, but I felt overwhelmed by the alternatives.

Making the shift from synthetics to wool clothing

What pushed me over the edge to finally begin shifting my wardrobe from synthetics to wool clothing and other natural fibers?

In a word, my stinky workout clothes made me do it.  Okay, that’s more than one word, but you get the idea.  And maybe you can relate!

When I began working out in earnest over a year ago (learn more about my transformation here), I could no longer deny the stench that occurred in my (synthetic) workout clothes.

Even after washing said clothing, they stank.  

Here I am, wearing my non-stinky new workout clothes:

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HSP and stinky smells

A quick rabbit trail: Have you heard of HSP, or highly sensitive people?  I’m not sure if it’s an actual thing or not, but if it is, I is one. 

Here’s a quick crash course: if overhead lighting makes you crazy, you detest feeling sweaty/wet/hot in your clothes, or you are highly sensitive to smells and sounds, you might be HSP too.  

Anyhoo, you might say I find foul odors to be particularly distracting and, dare I say, distressing.  

Therefore, my malodorous workout clothing began to seriously affect my life.  

• Getting dressed to workout?  Ugh, these clothes stink.  
• Completing a workout session?  Ugh, these clothes stink.
• Starting a load of laundry?  Ugh, these clothes stink.
• Folding clean laundry that still stank? Ugh, these clothes still stink.

All of this stinky laundry, stinky clothing time was really adding up to a significant amount of my day.  All that time inhaling stinky smells and wondering about a solution.

Solutions for stinky workout clothes

Here is what I tried.  Granted, I still employ these solutions for my family’s laundry.  Some of them do help.

1. Essential oils: I already use essential oil-based laundry detergent, but I now add 3-5 drops of deodorizing oils in a bit of water to my washing machine’s compartment for liquid softener.  That way, the oils are added near the end of the cycle for extra lasting power.  Sometimes I also add a few drops of essential oil to my wool dryer balls.  I love this blend and also this one for this purpose.
2. Sunshine + fresh air: Hanging clean laundry to dry in the sunshine and fresh air does wonders for removing odors.  
3. Natural fibers: Making a shift from synthetics to wool clothing and other natural fibers is the only solution that truly worked for me.

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Benefits of wearing wool

By now, you’ve already guessed that wool clothing resists odors.  In addition, wool clothing is natural and nontoxic to the skin and body, while offering a host of compelling benefits such as breathability, moisture wicking properties, and reduced laundering needs.

Wool clothing is…

• Odor-resistant: Wool’s ability to absorb and disperse odor is truly amazing.  I can wear my wool for a sweaty workout session and simply hang it to dry and air out.  The next day, it smells completely fresh and ready for my next workout.  This goes on for days and days and even weeks.  
• Natural and nontoxic: Unlike synthetic materials, wool comes from a completely natural source and does not pollute the body or the environment.  Wool is one of the gentlest fabric options for your skin and body.
• Breathable: Have you ever felt like your skin was suffocating inside synthetic materials like polyester or rayon?  Not so with wool.  Instead, its natural fibers allow your skin to breathe.  Ahhh…
• Less frequently washed: Due to its odor-resistance and anti-microbial properties, wool clothing remains fresher for longer.  This translates into far fewer washings as compared with synthetics and even with cotton.
• Wrinkle-resistant:  Wool has a natural elasticity and draping quality that resists wrinkles, resulting in a more polished look with minimal effort.
• Moisture-wicking: I first discovered this remarkable quality of wool fabrics during my cloth diapering days.  Get this: wool can absorb up to 30% of its weight in water and not feel wet.  Not only does this make wool a fantastic, all-natural diaper cover, it also means that wool clothing wicks away moisture during workouts and other high intensity activities.
• Temperature regulating: There is a misconception about wool as a winter-only fabric due to its heat generating ability.  However, wool is more accurately a temperature regulator.  In warm conditions, wool releases excess moisture to keep the wearer cool and dry.
• Biodegradable:  100% wool clothing can completely biodegrade after about six months buried in soil.  
• Renewable: Wool is a naturally renewable fiber, making it one of the most sustainable clothing options.  Every year, sheep produce a wool fleece that must be sheared, giving us wool to use for textiles and clothing.
• Lightweight: Wool can be woven into heavy, coarse fabrics as well as lightweight, soft fabrics. Merino sheep produce a smaller, smoother fiber than traditional wool, making it an excellent choice for lightweight wool layers. 
• Comfortable: Those smaller, smoother fibers also make merino wool comfortable and non-itchy.
• Packable: Merino wool in particular, due to its small, smooth fibers, is lightweight and wrinkle resistant.  This makes it a great choice for travel!  Furthermore, wool’s ability to remain fresher longer allows for packing fewer items and therefore traveling lighter.

Here I am visiting Alaska with my family.  I absolutely lived in wool clothing for all our activities and excursions, wearing the same pieces over and over without washing.  Wool kept me warm, dry, and odor-free while also allowing me to pack fewer items for this 12-day trip.

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Does wool clothing itch?

Probably one of the top reactions I’ve encountered on the topic of wool clothing is “But wool is so itchy!”  

It’s true that some wool fabrics are heavy and itchy.  However, Merino wool in particular, due to its smaller, smoother fibers, is actually quite comfortable and non-itchy.  

Is wool clothing hot?

As mentioned above, wool often gets a bad rap for being overly warm, or good for wearing only in winter.  It’s more accurate to describe wool as a temperature regulator that insulates and warms during cold conditions and releases excess moisture to keep a body cool and dry during warm weather.

Is wool clothing expensive?

As wool’s popularity has increased and technology has advanced to allow greater accessibility, the price of wool clothing has decreased.  Wool clothing still requires a greater investment than cheap synthetics or non-organic cotton, but its natural durability and reduced need for laundering leads to increased longevity.

In other words, wool clothing can be a savvy investment.  Wool pieces will last longer and hold up better than many other fabric choices.

Where can I buy everyday merino wool clothing?

I have several top picks for sourcing merino wool clothing.  But THIS is my very favorite merino wool brand, especially for everyday and active wear.

In fact, you can use code ROOTS15 to get 15% off your order.

Items I’ve tried and loved:

• Bikini briefs
• Leggings with pockets
• Crew tank
• Active tank
• Pro-knit cowl
• Pro-knit zip hoodie

Items my husband and sons have tried and loved:

• Everyday boxer briefs
• Pro-knit joggers
• MerinoAire shorts

Have you made the shift from synthetics to wool clothing?

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