our fabric

Why doesn't it itch or scratch like traditional wool?

mokopuna merino™ is made from keratin, the same as our skin, which is one of the reasons it is so great against a baby's young body.

One of the key differences between mokopuna merino™ and normal wool is the diameter of the fibre. Because it's a finer fibre, it's silky soft against the skin, so it doesn't itch or scratch.

Incredibly, a mokopuna merino™ fibre is a third of the size of a human hair.

Why won't it smell?

Odour is produced as a by-product of the growth of bacteria on the fabric surface and from some of the minor components of sweat. This latter factor varies between individuals.

mokopuna merino™ is naturally tuned to preventing this process. Its scaly surface, coupled with the lanolin in the fibre, prevents bacteria from settling and growing.

How do I wash it?

Because mokopuna merino™ is so resilient it can be machine washed. Just pop it in the machine on a gentle wool cycle with a wool approved detergent.

What about fabric softener and bleach?

mokopuna merino™ is a natural product and shouldn't be subjected to chemical cleaners. Bleach, fabric softener and nappy bleach type products will rot the fabric. Besides, it doesn't need them! As the fabric is anti microbial (anti bacterial) it's naturally self cleansing. And being such a fine fibre, it's incredibly soft. Use white vinegar on stains.

How quickly will it dry?

Well – not as quickly as synthetics, it's true. But it'll dry a lot quicker than traditional wool. mokopuna merino™ is particularly adept at desorption through evaporation.

Again, because it is so resilient and durable it can also be tumble dried on low.

Will moths eat mokopuna?

Sadly, yes!

Moths are a fact of life, but you can protect your mokopuna garments by simply storing them in drawers.

Can I put it in the dryer?

Yes! Tumble dry it on low.

Why is mokopuna merino™ considered 'safe'?

All fabrics will burn given the right conditions; however they differ with respect to key characteristics: ease of ignition, and speed of burning.

Synthetics are made of petrochemical based plastic so light easily and melt when\ burning, tending to adhere to the skin.

Cotton is cellulose based, like wood and paper, and tends to ignite and burn in the same way.

mokopuna merino™, on the other hand, is naturally fire retardant. When exposed to a naked flame or severe heat it will, of its own accord, snuff out the burn. The mokopuna merino™ fabric has undergone rigorous fire safety testing and we greatly exceed the fire safety requirements for BS 5722 – in fact in one test, our fabric was three times safer than it was required to be. Our garments are labelled Low Fire Danger and Low Flammability to BS 5722. We also exceed Standard: AS/ NZS 1249:2003 Children's nightwear and limited daywear having reduced fire hazard.

One of the most amazing features of the mokopuna merino™ fibre is that when it takes on moisture, it uses it to generate warmth. Conversely, synthetics lose heat when wet.

On top of all that, mokopuna merino™ is UV resistant, and will never overheat (see Temperature Regulation). mokopuna merino™ has been tested for UPF (ultraviolet protection factor). All mokopuna fabrics have a UPF rating between 20 (good) for our stripe and 40 (excellent) for our lily (lightest plain coloured) fabric. A UPF rating of 20 means that the amount of solar ultraviolet radiation exposure to the skin beneath the garment is reduced by a factor of 20.