Caring for Your Merino Knit Jacket and Coat
By Untouched World: Fine Merino Sustainable Fashion | Published: 2026-10-19
Category: Tips & Care
Learn how to properly care for your merino knit jacket or coat, including washing, drying, and preventing pilling, to keep it looking great for years.
Quick answer
Wash your merino knit jacket or coat by hand in cool water with a gentle wool wash, reshape while damp, and dry flat away from heat. This routine prevents shrinkage, pilling, and loss of shape.
Why merino needs special care
Merino wool fibers are finer and more delicate than standard wool, which is why they feel so soft against the skin. But that same fineness means they are more prone to felting, shrinkage, and pilling if handled roughly or exposed to heat. A knit jacket or coat also has more structure and weight than a base layer, so proper drying and reshaping are extra important to maintain its fit.
The real trade-off: convenience vs. longevity
Machine washing on a gentle cycle is faster than hand washing, but it increases the risk of matting and pilling, especially for a knit jacket with a looser weave or longer fibers. If you choose to machine wash, use a mesh bag, a cold delicate cycle, and a low-spin setting—and accept that the garment may not last as long as one that is hand washed every time.
Diagnosing and fixing common merino jacket issues
- Symptom: Pilling on sleeves or body: Likely cause: Friction from daily wear, especially under backpack straps or against a seatbelt. Corrective action: Gently remove pills with a fabric shaver or a fine-tooth sweater comb after washing. Do not pull pills off by hand—it can damage the fiber. Pilling is normal for high-quality merino; treat it early to keep the surface smooth.
- Symptom: Shrunken or felted jacket: Likely cause: Washing in hot water, high heat drying, or agitation in a machine. Corrective action: Soak the jacket in lukewarm water with a hair conditioner or wool-specific relaxant for 30 minutes, gently stretch it back to shape while wet, and lay flat to dry. This may restore some length but cannot reverse full felting. If the jacket is already heavily felted, accept the size change or repurpose it—there is no full fix.
- Symptom: Loss of shape or stretched collar: Likely cause: Hanging the jacket when wet or storing it on a hanger that is too wide. Corrective action: Always dry the jacket flat on a towel. For storage, fold it or use a padded hanger with rounded ends to avoid stretching the shoulders and collar. Merino knit jackets are heavy; improper storage is the top cause of permanent distortion.
Product facts
- Oakley Jacket - Forest: The Oakley Jacket is made from 100% ZQ+ certified Merino, sourced from Glenthorne Station. ZQ+ certification ensures the wool meets high standards for animal welfare, environmental practices, and fiber quality, so your jacket is built to last with proper care.
Oakley Jacket - Forest
