Sustainability // Superwash
As far as possible, I ship plastic-free and use, among other things, grass paper as packaging material.
Hand dyeing requires a lot of water. Here too, I try to work as resource-efficiently as possible and use water several times.
For me, sustainability also means making clothes myself. The value of a hand-knitted garment is priceless.
SUPER WASH
Superwash is a treatment of wool fibers that makes them more resistant to shrinkage and changes the ability to absorb dyes. In the 1980s, superwash treatment fell into disrepute because wastewater was not recycled in some countries. However, this has changed drastically as the EU has enforced very strict laws and all by-products must be removed from the water before it is discharged into the water systems.
The factory where we process our merino wool is EU Blume and OEKO-TEX 100 certified and operates a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant. This means the water is recycled and is better when discharged than the drinking water you get from the tap. We can only speak for our fibers, which does not mean that other superwash treatments use these procedures. We attach great importance to where our wool is superwashed. The owner has a PhD in the field and uses the most modern superwash techniques and is always looking for new ideas. is also constantly engaged in studies on the biodegradability of superwash yarns.
The factory where we process our merino wool is EU Blume and OEKO-TEX 100 certified and operates a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant. This means the water is recycled and is better when discharged than the drinking water you get from the tap. We can only speak for our fibers, which does not mean that other superwash treatments use these procedures. We attach great importance to where our wool is superwashed. The owner has a PhD in the field and uses the most modern superwash techniques and is always looking for new ideas. is also constantly engaged in studies on the biodegradability of superwash yarns.
How does the process work?
Please note that this only applies to our yarns, not other superwash fibers. First, the wool is treated with chlorine to dull the edges of the wool's scales, which reduces the ability of the scales to stick together and therefore reduces matting.
Second, a resin is applied that forms a microscopic, mesh-like structure that is permanently bonded to the wool; This smoothes the scales, improves the handle and prevents matting while maintaining dyeability. Recent studies have shown that the type of superwash wool we use biodegrades very quickly in composting and in the marine environment. The good thing about the resin we use for our wool is that it is a relatively weak structure (unlike other resins used in other types of shrink-proof treatments which do not break down), which means that it is a great option as it has been shown in studies to break down very quickly and leaves no residue. The other shrink-resistant treatments also affect the dyeability of the wool, which is why they are not suitable for our yarns.
Overall, we like superwash yarns because they improve the longevity of the yarns and make them more accessible to people who are unable to wash their hands regularly.
Second, a resin is applied that forms a microscopic, mesh-like structure that is permanently bonded to the wool; This smoothes the scales, improves the handle and prevents matting while maintaining dyeability. Recent studies have shown that the type of superwash wool we use biodegrades very quickly in composting and in the marine environment. The good thing about the resin we use for our wool is that it is a relatively weak structure (unlike other resins used in other types of shrink-proof treatments which do not break down), which means that it is a great option as it has been shown in studies to break down very quickly and leaves no residue. The other shrink-resistant treatments also affect the dyeability of the wool, which is why they are not suitable for our yarns.
Overall, we like superwash yarns because they improve the longevity of the yarns and make them more accessible to people who are unable to wash their hands regularly.
* * *
As far as possible, I ship plastic-free and use, for example, grass paper as packaging material.
A lot of water is needed for hand dyeing. Here, too, I try to work as resource-efficiently as possible and use water several times.
For me, sustainability also means making clothes myself. The value of a hand-knitted item of clothing is priceless.
A lot of water is needed for hand dyeing. Here, too, I try to work as resource-efficiently as possible and use water several times.
For me, sustainability also means making clothes myself. The value of a hand-knitted item of clothing is priceless.
Superwash is a treatment of wool fibers that makes them more resistant to shrinkage and changes the absorption capacity of dyes. In the 1980s, the superwash treatment fell into disrepute because the waste water was not recycled in some countries. However, this has changed dramatically as the EU has enforced very strict laws and all by-products must be removed from the water before it is discharged into the water systems.
The factory where we have our merino wool processed is EU Flower and OEKO-TEX 100 certified and operates a state of the art waste water treatment plant. This means that the water is recycled and when discharged is better than the drinking water you get from the tap. We can only speak for our fibers, which does not mean that other Superwash treatments use these processes. We place great importance on where our wool is superwash treated. The owner has a PhD in this field and uses the most modern superwash techniques and is always looking for new ideas. is also constantly involved in studies on the biodegradability of superwash yarns.
How does the process work?
Please note that this only applies to our yarns and not to other superwash fibers. Firstly, the wool is treated with chlorine to blunt the edges of the wool's scales, which reduces the ability of the scales to stick together and therefore reduces felting.
The factory where we have our merino wool processed is EU Flower and OEKO-TEX 100 certified and operates a state of the art waste water treatment plant. This means that the water is recycled and when discharged is better than the drinking water you get from the tap. We can only speak for our fibers, which does not mean that other Superwash treatments use these processes. We place great importance on where our wool is superwash treated. The owner has a PhD in this field and uses the most modern superwash techniques and is always looking for new ideas. is also constantly involved in studies on the biodegradability of superwash yarns.
How does the process work?
Please note that this only applies to our yarns and not to other superwash fibers. Firstly, the wool is treated with chlorine to blunt the edges of the wool's scales, which reduces the ability of the scales to stick together and therefore reduces felting.
