Why mulesing-free merino wool is more sustainable?

Why mulesing-free merino wool is more sustainable?

Merino wool is the worlds most versatile and sustainable sportswear material

Merino wool is known to be the favorite material of many outdoor enthusiasts. It's the perfect fabric for varying outdoor conditions when you need to stay warm in a cold climate or stay cool in a warm climate. The wool also absorbs moisture without feeling wet or cold.

Wool outperforms any other fabrics when it comes to moisture-wicking, warmth, anti tickle, and odor-fighting capabilities. Merino wool is known for its quality, softness, and ability to regulate body temperature even during high-intensity activity. Wool fibers have scales that are removed to make the fiber soft and comfortable using a unique process that is chlorine-free.

Merino is naturally anti-bacterial and it doesn’t stink like synthetic fibers, so you don’t have to wash the shirt so often – drying and airing it out is usually enough. As a natural fiber, merino wool will break down to its natural base elements and therefore not pollute the oceans and waterways when being washed or discarded. And YES, you can even compost your merino garment!

Weekendbee offers only 100 % mulesing-free merino wool products.

Mons Royale merino wool
Mons Royale merino layers have all of the benefits of a merino baselayer in a casual fit. Suitable for every season, every sport!

So why should we pay attention that our favorite merino wool sportswear is mulesing-free?

Mulesing has been a routine surgical procedure for the majority of sheep especially in Australia where most of the commercial wool comes from. It is a method used by some sheep farmers preventing their sheep from being killed by infections caused by insects. Mulesing procedure means cutting skin from around a lamb’s breech to create an area of bare, stretched skin. Because the scarred skin has no folds or wrinkles to hold moisture and feces, it is less likely to attract blowflies who might cause the death of the sheep. Mulesing is a painful surgical procedure for sheep and it can be avoided.

No animal should have to go through the pain and stress that this kind of procedure causes. Public pressure to improve sheep welfare has led to the wool industry researching alternatives to mulesing. Luckily, there are other ways to keep sheep safe from these insects but they are more expensive in the long run. This is why mulesing-free merino wool items might cost a bit extra. Research shows the pain of mulesing is similar to that of castration, but it lasts up to 48 hours.

Mons Royale merino wool

Always look for mulesing-free notifications and certified ethical wool

When buying wool, you should look for standards and certifications that ensure the fair treatment of animals and the respect of the environment, such as the Responsible Wool Standard and ZQ Merino Standard. There is also clothing made from recycled wool which means using pre- or post-consumer wool waste to make a new outdoor garment.

WE AT WEEKENDBEE OFFER ONLY 100 % MULESING-FREE MERINO WOOL PRODUCTS.