The End of Superwash and the reason why

Since the beginning of our journey with Zakami Yarns, we have focused on yarn blends that you wouldn’t necessarily find everywhere. We’ve always been particularly against what we believe is falsely called 'sock yarn' — those blends that contain a certain amount of nylon. Why? Because nylon isn’t actually necessary for the lifespan and durability of the socks you’re making. Socks can be perfectly well made from a higher-twist yarn that creates a stronger, longer-lasting fabric.

At the same time, we have always stocked superwash yarns in our range — the classic ones (100% Merino SW in every weight, etc.). And while we initially felt that carrying these was essential to establishing our name in the market, the more we worked with them, the less we liked them.

Firstly, because they’re the easiest yarn blends to work with — almost too easy. When we work with non-superwash yarns, we need to take care — monitor the water temperature, ensure they don’t felt, and treat them with the respect they deserve. That process makes us feel like we’re truly crafting an artisan product.

Don’t get us wrong, on superwash bases, the colours are intensely saturated, rich, and vibrant, like an 8K screen. But that doesn’t mean we want to stock them just because of that.

Secondly, because there’s a far more serious problem with superwash yarns than how they feel to work with as dyers: their impact on the planet — and on us.

After much consideration, we’ve decided it’s time to stop stocking and dyeing superwash yarns.

This wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s one we strongly believe is the right step forward — and something that has been on our minds for a very long time.

What Is Superwash Wool?

Superwash wool is wool that has been treated to make it machine washable and resistant to felting. This is usually done in one of two ways — either by coating the fibres with a plastic-based polymer or by chemically stripping away the wool’s natural scales. The result? A smoother yarn that’s easy to care for and less likely to shrink. Sounds great, right?

Why We're Moving Away from It

While superwash wool is convenient, the process behind it has a high environmental cost. Here’s why:

• Chemical Waste – The traditional method exposes wool to chlorine gas or soaks it in chlorinated water to remove the outer layer of the fibre. This releases harmful byproducts into wastewater, which can damage aquatic ecosystems.
• Plastic Coatings – Many superwash yarns are coated with resin (often polyamide-based), meaning they release microplastics every time they’re washed. Wool is naturally biodegradable — but not when it’s wrapped in plastic.
• High Resource Consumption – Superwash wool production is water- and energy-intensive, adding to its environmental footprint.

What Could Be the Future of Superwash?

The good news is that the textile industry is looking for better solutions. Some promising alternatives include:

• Enzyme-Based Treatments – Using natural enzymes to modify wool’s surface without harmful chemicals.
• Plasma & Ozone Treatments – Emerging methods that alter the fibre without chlorine or resin coatings.
• Chlorine-Free Superwash – Some mills are developing ways to make wool machine washable without toxic chemicals.

None of these alternatives are widely available yet, but we’re keeping an eye on developments. If a truly sustainable superwash alternative emerges, we’ll reconsider. Until then, we’re choosing to step away.

What This Means for Zakami Yarns

We’re continuing to shift towards untreated, non-superwash wools — fibres that behave the way wool is meant to. They may require a little extra care, but in return, they offer incredible texture, depth, and the satisfaction of working with something truly natural.

This shift isn’t just about what we sell — it’s about the kind of business we want to be. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

With warmth and care,
Melinda, Gergely & the Zakami Team