This wool balaclava is extra-special: knitted in 100% organic Merino wool for softness and warmth, it's lined in 100% organic cotton so it's gentle on even the most sensitive skin. We love all of the colours and the warm feel of the knit.

• breathable, chemical-free and healthy for your child
• 100% IVN-certified organic Merino wool with a 100% organic knitted-cotton lining
• long in the neck to keep drafts out!

This comfortable, open-faced balaclava stays on to keep heads warm.

This is made in 100% organic Merino wool certified as organic by IVN to GOTS standards. It has an organic cotton lining that is also certified as organic.

Merino wool is a kind of wool fibre that is very fine, soft and springy and is not itchy at all to most skins. The Merino sheep usually thrives in mountainous areas at high altitudes and its wool is naturally brilliant at keeping the body comfortable at a wide range of temperatures.

All certified organic wool comes from sheep which have been farmed organically and with high animal welfare standards. The organic status refers to all stages of manufaturing process from harvesting of the raw materials, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labeling in order to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer.

Wool (and thus Merino wool) has many benefits including being anti-bacterial and allowing the body to regulate its own temperature. See the blog for more details.

Organic cotton is grown without the use of chemical fertilisers. The reduced processing of the cotton also results in a longer-staple, higher quality cotton that is softer on your skin.

Included in the organic certification are standards that ensure the welfare of those involved in the farming and production of the clothing, so that you can be assured that nobody has been exploited along the way.

You will feel the difference in quality when you touch organic cotton - it's something that gives us pleasure to handle here at Cambridge Baby, and you know that it's safe for your baby and gentle and nurturing for your family.

Wool is naturally self-cleaning, the outer surfaces of the fibre pushing dirt down and off itself. It's naturally anti-bacterial and neutralises odours too... so after wearing, the best thing to do is to hang your wool to air.

Reiff's organic Merino wool with cotton lining items must be washed with care. Relax recommends hand washing in cold water that is less than 10oc.

Use a detergent designed for wool which protects and repenishes wool's natural oils as sold in our fabric care category here.

To hand wash, dilute your wool detergent in a bowl.

Add your wool with organic lining garments to the bowl, gently stirring and squeezing the detergent through. Rinse using cold water

To dry, gently squeeze water out and wrap your wool clothes in a towel to remove the excess water. Air-dry naturally avoiding direct heat. So, hanging on a drying rack over the bath is good, or on a clothes horse.

The Relax brand, also known as Reiff, is a product of family-run company Reiff Strickwaren. We love their products because they are carefully made and expertly designed for the whole family - babies and children as well as parents, grandparents and everyone else too!

All their beautiful Merino wool products are made near where they live, at the foot of the Swabian Alps in Germany. We first met some of the family at a trade fair and are delighted to be working with them. We like the quality of their products, their friendly service and attention to detail. Their bright colours are a favourite of children and add a smile to grey days.