For our clothes we use the following raw materials: organic cotton, organic Merino virgin wool and the especially proven blend of Merino virgin wool and silk.

Cotton plants grow in tropical and subtropical climates. The cotton is obtained from the seed fibre of the fruit capsule. Cotton is very skin-friendly and it can absorb up to 20% of its own weight in moisture and take it away from the body. Cotton is sweat-resistant and pleasantly smooth. Natural cotton fabrics are also antistatic, hard-wearing, moth-proof and can be machine washed at high temperatures.

Engel GmbH uses organic cotton. Besides a gentle treatment of nature, fair cooperation with the grower is guaranteed as the cultivation is controlled according to the IVN guidelines is thus not only environmentally friendly for soil, water and air but also socially acceptable for the labourers on the cotton fields.

Most of the cotton underwear (German “kbA” classification ) produced by us has been awarded the NATURTEXTIL – IVN ZERTIFIZIERT BEST quality mark, which is currently the highest ecological standard.

Wool fibre is an albumen fibre that is similar to human skin with respect to its component parts. Wool possesses excellent warmth retention, regulates cutaneous respiration and the oxygen exchange. Wool is also moisture-regulating, i.e. it can absorb up to one third of its own weight of moisture and, pending external conditions, return it to the environment. The new wool the Engel company uses comes from Merino sheep. Merino virgin wool is finely crimped, does not itch and feels soft and cosy.

The wool comes from Merino sheep in their natural environment, which are organically farmed and therefore live a healthy and stress-free life. The usage of pesticides is forbidden both on pastures and on animals.

Wool is dirt-­repellent and regenerates by airing. Wool laundry should be washed and rinsed very carefully in the wool cycle of your washing machine or by hand in lukewarm water, do not wring or rub, otherwise it will become matted.

The top quality used by Engel is a blend of Merino wool with mulberry silk (70 %/30 %): These blends underline the characteristics of each single fibre and make sure that wearing textiles of these blends will be a memorable and comfortable experience, and that these textiles can be worn for a long time. Merino virgin wool/silk blends support a healthy ­feeling for your skin and prevent hyperthermia. That is why we call the underwear we make from Merino virgin wool and silk our “nothing-can-top-underwear”.

The soft and cosy Merino virgin wool for our wool/silk blend also comes from organic husbandry and is certified with the hallmark Global ­Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).

The silk thread is an animal ­protein fibre which is ­extracted from the cocoon of the silkworm. The fibre is ­similar to the wool fibre structure and characteristics. The extraordinary length of this ­natural fibre, its tensile strength, ­finesse and its characteristic grip, turn silk into one of the finest textile materials. Silk is especially eudermic and has a shiny surface. Silk actively balances temperature, i.e. it ­gives warmth when it is cold and cools down when warm.

Silk should be cared just as wool. When ­drying, avoid long direct solar radiation
as the fibre may become brittle and lose ­firmness.