The Wonders of Wool
Are you aware of the benefits of today’s wool? It is useful for more than just knitting sweaters! Wool fibers used to be associated with uncomfortable scratchiness. However, today’s wool is cozy and comfortable. Even better, it is an eco-friendly fiber. Here you will find the benefits of wool and how we use this wondrous fiber in our sustainable mattresses and bedding here at The Clean Bedroom.
Health Benefits of Wool
If you are seeking to lead a chemical-free lifestyle, wool is your friend. Because wool is naturally flame resistant, there is no need for harsh chemicals for flame retardant use. Anything made entirely from wool does not easily start on fire. Wool is good for your sleep and your health! Because wool is breathable and wicks moisture away, there is better air circulation, and you sleep cooler and drier. Being cool and dry while you sleep helps you sleep more deeply. In addition, some studies have shown that sleeping with wool helps to lower heart rate, compared with synthetic fibers. This also contributes to deeper sleep and better health. Finally, wool is hypoallergenic. Wool allergies are very rare. Unless you are allergic to lanolin (an oil found in wool) untreated, natural wool should not cause an allergic reaction. Wool also repels dust mites and mold, keeping your wool products clean, dry, and free of those allergens.
Environmental Benefits of Wool
Wool is natural and is a sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable textile. Since sheep need to be shorn each year, wool is renewable. The farmers that produce our wool work hard to care for natural resources so that the industry is sustainable for the future. Also, wool is a natural fiber that is biodegradable and does not contribute to microplastic pollution. Finally, wool is long-lasting and durable. Because of wool’s coil-like structure, it is extremely resilient. You can easily freshen it and make it springy again with some time in the sun! And wool fiber is so strong that a single fiber can be bent 20,000 times and still regain its shape. This means that wool pieces can be heirlooms passed on for generations rather than end up in a landfill.
Uses of Wool
In many of our mattresses, wool is quilted in the cover or used as padding or batting. It serves many purposes. As a flame retardant, it eliminates the need for toxic chemicals. As mentioned earlier, wool also has great temperature regulation properties. Finally, wool is comfortable to sleep on and hypoallergenic. Wool is often used as a stuffing in pillows. Because it repels dust mites, it is a very long-lasting fill for a pillow. You can freshen wool pillows by setting them outside in the sun periodically for a few minutes. Some pillows are filled with wool clusters, similar to down clusters. Wool can be used as a soft yet resilient filler for toppers. A topper filled with wool is supremely comfortable and will last for many years. Wool comforters provide a clean and dry yet substantial layer for sleeping. They wick away moisture for a better night of sleep. Because of wool’s great insulating properties, wool comforters keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Types of Wool used in our products:
Merino Sheep Wool
Merino wool comes from (obviously) Merino sheep. Merino wool is thinner and softer than regular wool. It is ultra-fine and is very efficient at wicking moisture away. Some say it is the finest and softest wool of any type.
Shropshire Sheep Wool
Shropshire wool is elastic yet fine to the touch. It has a medium weight and has a springy quality to it. Sleep and Beyond uses Shropshire wool in many of its products.
Corriedale Sheep Wool
This wool, used in our Obasan products, comes from a remote region in Argentina. No chemicals have ever been used on it. Since the sheep are allowed to roam free for 12 months out of the year, they produce coarse wool with more spring and resilience than other wools.
British Fleece Wool
Our Vispring mattresses and toppers utilize this luxurious wool. Britain’s climate produces wool that is uniquely strong and springy yet silky.
American Eco-Wool
This wool is sourced from sheep ranches in the western United States. The farmers use humane and environmentally sound practices. The sheep are free to graze and are sheared humanely. No pesticides or herbicides are used.
Other wool wonders:
Cashmere
Eight times warmer than sheep’s wool yet significantly lighter, cashmere is produced from the cashmere goat’s soft under-fleece. Absorbent, resilient, and supremely smooth, its long, silky fibers have excellent insulating properties. It contributes its unique softness and sumptuous feel to our finest mattresses.
Mohair
One of the oldest textile fibers in use today, mohair is a luxurious material made from the hair of the Angora goat. Durable, resilient, and exquisitely soft, it is also an excellent natural insulator; warm in winter, its moisture-wicking properties keep it deliciously cool in summer to guarantee year-round comfort.
Alpaca Wool
Alpaca fiber is hollow, making it one of the warmest natural fibers available. It is also very light and soft and acts as an insulator, keeping you warm and comfortable. Alpaca fiber’s porous nature is naturally dry and clean, preventing dust mites and other allergens from settling in. Recent research has found that dust mites are among the most common causes of asthma and allergies in the bedroom.
Care of Wool
For some wool items, all that is needed is to set them in the sun periodically to refresh them. For others, they need to be washed following specific instructions, and for still others, you should never wash them at all. Be sure to check the care instructions that came with your wool items, as it varies by manufacturer.