The Ultimate Guide to Wool Bedding

In the pursuit of a good night’s sleep, it is important to think about the materials we are surrounding ourselves with during the night. These can significantly impact our comfort, health, and overall well-being. Especially when you think we spend one-third of our lives asleep!

In recent years the industry has rediscovered wool bedding. A natural and luxurious option that offers a multitude of benefits for sleepers of all needs. From pillows and duvets to mattress protectors and mattresses. There is a diverse array of wool bedding products to create your perfect sleep sanctuary.

With its remarkable temperature-regulating properties, wool bedding keeps you cosy in winter and cool in summer. It is also ideal for allergy sufferers, as wool’s natural resistance to dust mites and mold promotes a healthier and cleaner sleep environment.

In this guide, we will delve into the different types of wool bedding products. Providing you with insights into their features, benefits, and considerations for choosing the right fit for your sleep style.

Plus, learn about traceable wool and ensuring your choices align with sustainable shopping.

Origin is Everything

In our society, we are learning that supporting local and understanding the provenance of the products we buy has becoming increasingly important.

Many British wool bedding products now are using ‘Traceable Wool’. This refers to 100% traceable wool scheme that traces the origin of the wool from the farm to the end product. This allows customers to fully understand where the wool in the products they are purchasing is from.

Opting for traceable British wool not only guarantees product quality but also provides extra support to local farmers, who benefit from additional payments.

Your Guide to Wool Bedding

Wool Pillows

When it comes to wool pillows, there are two main types to consider: filled and folded.

Most wool pillows are made by enclosing loose wool inside a sealed and stitched casing, these are referred to as filled. Brands offer a few different weights of pillow:

‘Light or soft’ for stomach sleepers
a versatile ‘medium’ suitable for side and back sleepers
‘lofty or firm’ high filled pillow for those who prefer more support or elevation.

Some also offer the ability to customise the weight of your pillow with the ability to add or remove the wool balls inside. These wool balls are small pea-sized pellets of wool that are manufactured so that they do not clump together.

Alternatively, there are folding pillows (exclusive to Devon Duvets), which come in different number of folds (2, 3 or 4). And can be folded or unfolded to create different heights and firmness’s depending on the sleepers needs. Great for guest bedrooms to please all your visitors. The ability to fold them flat also makes them easy to fit in the washing machine and stick on a wool cycle.

Compared to other pillow filling materials like down or memory foam, wool maintains its loft and support over time without clumping or flattening and provides better breathability compared to memory foam, preventing heat buildup, creating a cooler sleep surface.

Devon Duvets | Woolroom | Floks | Baavet | Ava Innes

Wool Duvets

British wool duvets are available in a range of weights tailored to every season. Our brand partners typically produce a variation of ‘summer weight’, an ‘all seasons’ weight and ‘winter weight’.

You may be used to purchasing a duvet based on its TOG value. However, this rating is only suitable for synthetic and down fillings and does not give wool and other natural fibres a comparable rating. This is because TOG is calculated on retaining heat only and the natural properties of wool allow it to both insulate and release heat to keep the sleeper at a comfortable temperature.

So wool duvets don’t have a consistent insulation value but allow your body to naturally regulate your body temperature and adapt to the different seasons. Whilst also adapting to what your body needs, ensuring a comfortable sleep environment year-round.

When selecting a wool duvet, consider factors such as climate, the temperature of your home and your personal body temperature. For colder climates, occupants in older, less insulated homes or individuals who run cold and prefer extra warmth; opt for a thicker wool duvet designed for winter use. Conversely, lighter-weight wool duvets are ideal for warmer climates or those who tend to sleep hot and keep the windows closed at night.

Elevate your sleep experience with British wool duvets, providing luxurious warmth and breathability for a restful night’s sleep, no matter the season.

Wool Mattress Protectors

Including a wool mattress protector or topper to your bed can also enhance the overall benefit of sleeping with wool. Cocooning yourself with wool ensures an optimum sleep environment. Laying on a synthetic topper could increase the likelihood of overheating.

Exposure to heat during the night increases wakefulness and decreases slow-wave sleep and REM sleep. Similarly, humidity can also magnify the effect of reducing your sweat’s ability to evaporate creating an unhealthy and bacteria-ridding sleep environment.

Investing in a British wool mattress protector is a wise choice for safeguarding your mattress and extending its lifespan. By acting as a barrier against spills, stains, and dust mites, wool mattress protectors help maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of your sleep surface, ensuring a healthier sleep environment for you and your loved ones.

Floks | Natural Comfort | Baavet | Woolroom | Devon Duvets

Wool Mattresses

We recognise that purchasing a mattress can be a stressful experience for many. Given that it is not something we need to do often, it is understandable to feel unsure about where to begin.

Buying cheap, poorly made mattresses can create millions of tonnes of unnecessary synthetic waste that is not always recycled. In the UK, we throw away over 7 million mattresses a year (that is enough to fill Wembley Stadium five times over). You can help reduce this significant environmental impact if we all make better choices when it comes to buying, caring for and disposing of our beds.

Opting for local, natural, and sustainable fibre filling like British wool is not only more friendly to the environment. But offers superior breathability compared to memory foam, preventing heat buildup, and promoting a cooler sleep surface. The natural properties of wool, such as bulk, breathability and temperature regulation, ensure a comfortable sleep environment year-round.

With good care and maintenance, a mattress can last a lot longer than the apparent 7–10-year average lifespan without losing its performance. British wool fibre has superior bulk to other fibres and even other origin wools. This bounce-back-ability and durability means the wool in your mattress returns to its original formation even after 8 hours sleeping on it!

British wool mattresses hold a real variety of wool types, supporting sheep farmers from across the UK from Herdwick farmers from the Lake District to Welsh Mountain farmers as high as Pen y Fan!

Abaca Organic | Dreams | Rest Assured | Floks

Care and Maintenance of Wool Bedding

Taking care of your wool bedding ensures its longevity and keeps its pristine condition for years to come. Here are some essential tips for caring for your wool bedding products:

General Care Tips:

Regularly fluff and air out your wool bedding to keep its loft and freshness.

Rotate your pillows and duvets periodically to prevent uneven wear.

Use a mattress protector to shield your mattress from spills, stains, and dust, prolonging its lifespan.

Rotate, flip and air your mattress regularly

Gently vacuum your mattress from time to time

Cleaning Instructions:

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for washing and care, as they may vary depending on the specific product.

Most wool bedding products can be spot cleaned with a mild detergent and water. But always check the care label first.

Some wool pillows and duvets may be machine-washable on a gentle cycle with a wool-specific detergent.

Air out your wool bedding every other month to keep fresh

Storage Recommendations:

Store your wool bedding in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture to prevent mildew and odours.

Use breathable storage bags or containers to allow air circulation and prevent condensation buildup.

By following these care and maintenance tips, you can keep your wool bedding products fresh, clean, and comfortable, ensuring a restful and rejuvenating sleep experience every night.