Why Wool?

A Brief History of Wool as Utility

There’s archaeological evidence that humans began domesticating sheep in Mesopotamia between 11000-8000 BCE. Persians understood the advantages of wool and began breeding sheep specifically for their wool around 6000 BCE, with the earliest wool clothing dating back to 4000-3000 BCE. Wool trading grew in popularity across Africa and Europe, and by 1000 BCE, Spain and England were the leaders in wool production.

Sheep first came to the Americas on Christopher Columbus’ second voyage in1493, and then again with Hernan Cortes in 1519. These sheep were largely spread throughout Central America and the lower parts of North America. Sheep arrived in North America in 1607 and grew in popularity, with over 100,000 sheep in the thirteen colonies. By the 1940s, there were roughly 55 million sheep in the U.S.

Through breeding all over the world, there are now over 1,000 distinct sheep breeds worldwide. Wool has been a treasured fiber for thousands of years, with people making clothes, bedding, and more with this precious material. With all of the benefits of wool, such as its natural temperature-regulating properties, amazing stretch, resilience, and durability, it’s no surprise that wool has been utilized by so many for so many years.
 

Benefits of Wool

Wool is a natural, renewable fiber with health benefits and luxurious enhanced comfort, proven to improve your sleep by 25%. How does it do this? When you cocoon yourself in wool, you’re guaranteed a healthier, happier sleep, leaving you feeling fully rested and refreshed each morning. The benefits of wool bedding include:

• Absorbent/breathable
• Hypoallergenic
• Flame-retardant
• Resistant to mildew & mold
• Easy to clean
• Durable
• Wrinkle-resistant
• Sustainable
• Temperature-regulating
• Static-resistant
• Odor-resistant

 

Naturally Absorbent

One of the biggest advantages of wool bedding is that it’s naturally absorbent. Wool fiber is the original wicking fiber, and wool fabrics can absorb up to 30% of their weight without feeling heavy or damp. To put that into perspective, cotton fabrics begin to feel damp after 15%. The fibers 'breathe' by absorbing moisture away from the body and releasing it into the air. It’s just like magic!
 

Hypoallergenic

If you’re looking for anti-allergy bedding, you can’t go wrong with wool, as it’s naturally hypoallergenic. Although some people do have a rare natural allergy to Lanolin — the oil found in wool — most people's allergy to wool is a reaction to the many harsh and toxic chemicals that go into the treatment and finishing of conventional wool garments and bedding. Serious chemical abrasives are routinely used to wash raw wool for processing. Chlorine and mothproofing chemicals are routinely applied to conventional wool before turning it into a finished product. With Woolroom, no such chemicals are used, so you can rest assured that your bedding is entirely free of harsh chemicals or bleaches.
 

Flame-Retardant

Wool is safer to wear because of its natural fire-retardant properties. It can resist flame without the chemical treatment involved in fireproofing. Most synthetic fibers ignite easily, burn fiercely, and melt at an alarming rate.
 

Resistant to Mildew & Mold

The natural resistance to mildew and mold is another huge benefit of wool bedding. This resistance comes from the way it repels moisture and lets moisture pass through its fibers without trapping it. Mildews and molds require moisture to live and grow, which is why wool is the perfect material for bedding.
 

Clean

Wool resists static, dirt, and dust. This makes it easy to clean because any dirt will sit on the surface of the fiber. The outside surface of the wool fiber consists of a series of overlapping scales, similar to the feathers on a bird, making it easy to brush off and for stains to lift out.
 

Durable

Laboratory tests have shown that wool fibers resist tearing and can bend back on themselves more than 20,000 times without breaking. Cotton breaks after 3,200 bends, silk fibers break after 1,800 bends, and rayon fibers break after just 75 bends. That’s why wool lasts, giving your bedding a longer, happier life.
 

Wrinkle-Resistant

If you’re wondering why wool will naturally resist the wrinkles in your bed sheets, it’s because wool is the most resilient fiber. It has a natural crimp that helps it keep its shape and will bounce back to its original shape even if it’s stretched.
 

Sustainable

Wool is a renewable resource that can be shorn from sheep annually. It is biodegradable and kinder to the environment than oil-based synthetics, which contribute to global pollution.
 

Temperature-Regulating

The most important benefits of wool bedding are comfort and temperature control. With wool bedding, you’ll be kept warm in winter and cooler in the summer – thanks to its temperature regulating capabilities and its naturally breathable fabric. Wool fiber helps to keep your body at the optimal temperature zone for the right level of comfort and rest. The alternatives, such as synthetic fibers, down, and cotton, do not breathe the same way as wool does and are more likely to trap heat in your bed. Wool buffers the extreme cold or hot air on the outside, keeping your body in the ideal comfort zone. The perfect temperature for the perfect snooze.
 

Static-Resistant

Unlike synthetic fibers, wool absorbs moisture in the air or from the body, preventing static electricity from creating uncomfortable clinging.
 

Odor-Resistant

Wool has unique natural properties that prevent odors. Because of its ability to absorb moisture, it keeps the skin drier to prevent sweat build-up. It also has natural anti-microbial properties that prevent bacterial growth that can lead to foul odors.
 

Wool Bedding Options

Are you ready to enjoy the benefits of wool mattresses, toppers, pillows, duvets, and more? Build your sleep sanctuary with Woolroom bedding today, and change your relationship with sleep. Here are some of our best-selling products to help you reap all the benefits of wool.
 

Wool Comforters

Our organic wool comforters are the perfect addition to any bedroom! Made from 100% British wool, our comforters have natural temperature-regulating qualities to help you stay at the perfect temperature all night long. Because of the temperature-regulating qualities, you’ll be able to use the same comforter all year. No more switching blankets in the winter and summer!
 

Wool Pillows

Our natural wool pillows are made with 100% British wool and are naturally hypoallergenic. You’ll be able to sleep peacefully without waking up sneezing or wheezing. Just like our comforters, our wool pillows also have temperature-regulating qualities to keep you cozy at night.
 

Wool Mattress Protectors, Pads, and Toppers

Achieve healthier sleep with a wool mattress protector, pad, or topper! Our mattress protector is designed to keep your mattress clean while providing a thin cooling layer, while our pads and toppers add extra layers of coziness. No matter which product you choose, you’re guaranteed all of the amazing benefits of wool.
 

Wool Mattresses

The Wooly Mattress Collection offers an advanced sleeping experience and helps you enjoy all the benefits of wool. Handcrafted by fourth-generation mattress makers in South Carolina, our natural wool mattress range combines the best of British design with American craftsmanship. Our wool mattresses are available in three sizes:

• The Classic Wooly Mattress offers a natural sleeping experience with its independent pocket coils and traceable British wool fillings.
• Our Deluxe Wooly Mattress intertwines 4,500 pocket coils with traceable wool to provide comfort and manage humidity for cooler sleep.
• The Luxury Wooly Mattress combines 8,500 coil technologies with dense British wool to offer cloud-like and cooler sleep with unparalleled support.

 

Bed Blankets

If you’re a hot sleeper looking for an alternative to a comforter, try our bed blankets! They’re also great as an added comfort layer during the colder months. The biggest benefit of wool blankets is their ability to be combined to help you find your perfect sleep temperature. Our blankets come in a wide variety of colors to match your home and are available in three varieties:

• Merino wool
• Cellular lambswool
• Northstar pure wool