It might be a little surprising to hear the words ‘wool’ and ‘revolution’ in the same sentence, particularly when you consider that Britain is one of the largest wool providers on earth–producing the material and working with sheep since records began. It might be even more surprising when you learn that there are approximately 34 million sheep in the British Isles: that’s roughly one sheep per two people.
However, in the world of bedding, we are indeed looking at a wool revolution. It’s a sphere that, over the past decade, has been dominated by materials ‘made to be used by astronauts in space’ which promise temperature regulation and moisture wicking from infinity and beyond. Yet, it might just turn out that the very best material for the job was right here on our doorstep all along.
Natural wool is better for us and the planet, out performing other materials in nearly every category. It’s more sustainable than feather and down, more effective at temperature regulation than synthetics, easier to care for than silk bedding, and, thanks to the locality of the material, wool bedding has a much lower carbon footprint too. Recently, studies done by The Wool Room have shown that sleeping with wool bedding, as opposed to down duvets or synthetic duvets, can actually help you achieve 25% more deep regenerative sleep which is critical for overall health and cell regeneration.
Naturalmat, who produce duvets, mattresses, toppers and more, were the first company to use organic materials as standard across all their products in the industry. Concerned by the amount of unrecyclable, synthetic materials in modern mattresses, they saw the opportunity to pioneer healthy and sustainable sleep with natural wool products. “It's super comfortable, a brilliant insulator and inherently fire retardant and antimicrobial,” a spokesperson for Naturalmat commented.
Naturalmat aren't the only players in the wool revolution though. Take Floks, for instance, an independent brand set up by Sophie Platts in 2020. After years of frustratingly bad sleep, she began to research wool bedding, learning of its thermoregulating quality. The company sell just three products, a duvet, mattress and pillow, made with the finest, British, traceable wool.
Sleep experts suggest we need to change our bedding every seven years for hygiene reasons and to ensure that you're still getting the right support for your body–and yes, that's everything from your mattress and duvet to your sheets and pillows. Why not invest in the best?
Best wool duvets
Best wool pillows
Best wool mattress
Best wool mattress topper
Is wool good for bedding?
Yes, wool duvets make for higher sleep quality than nearly every other pillow or duvet filling. They are a hypoallergenic option, meaning allergy sufferers can sleep peacefully, as well as being sustainable and recyclable. Thanks to their air retention abilities, they are highly effective regulators that maintain your body temperature through summer and winter alike.
What to look for when buying wool bedding?
Tog rating
If you're on the hunt for one of the very best duvets on the market, you'll likely have come across tog ratings. These were invented in the 1940s to measure the thermal abilities of man made, synthetic fibres, so you probably won't see them on wool or other natural bedding materials. Wool is incredibly efficient at temperature regulation, so you can trust in the material instead of a number.
Care/treatment
Look for whether or not the wool has been treated. Treated wool will be machine washable, but less natural than untreated wool.
Certification
Look out for companies and products with organic certifications from the Soil Association or Organic Farmers & Growers. This qualification ensures the highest welfare standards for the sheep, as well as assessing the environmental impact the sheep have on the land.
Are wool duvets better than down?
Feather and down, whilst being natural materials too, are less effective at temperature regulation than wool. They tend to trap moisture which creates a more humid environment.
