The world might be changing at a rapid pace, but some things never go out of style. Wool is, and always has been, a gorgeous material to surround yourself with. It’s soft, warm and beautifully adaptable. But for those with an eye on protecting the environment, it’s also a very responsible choice.
Discover wonderful wool
Here are 5 reasons to welcome wool into your world:
1
It’s sustainable
As long as sheep have fields of grass to graze, we can keep producing wool – unlike synthetic fibres which rely on oil and refineries. And, as a sheep produces a fresh new fleece each year, wool is a completely renewable product.
2
It’s environmentally friendly and biodegradable
Wool is an extremely hard-wearing fabric, but if you tire of a woollen product before the end of its natural life, it can be easily recycled. And if it does end up being thrown away, it will gradually decompose, releasing nutrients back into the soil.
3
It’s completely natural
Made from keratin, a protein found in all animal hair, the natural function of wool is to keep a stable body temperature. Tiny pores on the two outer layers allow moisture to pass through to the central layer where it’s absorbed. This means it’s warm in winter because it traps air at the centre of the fibre, and cool in summer because it absorbs moisture – just one reason why it’s perfect for carpet and bedding. It’s clean too – the complex layers in wool fibre help to trap dirt and dust in the outer layers, and repel liquid spills, which bead up and stay on the surface.
4
It’s good for you
Despite common myths, if you suffer from allergies or asthma, carpet is better for you than bare floorboards. Why? With boards, dust will continue to emerge from between them and float above the surface. Wool traps the dust particles and holds onto them, ready to be vacuumed up – along with any pollutants, helping to purify the air. It’s also resistant to mould and mildew and, because it absorbs moisture, it is less attractive to dust mites, one of the key triggers for asthma.
5
It’s fire-resistant
It’s harder to set fire to wool than most other synthetic fabrics and, if there is a fire, the flames spread more slowly. It’s also great at absorbing noise, so perfect for carpeting staircases and upstairs rooms, and it’s resistant to stains. Most marks can be removed with water, so you don’t have to use harsh chemicals.
Win with wool
Now you can discover the beauty of wool for yourself. British Wool is giving you the chance to win an exclusive Waterlake runner, designed by Ella Doran and created by Alternative Flooring. It couldn’t be easier to enter – all you have to do is follow the@BritishWool Instagram page and tag a friend in its original competition post here.
The competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom aged 18 years or over except employees of British Wool and their close relatives and anyone otherwise connected with the organisation or judging of the competition. Competition closes on 13th October 2919 at 11.59 pm. Full terms and conditions are available here.
And don’t forget to follow @BritishWool on Facebook too!
Isn’t it time you discovered wonderful wool?