{"id":2946,"date":"2024-10-06T12:33:57","date_gmt":"2024-10-06T04:33:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/2024\/10\/06\/10-things-nobody-tells-you-about-the-benefits-of-wool\/"},"modified":"2024-10-06T12:33:57","modified_gmt":"2024-10-06T04:33:57","slug":"10-things-nobody-tells-you-about-the-benefits-of-wool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/nl\/10-things-nobody-tells-you-about-the-benefits-of-wool\/","title":{"rendered":"10 dingen die niemand je vertelt over de voordelen van wol"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In addition to linen and cotton, wool is one of our tried-and-true, go-to textiles for all over the house. It\u2019s both hardy (as in a dependable wool rug) and luxurious (as in soft sheepskin blankets), and we love the way it looks in all its forms. But wool has other benefits, too: It\u2019s eco-friendly, water-resistant, antibacterial, and even has the potential to help you sleep better. It\u2019s also the traditional gift for wedding anniversary number seven (in case you want to drop any hints). Here\u2019s what to know about this all-purpose, dependable material.<\/p>\n

N.B. Featured image of the March Indigo Sturbridge Blanket, from 10 Easy Pieces: Winter Wool Blankets.<\/p>\n


Above: Sheepskins are a natural way of keeping warm in a Vancouver mountain house; see more in Steal This Look: A Ski House in North Vancouver, Sheepskin Included. <\/p>\n

1. It\u2019s been around for millennia.<\/h2>\n

Weaving wool is an ancient practice: the oldest known woven wool textile in Europe was found preserved in a Danish bog, and is estimated to date from 1500 BCE.<\/p>\n

2. It doesn\u2019t always come from sheep.<\/h2>\n

Though we commonly think of wool being made from sheep, when they\u2019re sheared in spring, the wide category of \u201cwool\u201d actually includes textiles made from the fur of alpacas, llamas, camels, goats, and other animals. Cashmere and mohair (both from goats) are types of wool, as is angora.<\/p>\n


Above: The trusty service blanket, made from wool. (These are Utility Service Blankets from Schoolhouse; see more picks in 10 Easy Pieces: Camp Blankets.) <\/p>\n

3. It wicks moisture.<\/h2>\n

Fan found out, when she ordered a wool dish-drying mat, that wool is naturally water-resistant (that\u2019s why she dubbed it her life-changing dish drying mat). She noted that, as she says, \u201cwhen you place just-washed items on the mat, you can actually see drops of water resting on top of the wool.\u201d And: \u201cWhatever water it absorbs eventually evaporates. The mat never feels soggy.\u201d That\u2019s because wool fibers both repel and absorb moisture: The exterior of the fibers is water resistant, but the interior can absorb a huge amount\u201430 percent of its weight. This makes it a great choice for dish drying mats, bedding, and socks alike: Whatever moisture is absorbed will be released, keeping the wearer or sleeper comfortably cool and dry.<\/p>\n

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Above: Old-school patterned wool blankets have made a comeback in the past few years, as in this bed in a Welsh country inn. See more in FForest: A Former Farm Transformed into the Ultimate Welsh Country Retreat, as well as Trend Alert: The Return of the Patterned Wool Blanket. <\/p>\n

4. It has antibacterial properties.<\/h2>\n

Because wool doesn\u2019t hold moisture, it\u2019s less likely to be a breeding ground for bacteria, mildew, mites, and other unpleasantries\u2014enough to convince us to invest in wool mattress toppers immediately.<\/p>\n

5. It\u2019s flame resistant.<\/h2>\n

Wool is more flame resistant than many other fibers; if it does catch fire, it chars and burns out, rather than melting or spreading the flames. This makes it the required choice for carpets on trains and airplanes as well as for firemen\u2019s uniforms and army blankets.<\/p>\n

6. And it\u2019s biodegradable.<\/h2>\n

Wool is completely biodegradable and a renewable resource: Sheared sheep, and other animals, will regrow their coats.<\/p>\n


Above: Stools stacked with hardy wool throws; photograph by Corinne Gilbert from Expert Advice: How to Decorate Like a Frenchwoman. <\/p>\n

7. Itchy? You need a finer wool.<\/h2>\n

Many people associate wool with itchiness, maybe even a runny nose\u2014and may think they\u2019re allergic to it. But actual allergies to wool are rare; most likely the itchiness is an aversion to thicker wool fibers, and a runny nose is a reaction to dust mites caught in the wool. Source finer wools and shake and air out your woolens frequently to help.<\/p>\n


Above: A felted wool piece by Ashley Helvey at Lord Stanley: San Francisco\u2019s Prettiest New Restaurant.,<\/p>\n

8. It\u2019s used in pianos and baseballs.<\/h2>\n

Among its other characteristics, wool absorbs sound, which is why it\u2019s used to cover the tiny hammers inside of a piano as well as in some sound systems and speakers. And baseballs are packed with wool so that they can withstand the impact of a fast-swinging bat.<\/p>\n

9. It rarely needs to be washed.<\/h2>\n

Because of wool\u2019s antibacterial properties, wool pretty much takes care of itself. Says Kellen Tucker, owner of Sharktooth, a Brooklyn store specializing in vintage textiles: \u201cWhen clients ask how to wash wool, my impulse is to say, \u2018Please don\u2019t.\u2019 Wool is an incredibly resilient fiber, but it requires the gentlest handling in water and is often best left alone.\u201d Most of the time, a simple shake, air-out, and spot clean works wonders. (You can also hang a wool blanket or throw outdoors on a bitter cold day to zap any bacteria and give it a refresh.) If you absolutely must wash your woolens, read how to treat them as gently as possible in Expert Advice: How to Clean Woolen Blankets, 5 Tips.<\/p>\n


Above: A black and white wool blanket in an attic room by architects Solveig Fernlund and Neil Logan. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista. <\/p>\n

10. It could help you sleep better.<\/h2>\n

Because it regulates moisture and heat, advocates say sleeping under a wool blanket\u2014or on it\u2014results in better sleep, keeping hot sleepers cool, cold sleepers warm, and preventing middle-of-the-night wake-ups. Curious to give it a try (or already an avid wool-bedding practitioner)? Let us know in the comments.<\/p>\n

More housewares and renovations myths, debunked:<\/p>\n