Decorating
9 Wonders of Wool Worth Bleating About
Wool flooring affords such a bounty of benefits that you'll soon be rushing out to get a 'magic carpet' of your own
Wool is one of the oldest natural fibres used by humans. Forming the fleece of sheep and lambs, it is naturally occurring and free of toxins and chemicals (unless added later). In addition to being soft underfoot and providing visual and physical warmth in a space, the properties of wool – and therefore wool carpets and rugs – provide a bounty of benefits, many of which you may or may not be familiar with. So let’s roll out the red carpet for the nine wonders of wool.
2. Hypoallergenic
Wool is a non-allergenic fibre that does not promote the growth of bacteria or mildew or give off harmful emissions, which reduces common allergen triggers. Wool carpet is also less likely to harbour dust mites and, as its fibres are too long and too coarse to be inhaled, it should not affect asthma sufferers.
Know your flooring: carpet
Wool is a non-allergenic fibre that does not promote the growth of bacteria or mildew or give off harmful emissions, which reduces common allergen triggers. Wool carpet is also less likely to harbour dust mites and, as its fibres are too long and too coarse to be inhaled, it should not affect asthma sufferers.
Know your flooring: carpet
3. Improve indoor air quality
Wool carpet can help to purify the air in your home for up to 30 years. This is particularly beneficial as indoor air is typically more polluted than outdoor air due to the products and materials we use every day to clean and furnish our homes.
A study by AgResearch found that wool carpet improves indoor air quality by rapidly absorbing common pollutants such as formaldehyde, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, and that wool neutralises contaminants more quickly than nylon and polyester.
How to avoid harmful VOCs at home
Wool carpet can help to purify the air in your home for up to 30 years. This is particularly beneficial as indoor air is typically more polluted than outdoor air due to the products and materials we use every day to clean and furnish our homes.
A study by AgResearch found that wool carpet improves indoor air quality by rapidly absorbing common pollutants such as formaldehyde, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, and that wool neutralises contaminants more quickly than nylon and polyester.
How to avoid harmful VOCs at home
According to the same research, wool can reduce high levels of formaldehyde to virtually zero in four hours, and low levels to near zero in 30 minutes. It can also absorb gases faster, especially so in the first 30 minutes after their release. Wool is even more effective in humid climates, as absorption increases with greater humidity, and it doesn’t re-emit pollutants with heat.
4. Stain-resistant and low-maintenance
Wool carpet has stain-resistant properties due to the surface of the fibre, which has a thin layer of the naturally occurring wax, lanolin. In addition, the structure of wool fibre consists of overlapping scales, like roof tiles, that inhibit dirt and dust from adhering to the fibre. These qualities enable wool carpet to resist liquid-based spills and to release dirt easily. Just be sure to clean up spills before they soak in; to vacuum regularly; and to get carpets professionally cleaned every one to two years.
Wool carpet has stain-resistant properties due to the surface of the fibre, which has a thin layer of the naturally occurring wax, lanolin. In addition, the structure of wool fibre consists of overlapping scales, like roof tiles, that inhibit dirt and dust from adhering to the fibre. These qualities enable wool carpet to resist liquid-based spills and to release dirt easily. Just be sure to clean up spills before they soak in; to vacuum regularly; and to get carpets professionally cleaned every one to two years.
5. Flame-retardant
Wool is a naturally flame-retardant fibre due to its high nitrogen content. In fact, wool is one of the last interior furnishings to catch alight when a house is on fire.
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Wool is a naturally flame-retardant fibre due to its high nitrogen content. In fact, wool is one of the last interior furnishings to catch alight when a house is on fire.
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In comparison to other fibres, wool has a much higher ignition temperature. For example, cotton catches alight at 255°C, but wool must reach 570-600°C. It also doesn’t melt, while polyester melts at 252-292°C and nylon at 160-260°C.
In the event that wool does catch fire, it is slower to burn, is often self-extinguishing, and has a slow flame spread because the natural chemical structure of wool means it requires more oxygen from the surrounding air than the atmosphere normally contains. It also produces much lower levels of smoke and toxic gas, and forms an insulating cool char that can be brushed or clipped off.
In the event that wool does catch fire, it is slower to burn, is often self-extinguishing, and has a slow flame spread because the natural chemical structure of wool means it requires more oxygen from the surrounding air than the atmosphere normally contains. It also produces much lower levels of smoke and toxic gas, and forms an insulating cool char that can be brushed or clipped off.
6. Renewable and biodegradable resource
As wool grows on sheep as they graze on the grass (preferably organic, and pesticide and heavy-metal free), it is a resource that renews every nine to 12 months. It is composed of amino acids and if placed in the soil it will biodegrade, producing nitrogen, sulphur, carbon dioxide and water. These are all plant nutrients, which enabled the wool to grow in the first place, and as the wool biodegrades they will go back into the earth.
However, even though the wool itself may be biodegradable, the latex backing that holds carpet together usually is not. There is, however, research into new carpet products that have a biodegradable backing. When no longer wanted, these carpets could be shredded and turned into organic material, such as fertiliser.
As wool grows on sheep as they graze on the grass (preferably organic, and pesticide and heavy-metal free), it is a resource that renews every nine to 12 months. It is composed of amino acids and if placed in the soil it will biodegrade, producing nitrogen, sulphur, carbon dioxide and water. These are all plant nutrients, which enabled the wool to grow in the first place, and as the wool biodegrades they will go back into the earth.
However, even though the wool itself may be biodegradable, the latex backing that holds carpet together usually is not. There is, however, research into new carpet products that have a biodegradable backing. When no longer wanted, these carpets could be shredded and turned into organic material, such as fertiliser.
7. Acoustic properties
Wool carpet improves room acoustics by softening and dampening the noise in a house. This is due to the natural crimp of wool fibre, which has tiny air pockets that absorb sound.
Another study by AgResearch found that these properties help reduce floor noise, absorb airborne noise, and minimise noise travel between spaces. The surface porosity of wool carpet enables sound waves to penetrate into the pile, rather than being reflected back into the room, as they would from a smooth or hard surface. The individual fibres, pile tufts and underlay of wool carpet have the ability to absorb sounds over a wide range of frequencies due to the natural variations in diameter, crimp and length of the fibres.
Wool carpet improves room acoustics by softening and dampening the noise in a house. This is due to the natural crimp of wool fibre, which has tiny air pockets that absorb sound.
Another study by AgResearch found that these properties help reduce floor noise, absorb airborne noise, and minimise noise travel between spaces. The surface porosity of wool carpet enables sound waves to penetrate into the pile, rather than being reflected back into the room, as they would from a smooth or hard surface. The individual fibres, pile tufts and underlay of wool carpet have the ability to absorb sounds over a wide range of frequencies due to the natural variations in diameter, crimp and length of the fibres.
8. Thermal insulation and temperature control
Wool’s natural crimp also makes it an excellent insulator that can help keep a home cool in summer and warm in winter.
Wool fibre holds moisture in equilibrium with the humidity in the air and can naturally absorb 30-40 per cent of its own weight in moisture. Wool therefore has a cooling effect as it releases moisture in dry conditions, whereas it gives off heat in damp conditions as it absorbs moisture and makes the home environment drier and healthier.
Wool’s natural crimp also makes it an excellent insulator that can help keep a home cool in summer and warm in winter.
Wool fibre holds moisture in equilibrium with the humidity in the air and can naturally absorb 30-40 per cent of its own weight in moisture. Wool therefore has a cooling effect as it releases moisture in dry conditions, whereas it gives off heat in damp conditions as it absorbs moisture and makes the home environment drier and healthier.
9. Cushioned non-slip surface
The elasticity and softness of wool fibre makes wool carpet soft and comfortable underfoot. In addition, each wool fibre is covered with microscopic fibres that provide grip and help to prevent slips and falls (especially compared with synthetic fibres, which have a smooth edge).
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Do you have wool carpeting or rugs at home? Are you happy with them? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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The elasticity and softness of wool fibre makes wool carpet soft and comfortable underfoot. In addition, each wool fibre is covered with microscopic fibres that provide grip and help to prevent slips and falls (especially compared with synthetic fibres, which have a smooth edge).
Your say
Do you have wool carpeting or rugs at home? Are you happy with them? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
More
Browse more living room ideas
Sheep hair is naturally curly as it grows in a spiral, and even when the fibres are shorn, they maintain their memory when twisted into tufts. This makes wool carpet naturally resilient and extremely strong and durable. It can endure heavy foot traffic and will last decades when taken care of. The natural curl also boosts the elasticity and crush resistance of wool carpet, helping it to keep its appearance better than other carpet fibres.