Wool is used in bedding, clothing, insulation, crafts, upholstery, mulch, fertilizer, brick reinforcement, and packing material. Wool is a fiber, similar to hair or fur, that is collected from sheep and other animals, and has been used for centuries to make clothing and other textiles. It makes a great fabric for cold weather clothing as the fiber allows tiny air pockets to form, creating a thermal barrier that helps regulate heat and humidity. Woolen fibers have a natural elasticity that prevent sagging and help items retain their shape. Textiles made with wool are easy to handle have a wonderful blend of strength and comfort. The structure of the fibers also makes it uniquely resilient to damage, and its natural waxy coating helps prevent stains. Wool is best known for its textile and clothing uses, but there are also some nontraditional uses that make it an incredibly versatile material.
Wool is a practical choice for insulation as it provides both heat and sound insulation, is 100% biodegradable, and offers a flame resistance up to 560℃. This fire retardancy rating, especially in merino wool, has made wool a top choice as a material in firefighters’ uniforms. When it comes to building materials, wool has also been found to make bricks stronger and improves their affordability.
In the garden, wool can be used as mulch to help prevent weeds and retain soil moisture. It can be added to your compost pile, and although it takes a while to break down it can act as a fertilizer for your garden. Wool is approximately 9% nitrogen and 1% phosphate.
Wool has the unique advantage over man-made fibers as it is fire resistance, sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable. It is highly durable, flexible and water resistant. Very little wool is wasted because of its variety of uses, and it can be collected from animals cruelty free.
Lanolin, a waxy substance that coats wool and provides its water shedding ability, can be harvested from wool and used in medical grade ointments, personal care, and industrial products.
Wool has been used in children’s clothes and toys for centuries, and there is a company that upcycles wool in children’s toys and every purchase helps parents in high poverty areas send their children to school instead of participating in child labor. Click the photos below to make a purchase or to learn more.
Below is a quick video from Janet Faulker about different uses for wool.