What is Organic Wool?

Do you want to know more about organic wool? What are the benefits of it, and why is it better than other bedding materials? If so, this article is for you. Natural wool provides many benefits that cannot be found in synthetic fibers or cotton.

It can help reduce allergies and asthma symptoms by removing dust mites from bedding and mattresses. On top of all these benefits, wool looks nicer than polyester sheets! There are also a few drawbacks to consider before making your purchase decision.

This article will give you some information on what to look for when buying an organic mattress or bedding set.

What Makes Wool Organic?

Organic wool is made from sheep that are raised on organic farms that don't use pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers.

A certification process is in place to ensure the wool meets these organic standards and can be labeled as "certified" by one of two agencies: The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) - a nonprofit organization - or USDA National Organic Program (NOP).

The outer wool fiber must be free of non-organic pesticides and herbicides, while the inner coat can contain some chemicals as long as they are naturally derived. The sheep cannot have been treated with antibiotics or growth hormones either.

Their feed also has to come from organic sources certified by a third party auditor. As additional assurance that all wool is "100% Organic", GOTS requires that certified organic wool fabrics be processed only in facilities that are also GOTS certified.

USDA Organic certified wool products are not subject to any such limitations. Certified wool fibers can be dyed with a wide range of colors, and there is no restriction on finishing the fabric in various ways, for example, organic fabrics that have been mercerized or given tencel finishes still qualify as organic. 

How Are Organic Wool Yarns Cleaned?

Organic wool yarns are cleaned in a process called "wool scouring". What distinguishes wool scouring from the more conventional chemical treatments is that it employs natural mineral- or plant-based detergents instead of chlorine bleach, peroxide compounds like sodium permanganate (used for removing excess dye), petroleum distillates such as naphtha/petroleum spirits used with some greases on raw fibers before spinning. 

Also, no synthetic surfactants which could leave residues behind when they are rinsed off at completion.

The resultant "scoured" product can then be processed by methods ranging between wetting out followed by drying without further cleaning up any impurities if desired, or fully washed using hot soapy baths until all residue has been removed.

The wool is scoured by machines, usually stainless steel tanks with a rotating arm that stirs the material and scrapes off dirt from its surface while simultaneously bringing fresh water in contact so as to remove any impurities, or simply stirred mechanically for hours under running warm tap-water until all traces of organic matter have disappeared.

Conclusion

Buying organic wool bedding with organic certification is a great way to help the environment and your own health. Wool is a natural, environmentally-friendly material that has many benefits.

The best thing about organic bedding products is their durability. They're going to last longer than other fabrics so it will be worth every penny in savings from having less expenses on replacements because of wear over time.

To find the best organic wool products for home, check our wool comforter reviews, organic mattress reviews, as well as out list of the best organic bedding brands.