Monthly Archives: February 2021

The World Sleep Society (WSS) promotes and celebrates World Sleep Day each year. This year is the 14^th annual World Sleep Day and it’s set for 19^th March 2021. The aim of World Sleep Day is for sleep professionals to advocate and educate the world about the importance of sleep as part of a healthy lifestyle and the theme of this year’s event is ‘Regular Sleep, Healthy Future’.

Studies show that stable bedtimes and rise times are important for establishing good sleep patterns and helps with better moods, psychomotor performance and academic achievement. The Word Sleep Society recommends 10 steps that will help achieve healthy sleep.

1. Fix a bedtime and an awakening time.
2. If you are in the habit of taking a nap, do not exceed 45 minutes of daytime sleep.
3. Avoid excessive alcohol ingestion 4 hours before bedtime and do not smoke.
4. Avoid caffeine 6 hours before bedtime – this includes coffee, tea and many soft drinks, as well as chocolate.
5. Avoid heavy, spicy or sugary foods 4 hours before bedtime. A light snack before bed is acceptable.
6. Exercise regularly, but not right before bed.
7. Use comfortable bedding (we’ll get to this further down!).
8. Find a comfortable temperature setting for sleeping and keep the room well ventilated (you’ll find further details on this below).
9. Block out all distracting noise and eliminate as much light as possible.
10. Don’t use the bed as an office, workroom or recreation room – in other words it is best to avoid the use of ‘screen’ time in the bedroom.

The best bedroom temperature for sleep is approximately 18 degrees (Celsius). This may vary from person to person but if you do use heating in your bedroom overnight, then most doctors recommend keeping the thermostat between approximately 16 degrees and 19 degrees for the most comfortable sleep.

Now to the very important issue of bedding! Bedding t

At Devon Duvets, looking after our planet is at the heart of everything we do – and that’s why all of our duvets, pillows and bedding are made from responsibly sourced, environmentally friendly, 100% natural materials. We initially founded our business making our award-winning wool filled bedding, using 100% British wool so that we could support British farmers. We then designed and created our Botanic duvets so that we could also offer a 100% plant-based option – and we’re proud that these duvets are the only bedding product of their type registered by the Vegan Society.

Here are five reasons why our customers love their Botanic duvet.

1. The filling of our Botanic duvets contains TENCEL™Lycocell, which is a 100% natural, ethical fibre, derived from certified and controlled sustainable wood sources. It is processed using an Eco award-wining process and then needled into soft fluffy layers. TENCEL™Lycocell fibres are fully traceable, so you can be sure you are buying a 100% plant-based product. Other plant-based fibres, such as bamboo, are not fully traceable once processed, so it’s reassuring to know that when we say your Botanic duvet is 100% plant-based, that’s exactly what you are getting.

2. The 300 thread count duvet casing also contains TENCEL™Lycocell, woven to our strict specifications. Your Botanic duvet will be individually handcrafted by our expert seamstresses to ensure the layers of filling are stitched into the casing, creating a  duvet with a beautiful drape, that does not require shaking and does not clump.

3. We do not use glues, bonding agents or artificial interlining so there is nothing except what nature intended next to your skin. Your Botanic duvet is breathable and also has moisture wicking properties, so will help with temperature regulation whilst you sleep.

4. As our Botanic duvets are made from 100% natural products, your duvet won’t clog up landfill for decades when it’s time to replace

Wool cloth production in Britain started in the Bronze Age, in around 1900 BC, although fleece from domesticated sheep had been used for warmth as early as 6,000 BC. Initially, wool was combed from the sheep during the time they lost their fleece in the warmer months, with the first evidence of shearing, dating back to the Iron Age.

Even before the dawning of the 1^st century, the Ancient Britons had already developed a woven wool industry. In fact, when the Romans arrived on our shores in 55 BC, British wool cloth was considered a luxury item. The Romans were so impressed by British woven wool cloth that they established a wool plant in Winchester in 50 AD, to further develop the skills of British weavers and ensure a steady supply of this prized item. By the 4^th century, the British birrus (hooded cape) was amongst the highest prized and most desirable items listed in The Edict of Diocletian, a summary of traded goods across the Roman Empire.

Britain continued to export woollen fabrics to mainland Europe, and beyond, throughout the next few centuries, and this gathered momentum after the Norman Conquest in 1066 to such an extent that by the 12^th century, wool was England’s greatest national asset. Over the next 500 years, Flemish master weavers settled in the UK, followed by Huguenot weavers from France, all adding their unique skills to the production of British wool cloth. By the end of the 17^th century wool cloth amounted to over 65% of the value of British exports. Throughout this time, the wool trade created some of Britain’s wealthiest merchants, who then made sizeable donations towards the building of churches, schools and universities.

With the Industrial Revolution in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, mechanical processes for spinning and weaving British wool meant that Britain was able to produce considerably more cloth for the domestic and international market, wit