An image of fluffy white clouds against a light blue sky, representing the comfort, breathability and moisture wicking abilities of Devon Duvets' wool bedding, promoting a better night's sleep.

At Devon Duvets, we created the UK’s original British wool duvet over 14 years ago, because we wanted to find a way to help people sleep better. This was swiftly followed by our British wool toppers and pillows. Wool has many beneficial properties when it comes to bedding. It’s breathable and temperature regulating, helping to keep your core body temperate in balance whilst you sleep. It has moisture wicking abilities, keeping humidity levels down in your bedding, thereby making it naturally resistant to dust mites and the build-up of micro bacteria. This means that wool is also hypoallergenic and more hygienic.

Has wool been scientifically proven to be more beneficial?

Research undertaken by scientists at Sydney University compared bedding made from different fibres – and wool came out on top! Not only that but they also found that sleepwear made from wool outperformed those made from cotton, polyester or polycotton blends. So, here’s the science:

Wool helps increase the REM stage of sleep

It was found that the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of sleep increased when participants in the research slept with wool bedding. The participants reported feeling better in the morning and having improved sleep quality. Additionally, sleeping on a wool topper (or underblanket) was found to provide comfort to pressure points and feel reassuring.

Wool and the Sleep Microclimate

Scientists believe the benefits of wool bedding are related to wool’s breathability and superior moisture management – the ability to keep us dry and comfortable. Wool fibre is approximately twice as effective as cotton at moving moisture vapour through fabric and 10 times better than polyester. During sleep, wool helps moisture flow outwards from the body, keeping you drier and comfier than other fibres. This is known as ‘buffering’ and is the key to wool’s moisture wicking ability.

How does wool 'moisture wick'?

We all release moisture when we sleep and as this evaporates, the relative humidity of the microclimate next to the skin increases. Wool fibres react by increasing their moisture vapour content, which slows the rate of rise in humidity next to the skin. As moisture levels decrease, the fibres release the stored moisture. The result is that the wool fibres help to evaporate sweat, which is important for temperature regulation whilst we sleep.

Why is wool hypoallergenic?

Because of wool’s efficient moisture wicking properties, this creates a dry environment that is hostile to the growth of micro bacteria and makes it naturally resistant to dust mites, who love nothing better than damp, humid bedding conditions. Fibres made from synthetic fibres or blends are made from materials with a chemistry that is similar to plastic, so they capture sweat and hold it, not allowing the sweat to evaporate and adding to the humidity levels in your bed.

Our wool duvets, toppers and pillows are individually handcrafted, here in Devon, using certified traceable British wool from farmers we know. Our wool is natural and is chemical free, to ensure it retains as many of its wonderful properties as possible. To find out more about our award-winning British wool bedding, just get in touch with the team and we’ll be happy to help find the best sleep solution for you.