Devon Duvets Blog

Many of us want to know where our products are made, and what materials are used, so we’ve always been proud that our award-wining products are made right here, in Devon - and only ever using 100% natural products that are responsibly sourced and sustainable. It’s also especially important to us that, through our commitment to use only British wool, we are helping to support British farmers.

The wool inside our duvets, pillows and toppers is certified as traceable, high quality 100% British wool, by the British Wool organisation (formerly the British Wool Marketing Board). This is currently the only independent organisation that can certify wool as being 100% British and therefore the only way you can be sure that you are buying a 100% British wool product.

Working in collaboration with the British Wool organisation, we are able to take this process one step further. A new scheme means that we can fully trace our certified 100% British wool from farm gate to your duvet, topper or pillow, via a specific group of individual farms. Our selected group of farms are based mainly in Devon and across the Southwest of the UK. This means that:

• We can continue to ensure that the wool inside your Devon Duvets wool-filled bedding is the very best, high quality certified wool available, from a group of selected British farmers with the highest animal welfare standards.

• We can trace this wool from our chosen British farms through to our individually handcrafted products.

• Our farmers receive a fair price for their wool, over and above the market value, in return for supplying us with fully traceable wool. This helps to give extra support to the British farming industry, to keep producing and supplying our high quality wool.

• Whilst we’ve always been able to use a premium 100% British wool mark, our wool-filled bedding products will now also

Here, at Devon Duvets, we know all about wool and how amazing it is!  It’s been at the heart of our business for over 11 years and we’re proud that the wool we use for our duvets, pillows and toppers is 100% British wool, from our hard-working British farmers - and that each product is individually handcrafted by our brilliant seamstresses, here in Devon.

Wool is a wonderful and versatile fibre that has many uses, other than for the more common ones you will know about, such as bedding, carpets, furniture and clothes. We thought we’d share some of these with you – and there are some surprises along the way!

Mulch: Wool can be made into pads that have been designed to mulch your garden. The wool will help to supress weeds, retain moisture and regulate the temperature of the soil. As wool is 100% natural, it will biodegrade harmlessly over time, releasing valuable nutrients into the soil. You can also protect more delicate trees and larger plants in winter by wrapping wool around their trunks or stems.

Slug Pellets: Rather than using the more traditional type of slug pellets, that have chemicals harmful for birds, try slug pellets made from wool. The wool is compacted into small pellets that deter slugs and snails by absorbing the mucus they produce. They will need replacing regularly to ensure they don’t get too wet but wool pellets are safer for the wildlife in your garden and will break down naturally over time.

Garden String: An essential for green fingered enthusiasts! Usually made from jute, it can also be made from wool. Our favourite garden string is from Twool who, like us, are based in Devon and use 100% British wool to make their products.

Hugelkultur: Invented in the late 1970s in Germany, this method of gardening involves creating growing areas from the ground up. Start with all kinds of ‘waste

Sheep are amazing animals, producing fleeces that continually grow throughout their lives. Humans have been farming sheep for thousands of years, especially for their wool, which is a wonderful fibre. Temperature regulating and breathable, it makes the perfect fibre for clothing and bedding.

In fact, sheep are ‘woolly wonders’ and here are twelve facts about them that you might not have known:

ONE: There are over 1,000 different breeds of sheep and the UK has the highest number of breeds in the world – over 60! Wool from British sheep has been prized for over 2,000 years.

TWO: Sheep are naturally friendly. They can wag their tails, like dogs, and they form strong bonds with other sheep, goats…and people.

THREE: Sheep are known to self-medicate when they have some illnesses. They instinctively choose and eat specific plants that they know will help them feel better.

FOUR: Sheep are intelligent and have a similar IQ to cattle. In fact, they are nearly as clever as pigs and are capable of problem solving.

FIVE: Sheep have excellent memories and can remember up to 50 individual sheep and people for years. Hand reared lambs will bond very quickly with their human ‘parents’.

SIX: Sheep are very sociable. They are highly independent from birth and like to be in a group. They are able to communicate different emotions through various vocalisations and will also move their ears to show differing emotions.

SEVEN: Sheep were considered to be sacred for thousands of years. The Ancient Sumerians (4,000 – 2,000 BCE) immortalised sheep in the form of their gods, as did the Ancient Egyptians (3,200 BCE – 30 AD), who also mummified them when they died.

EIGHT: A sheep’s fleece will grow for ever. Depending on the breed, a sheep will produce between two and thirty pounds of wool a

Although we do give care instructions on our website, we often hear from customers who want to chat to us about their wool duvets and asking how they can put as much love into taking care of them as we do in making them!

We thought it would be a good idea to talk about that here, in our blog, and also pass on some helpful information and advice.

Your Devon Duvets certified 100% British wool duvet is individually handcrafted by our talented seamstresses and only using high quality materials. As with any high quality wool product, it does need some extra TLC - but it is worth it to ensure that your investment in night after night of healthy sleep lasts as long as possible.

We only ever use certified 100% British wool in our duvets because we are committed to supporting British farmers - and the British wool we’ve selected is of excellent quality. This wool is carefully washed (known as ‘scouring’) in British mills without the use of bleach or chemicals, so it remains 100% natural. After the mill then needles the wool to create soft fluffy layers, it is brought to our workshops where our seamstresses can cut and encase it in beautifully soft, 260 thread count 100% cotton.

Wool is a wonderful fibre and is naturally hypo allergenic and hygienic as it is resistant to dust mites and the build-up of micro bacteria. As a result, it doesn’t need washing very often and, in fact, the less you wash it the better the wool fibres will perform. Your duvet can be kept fresh by regular airing and this can be done whenever you change your bedlinen but at least once every few weeks. Hang the duvet up on a line outside if the weather is dry, but if not, then over a clothes airer, top of your bedroom door or the back of a chair near an open window for a few hours will do the trick!

If there is a need to wash your wool duvet, then here are our top Do’s and Don’ts to make sure it stays as soft and snuggly as possible:

• DO use only a 30 d

On the 22nd April, the world stops and pauses for Earth Day.

On this day, more and more of us make a conscious effort to conserve energy, and think about our impact on our beautiful planet.

We can all make a difference, however small it may seem at the time – and at Devon Duvets, sustainability and our impact on the environment is always at the heart of every decision we make throughout the year.

For example, we only ever use 100% certified British wool in our award-winning wool bedding. We buy our wool from British farmers who only shear in the Spring and Summer, when the sheep naturally need to lose their winter fleeces. Our wool is then cleaned in British mills, without the use of bleachor chemicals, and needled into a soft fluffy layer. The wool is then individually hand stitched into 100% natural cotton casings by our expert seamstresses, here in Devon. So when you buy a wool duvet from us, you can be confident you are getting a product that’s 100% sustainable and 100% natural.

As an alternative to wool, our 100% plant-based Botanic duvets are made with fibres containing TENCEL™Lyocell, created from certified sustainable wood sources, through an Eco award-winning process. As with our 100% British wool duvets, each of our Botanic duvets is handcrafted by our seamstresses at our Devon workshops. Also an award-winner, our Botanic range was the first bedding of its type to be registered by the Vegan Society.

In fact, our aim is to be sustainable in our everyday processes here at our Devon workshops, and this includes our long-held commitment to achieving a ‘zero waste’ policy. We’re almost there and are proud to say that over 99% of everything we produce in terms of ‘waste’ is either reused or recycled. For example, one well known rubber glove brand creates the lining for their gloves using offcuts from our beautifully soft 100% natural cotton mattress topper casings!

Staycations are likely to prove even more popular this year, especially now that we are all hoping to be out and about a bit more in the coming weeks. For those of us lucky enough to have our own travelling ‘home from home’ in the form of a motorhome, campervan or caravan, now is the time to start planning your adventures – and adding one or two luxurious elements to make your nights out on the road even comfier!

If you’re a newbie to the joys of travelling by campervan, then we’ve also shared some useful tips for your first time on the road, a bit further down in the blog.

First up…we all know that campervan beds can sometimes be just a little unyielding, but you can boost those comfort levels with a mattress topper. After a long drive or busy day exploring, you’ll want to wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the next day ahead. Here at Devon Duvets, we’ve been making award-winning wool mattress toppers for nearly 10 years. Made from certified 100% British wool, encased in soft, natural 100% brushed cotton, each topper is individually handcrafted by our seamstresses, here in our Devon workshops. In addition to making toppers for all bed sizes, our clever seamstresses are also able to turn their hands to creating toppers to convert your campervan or caravan bed into a blissful haven of sleep.

Just contact us with the measurements, to include details of any ‘cut out’ sections or angles to fit round bulkheads or cabinets and we’ll come back to you with a price and delivery time.

So that’s the comfort element underneath you sorted…but what about some extra comfort on top? Our range of 100% natural, 100% sustainable duvets are also perfect for helping you achieve a restful night’s sleep. You can choose from warmer weights right down to ultralight duvets and our fillings include certified 100% British wool, Limited Edition 100% British alpaca, 100% silk and our 100% plant-based, B

To ensure a comfy night’s sleep, it’s important to have a pillow that gives you proper support – and we know that once you’ve found a special pillow that’s just right for you, it’s very hard to sleep on anything else.

What is the right height pillow for me?

First of all, you need to find one that is the right height for the way you sleep. If you are a side sleeper then, ideally, you will need to look at a pillow that’s medium to firm and high enough to fill the gap between the mattress and your head. The pillow also needs to keep your spine as straight as possible, to avoid neck pain. If you are a back sleeper, then opt for a fairly firm pillow to support your neck but one that doesn’t push your head too far forward. If you are someone who likes to sleep on their stomachs, you’ll need a softer, lower pillow to avoid your head being pushed back and putting strain on your neck.

What is the best kind of filling for a pillow?

Fillings that are made of 100% natural materials are breathable, so are more hygienic than synthetic blends that tend not to be moisture-wicking whilst you sleep. There are many different kinds of pillow fillings out there but if you are after one that’s 100% natural, then wool is a terrific option. Wool is resistant to dust mites, so is perfect if you suffer from allergies such asthma or eczema. Wool is breathable and has moisture-wicking properties, so it is resistant to the build-up of micro bacteria.  A good, regular, airing helps to keep the wool nice and fresh. Wool is naturally fire retardant too.

Is there more than one type of wool pillow?

Most wool pillows are made by enclosing loose wool inside a completely sealed and stitched casing. However, at Devon Duvets, we make two types of pillows – our Original wool pillow and our unique, patented Folding wool pillows.

Our Original wool pillows are well stuffed with 1kg of springy, loose wool and we put a zip in the casin

International Women's Day started way back in 1911 and was given a new energy in 2001, with people and businesses starting to recognise the day’s significance and giving it a voice.

The world has witnessed a significant change in thoughts about women's equality.  There are more women in the boardroom, greater equality and impressive role models in every aspect of life.

But there are still barriers that need dismantling. We need to talk about the taboo subjects...such as the menopause. Half of the population will go through this and yet we are only just beginning to understand how it can affect us. For years, doctors dismissed women as insane, and the Victorians had very unusual ways of treating it. Anyone for a concoction of carbonated soda before mealtimes with the occasional dash of opium? Followed by a trip to the asylum for a few months!

Today, there are a variety of homeopathic remedies, a plethora of home-made tips, treatments from your GP, but the biggest problem to solve is the night sweats that can make sleep impossible.

Here at Devon Duvets, we regularly speak to customers with this particular issue and are able to help by suggesting they choose bedding made from 100% natural materials, as these are breathable. Our lightweight wool duvets are particularly helpful, and many customers find these are suitable year-round in helping to regulate their body temperature whilst they sleep. Wool is also naturally resistant to dust mites and so if you also suffer from allergies, our wool duvets will help to alleviate this. Our lightweight range also includes duvets made from 100% British alpaca, 100% silk and our 100% plant-based Botanic range. 

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