Bedding
Down vs. Wool Bedding: Which Is Better
Down vs. Wool Bedding
Are you looking for an alternative to a down-filled pillow, duvet insert, or comforter? Let us tell you about the wonders of wool-filled bedding.
When you think of a luxurious sleep environment, what comes to mind? If you said “a fluffy down comforter,” that’s not surprising. Down is a good product. But savvy marketers have sold consumers on the blissful story that down bedding creates a heavenly sleep environment beyond compare. When simply that’s not totally true. As bedding retailers since 1972, our experience with customers has taught us that down isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be.
The reality is, wool bedding out performs down. It’s not just our opinion or our experience: it’s science. To understand how wool bedding performs better than down-filled, let’s break down the science of down and wool.
The lowdown on down
What is down? Down is a layer of fine feathers that grows under the tougher exterior feathers of a bird. Baby birds have down first before they have feathers. Down used in commercial products (bedding, clothing, etc.) can come from geese or ducks, and it can be white or mixed with feathers. Short story: all down is not alike.
What does down do for a duck? The loose structure of down feathers traps air, insulating the duck’s body against heat loss. Down traps warmth (including perspiration and wetness) in against the duck’s skin in an effort to maintain stable body temperature. Ducks find this very useful, being outside creatures who live near and in cold water.
You’re not a duck (right?)
What’s an advantage for a duck is not exactly an advantage for people to sleep on, with, or underneath. Because well, Down simply makes people sleep ‘hot.’
Fact: when humans sleep, we give off a pint of liquid (i.e. perspiration or sweat) per night. That’s normal and healthy and doesn’t change much based on gender, age, body size, or body conditioning. A pint for all! Once expelled from your skin, this perspiration has to go somewhere. With down bedding, the moisture traps against your skin – just like if you were a duck. This leaves you hot, sweaty, cold, clammy, and maybe smelly.Eww! This isn’t an ideal sleeping situation, and we doubt you (and any sleep partner) will find this restful or romantic!
Down has two mortal enemies: moisture and oil. Moisture from body perspiration and/or humidity from the environment. Oil, from the natural oils that transfer from our skin onto our bedding, or oils from topically applied moisturizers that then transfer to bedding as the body warms up through the night.
More sobering news about down from Wikipedia: “…when [down] is wet, the thermal properties of [it] are virtually eliminated. Down clumps, if exposed to dampness or moisture, and will mildew if left in damp conditions. In addition, it will absorb and retain odors. Down feathers tend to become more allergenic as they age, and can become contaminated with molds and/or dust mites.” This is not very comforting news, is it?
Ever launder a down duvet, comforter, or pillow, only to find it’s lost its original shape and loft and never feels as fluffy and comfortable again? Cleaning down requires special care, very mild detergents, and air drying only — which, admittedly, can be a bit of a hassle when you’ve got a busy lifestyle, or live in very close quarters where line-drying isn’t feasible.
Finally, down is not hypoallergenic (people with sensitive skin and/or allergies, be warned). Down can also be significantly more expensive than other bedding options. (cha-ching).
Okay, now let’s talk about wool
Wool bedding is tried & true. It has been a favorite for generations and still popular today. People who love the great outdoors LOVE wool, here’s a few reasons why:
- Wool is naturally water resistant, which means it wicks moisture away from the body and allows it to evaporate quickly without becoming wet to the touch.
- Wool can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without you ever noticing!
- Wool outperforms cotton for activities in which body temperature rises, like jogging, hiking, and (yep) sleeping!
- Wool is naturally temperature-regulating.
- Wool is odor-resistant. If you sleep with a pet, then you’ll appreciate this! As good as Fido’s or Fluffy’s natural pet odor smells to you, you may not love the bouquet of odors he or she leaves on your bedding when you come back to it later.
- Wool is naturally fire-resistant.
- Wool is biodegradable. Gotta love an eco-friendly bedding option!
Why we love and always recommend wool bedding first
Bedrooms & More has been in business for over four decades. We’ve cultivated a reputation in Seattle, for only selling the best bedding products we can source. Products that will last the longest and be the most comfortable no matter what your budget is. We sell wool bedding because it continues to perform well over time. We have many different wool or wool-filled bedding items in-stock available both in-store and online:- Washable Wool Comforter – filled with 100% Belgian lamb’s wool
- Washable Wool Comforter Light – a lighter version of the above, perfect for hot sleepers
- Washable Wool Mattress Pad – all the benefits of wool plus stay-taut construction
- Washable Wool Blanket – perfect middle layer in your bedding or lovely on its own
- Washable Wool Pillow – breathable, hypoallergenic support for your head, neck, and shoulders
- Washable Wool Pillow Cover – antimicrobial and dust mite-resistant
- Washable Wool-Filled Topper – moisture-wicking, ample comfort, perfect for all-year round use
Down vs. wool bedding – the price difference
In a price comparison, you’ll quickly find that not all down is equal. Down filling is harvested from geese, duck, or other birds. ‘Down’ bedding can be comprised of only white down, or it can be mixed with feathers. Different fill compositions, different quality, and different retailers’ markups mean wildly varying price points across down products. Unless the tag says 100% down, you can’t be sure.
The same is true of wool. Wool can be harvested ethically and sustainably from alpaca, angora rabbits, camels, and (of course) sheep. Wool can be mixed with other fibers or it can perform beautifully alone. There’s not a clear comparison to make between the price of wool bedding and the price of down bedding, given all the variables. The true test is your comfort.
Looks like I am getting a wool comforter then:)
wool is warmer, but I like down because more comfortable 🙂
Can you add about how to wash wool bedding as well?
Thanks
The machine washable products (all labelled as washable wool) would be machine washed with cool or cold water, and tumbled dry with low or no heat.
Anything that is not labelled as washable wool should not be washed, but instead should be dry cleaned with no agitation and no heat.
will wool still wick moisture and regulate temperature if you use a sheet?
Yes. We recommend you use a sheet, but we do not recommend using a waterproof sheet so the moisture can still pass through as much as possible to the wool.
Thinking about getting the washable wool for someone who has bad night sweats. Could she return if it doesn’t work for her? Thanks!
Per our return policy, “For safety and hygiene reasons, we’re unable to accept returns and exchanges of any bedding or apparel merchandise that has been opened.” However, we do offer the loaning of mattress toppers for a couple of days to see if it’s the right fit for you. This isn’t an online service, but if you want to learn more you can call our sales line and someone will be happy to help you and your friend.