Wool - the superior fibre choice for everyone
Natural or synthetic? The safety and performance of our clothes is defined by our choices in fabric fibres. The textile industry uses a variety of natural and synthetic fibres in their production, and each fibre has its own unique impact on our environment. Thus, it is up to us consumers to help steer the industry towards sustainable and renewable fibres with minimal ecological impact. Wool fibres has a long and versatile presence in the history of fabric productions and even today, sheep herding is still invaluable too many families survival around the world in the form of steady income.
The high performance of wool fabrics is defined by its many natural properties.
Wool is hair that naturally grows on sheep and is a 100% natural fibre made of keratin. When wool is used in clothing, the active wool fibres will create a microclimate with our skin to find a natural equilibrium, where the skin is able to breathe naturally and prevent moisture build-ups from sweat. Cropped fibres or synthetic fibres are not as efficient in providing warmth as woollen fibres and retain little to none of the moisture absorption abilities possessed by wool. For example, cotton can only absorb and release half (50%) of the moisture that wool fibres are able to manage. Furthermore wool fibres can absorb up to one third of its own weight in moisture vapour, which help you feel dry and comfortable while wearing your garments. The odour molecules in sweat are absorbed by the wool fibres and are evaporated together with the moisture during airing which prevents bacteria from settling in the fabric. This makes woollen fabrics easy to use and maintain since frequent washing is not necessary.
Furthermore wool fibres has a protective outer layer which repels dirt particles and prevents the build-up of static electricity, which significantly reduce the settlement rate of dust and lint. Wool fibres also absorb UV radiation and is comparable to SPF30 sun screen. The complex chemical structure of wool fibres helps them to be flame resistant and are significantly harder to ignite than other natural fibres. However, if wool fibres were to ignite the fibres never melts onto to your skin and have a self-extinguishing effect. These excellent flame retardant properties make wool a trusted material choice in many commercial areas where safety is a priority, including on board the International Space Station.
Skin irritation and allergenic reactions are caused by coarse fibres that protrude from the fabric and stimulate nerve receptors on the skin. However, the superfine fibres in merino wool will bend when in close contact to our skin, thereby provide an air barrier causing little to no skin irritation. The wool garment will basically function as an extension of our skin and provide the wearer with its many beneficiary properties. All of these outstanding characteristics led the Allergy Standards Limited (ASL), an independent international organization to recognized merino wool products as ’Asthma and Allergy friendly’.
Our wool clothing
All clothing available in our shop is made of the highest quality merino virgin wool or from a blend of merino virgin wool and mulberry silk and certified according to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). To be certified according to this highest standard, the wool is organically harvested from Merino sheep, who live in their natural environments. Pesticides are never used on the pastures nor come into direct contact with the animals themselves. You find more information on the GOTS process in the references listed below. The term virgin wool, or pure new wool, refers to wool that was sheered directly from living sheep and has only been processed once. Our merino virgin wool clothes feels soft, comfortable and do not itch. Wearing our merino wool clothes is a luxury for your baby’s skin.
References
www.global-standard.org/certification-and-labelling/certification
Leave a comment