Do you know the versatility of wool and how many different ways you can use wool in and around your home? You may be surprised at some of the uses.
Wool has been utilized for centuries in many different aspects of people’s lives. Here are 5 places in your home that you can use wool…
- Wardrobe
- Bedroom
- Kitchen
- Laundry
- Living Space
Wool can be used in these 5 places in your home and more. Read on to see how versatile wool can be.
When I think about wool, it makes me feel good. I know that is a funny statement. But it does, in so many different ways. From the way, I feel when I wear it, keeping me warm like no other fiber, to knowing it is eco-friendly.
#1 Wardrobe: Wool Clothing
Clothing and Footwear
This is sort of the obvious use for wool that most of us know about. Clothing has been made out of wool for centuries. The earliest known evidence of clothing woven from wool was around 3000 BC, before that wool pelts were worn for it’s warming benefit.
Yes, wool has a reputation for being itchy, and I explain that in my post, Why Is Wool Itchy? 3 Reasons Why. So you might not think it is a good choice for clothing or shoes. But not all wool is created equal.
Seeing Wool In A Different Light
It is now time to reconsider wool and change your thinking about wool clothing. Because wool has come a long, long way.
Modern techniques and years of careful breeding make it a viable fabric that has so many wonderful and sustainable qualities, with Merino Wool being my number one choice for attire.
Last year I did some research to invest in some clothes for a trip to Europe that I am planning. I want to travel light so I need clothes that are lightweight, and packable. My research led me to Merino wool. What I was finding was very astonishing.
These are some of the features in the pieces I purchased.
- Extreme warmth without bulk
- Maintains insulation when wet
- Breathable & moisture wicking
- Repels moisture
- Odor destroying
- Quick-drying
- Ultra-soft feel
100% Merino wool and machine washable in cold water delicate cycle.
Important, laundering wool in alkaline detergents can ruin it. Always use soap made for wool.
Amazing, you can put wool clothing in the washer and dryer. Which I have and it has come out great. You just need to take care not to wash it in hot water. Use proper pH balanced soap, not alkaline. Do not over-dry it in the dryer too hot or too long. Some of the vintage wool pieces that I bought second hand, I do wash them by hand in wool safe soap and let them air dry on towels flat.
How I Hand Wash Some Of My Wool Pieces
- Using the kitchen sink or any basin that the garment will fit in will do, I put tepid water, not too cold and not too hot.
- I add a small amount of wool safe soap. I use my homemade laundry soap which is low suds soap and more wool friendly. Give it a good swish to mix it well.
- Then I submerge the garment into the water and leave it there for a few hours or more. Sometimes I leave it overnight depending on how heavy the garment is and how dirty.
- After the soak is done, take it out carefully trying to keep it sort of balled up. You don’t want it to start stretching out of shape.
- I then squeeze it, keeping it balled up, NEVER TWIST!
- It will still have a lot of water in it, so then I next take several towels folded in half one at a time. Lay the article of clothing on the towel and roll it like a jelly roll. I do this two or three times with dry towels each time.
- When I have as much water out as I can possibly get out with this method, I lay it out on another dry towel. The best would be a drying screen, if you would like to purchase one instead of using towels. If you’re really creative you can make your own drying screen. Since I do not have a drying screen at this time I just do it this way.
- The next step is crucial! You need to block your garment and what that means is you basically put into its original shape. So I flatten it out and square off the corners and edges while it is flat. I give it some tugs here and there to make sure the length is right. It does shrink up a bit but that is why this step is important.
- Then I leave it a day or two, usually giving it a flip onto a new dry towel until it is completely dry. Store in a folded position in a drawer or shelf and or folded and hung over a hanger.
Money-Saving Buying Tip When Purchasing Wool Clothing
I do not know about you, but I like quality stuff over quantity any day. I love scouring the thrift stores to find deals on wool articles of clothing. I like to shop on the days they offer further discounts in the thrift stores.
I have gotten some great sweaters. The most recent find was a Vintage Black 100% Australian Wool sweater with a velvet collar and leather buttons for $4 in great shape! I also found a vintage Banana Republic 100% Merino Wool pullover and a vintage 100% Merino wool Lands End cardigan. Both for under $4. Those are my favorite pieces of wool clothing I wear during the winter.
So check out a thrift store or two and see what treasures you can find and save some money to boot! Plus the bonus is you are keeping something out of a landfill. Although wool does biodegrade nicely.
Shoes
Shoes are another item of clothing that wool makes better. There has always been the classic wool and cork clog that I have seen around for years. But now shoe manufacturers are seeing the benefits of wool for shoes and going with it.
Many name-brand shoe companies, such as Clarks, Dr. Scholls, Steve Madden, and even Nike. Must be something to say for wool if it has made it to Nike. I found a cute pair of wool Sperry’s .
Wool is a natural water repellant that can help keep your feet dry if you get caught in a rainstorm in your wool shoes. Coupled with some wool socks, your feet will thank you.
Socks
Wool socks are a great staple to have in your wardrobe. With all the benefits mentioned above, your feet will stay happy. Here is one of my favorite picks for heavy-duty warm winter wool socks, Wigwam.
#2 Using Wool In The Bedroom
Bedding
Wool in the bedroom. Wool has been used for bedding since the dawn of civilization. Mattresses were made of wool if you were wealthy enough and the bedding was made from linen or cotton just as most of it is today.
Wool mattresses are making a comeback, not because of necessity. It’s because more and more consumers are looking for healthier alternatives in their lives.
A wool mattress eliminates the need for chemical flame retardants which over time is inhaled as you sleep with the off-gassing of these chemicals in modern mass-produced mattresses. Just think about what we are exposing ourselves to and our children.
Wool also keeps you warm in the winter and cooler in the summer to resist odors. Again it also repels mold and mildew plus, don’t forget, it is also hypoallergenic. It is a win-win if you want a healthier way to sleep!
Money-Saving Buying Tip When Looking To Buy A Wool Mattress
If you are in the market for better sleep, wool is the way to go. If it is not in your budget for a new wool mattress which can be quite expensive, then go for an alternative starter as in a wool mattress topper, and let the sheep counting begin! A wool mattress topper is reasonably priced compared to a whole mattress of wool.
There are many websites offering wool mattresses. For me, I am going to attempt to make my own, time permitting. This way I will know exactly what is in my mattress. It will be in the style of a futon.
Since I started sleeping on a futon mattress, I have gotten the best sleep! It is unbelievable, something so simple as a futon mattress which is made of just layers of cotton covered by a cotton cover could give me the best sleep! It has been the best thing for my back and sleepless nights! I anticipate a futon made of wool would be the ultimate in comfort.
Blankets
Ah wool blankets, I love them! I now have two in my collection. One was given to me by my friend and one I splurged on at a vintage resale shop. I found this gorgeous vintage Montgomery Ward pink & beige wool blanket. The colors were so unique, I have never seen anything like it. It is in a floral design.
#3 Wool Uses In The Kitchen
Potholders
Felted, knitted or crochet wool can make great potholders and trivets in the kitchen. Wool does not melt and is self-extinguishing which is great if it accidentally gets caught on fire.
Repurposed, crochet or knitted sponges made from wool makes a great reusable sponge. Re-useable sponges are great for the environment and save considerable amounts of money.
Something to consider, wool can get felted in the laundry process if it is not carefully washed. Suggested cool to warm water and limited drying time.
If your not crafty to make your own potholders or sponges, etc., you can easily purchase handmade sponges, potholders, and trivets online.
Rugs
Rugs for the kitchen made out of wool is a better choice than a synthetic rug. Wool rugs are stain-resistant and also repel water. Wool rugs are a great rug for your bathroom too, for reasons I just stated.
Grease Filters
I found a company that offers wool kitchen disposable grease filters instead of the standard metal filters in your exhaust hood over your stove. They claim that their product collects up to 98% airborne grease when the standard metal filter only collects up to 40% of airborne grease. The less airborne grease in your exhaust filter pipes the less chance for a fire.
Restaurants like McDonald’s, Marriot Hotels and Resorts and IGA use wool grease filters to reduce the risk of fire.
#4 Laundry Benefits From Wool
In The Dryer
I bet you’re having a hard time thinking about how wool can be used in the laundry. Here is how.
Felted wool balls for your dryer are a natural fabric softener. Wool dryer balls also reduce wrinkles and cut down on static. Another thing that cuts down on static, is not overdrying your clothes.
Wool dryer balls are a great natural, reusable item that can save you money and be good on the environment and your health.
Dryer sheets release toxic chemicals into your home and to the outside world through the dryer vent. Commercial dryer sheets leave a residue on your clothing that rubs off on your skin and can be toxic to your body.
These manufacturers of commercial laundry and cleaning products are not required by law to check for the safety of their products on the people’s health or the environment. Therefore they can get away with using whatever they want, whether it is good for us or not. This is why it is important to be proactive with your health and the health of your family.
#5 Living Space
Wool is an excellent insulator for your home! There are so many benefits that beat out the traditional sources.
Manufacturers of products used to build homes use a plethora of harmful chemicals. These chemicals leach into the air of your new home, from the wood, used to build your home right down to the paint on the walls.
Wools footprint on the earth during manufacturing is a smaller footprint than industry-standard insulation production. While wool is being produced you have sheep grazing in pastures until ready to be sheared. Compared to man-made fabrics in environmentally unfriendly factories.
90 percent less energy is used in the production of sheep wool insulation, while the manufacturing process of mineral wool is so much more energy greedy. Just one more thing to consider when looking for healthier alternatives to living.
The structure of the wool fiber is very effective as an insulator. Here are some of the benefits that wool does as an insulator.
- Traps air for added warmth in cold and added coolness in the heat
- Traps moisture which keeps mold and mildew at bay in your walls
- Traps harmful chemicals that are in your home environment and holds it, which stops these chemicals from continuing to circulate throughout the home
- Minimum 90% noise reduction.
- Self-extinguishing from fire
- Can have an R-value up to >4.0
- Retains R-value
- Comes in many different installation medias
There is no mindful comparison when it comes to the benefits of wool as an insulator for your home or other insulation needs. If you are serious about your health than this is the only choice for you to surround yourself in.
HaveLock Wool is a company I found on the internet that offers wool insulation for building construction and even van insulation for van life dwellers.
In conclusion, when it comes to the versatility of wool, I have only touched on a small amount of all the useful ways wool can be used in and around your home.
