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Econation Blog
The benefits of wool
There are many benefits of using wool for garments, textiles, carpets and insulation. The following list of benefits has been provided by The Campaign for Wool which was set up to promote the use of wool.
Wool growing has declined over many years as the competition from cheaper synthetic fibres, often oil-based, has made it cheaper for farmers NOT to shear sheep (i.e. the cost of shearing a sheep is more than the farmer will get for the fleece.
The benefits of wool are:
Natural and Renewable
Wool is a natural fibre. It has evolved to produce a fabric that has become one of the most effective natural forms of all-weather protection known to man.
Every year sheep produce a new fleece, making wool a renewable fibre source. Woolgrowers actively work to improve efficiency and care for natural resources, endeavouring to make the wool industry sustainable for future generations.
Safe
Wool has a naturally high UV protection, which is much higher than most synthetics and cotton.
Fire Retardant
A fabric made entirely of wool doesn’t readily catch fire. Even if it does, it burns slowly and self-extinguishes when the source of the flame is removed.
Biodegradable
When a natural Merino wool fibre is disposed of it takes only a few years to decompose and can be used to put fertility into soil for crop growing. Most synthetics on the other hand, are extremely slow to degrade.
Breathable
Wool has a large capacity to absorb moisture vapour and sweat next to the skin making it extremely breathable.
Durable
A wool fibre can be bent 20,000 times without breaking and still have the power to recover and return to its natural shape, this reduces the need to replace garments and top quality wool products stay looking good for longer.
Easy Care
Wool's fibres have a natural protective layer which prevents stains from being absorbed, they also pick up less dust as they are static resistant.
Recent innovations mean wool garments are no longer hand-wash only, many wool garments can now be machine-washed and tumble dried.
Multi-climatic
Wool is active, reacting to changes in ones body temperature to keep you warm when you’re cold but releasing heat and moisture when you’re hot.
Natural Insulator
Wool can insulate the home providing and retaining warmth; reducing energy costs.
Elastic
The natural elasticity of the wool fibre means it stretches with the wearer, but then returns to its natural shape, so there is less chance of garments sagging or losing their shape.
The main players in The Campaign for Wool are representatives of the International Wool Textile Organisation, representatives of the British Wool Marketing Board, representatives of Australian Wool Innovation, and key industry figures from the National Sheep Association, New Zealand, Norway and important sheep producing nations of the world.
The Campaign also embraces leading figures from the fashion industry, the decorating and design industry, the wool carpets industry and the world of insulation and building. The Campaign works closely with manufacturers and retailers across the world
Visit their website here:
http://www.campaignforwool.org/
Posted by Michael Lockhart on 17th June, 2011 | Comments | Trackbacks
Tags: General Sustainability, Design for sustainability
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