The unique properties of wool

Sheep are shorn once or twice per year, depending on the quality requested. This is a 100% natural and renewable resource. Wool grows back rapidly into a new fleece to protect the sheep. Then the sheep is shorn again. This way it moves in circles. This is the very definition of renewability. 

Wool fibers are shaped like a coiled spring. The waviness of the fiber creates pockets of air trapping body heat and creating insulation against the colder surroundings. In addition, wool wicks moisture away from the skin, keeping you dry and warm. And even more fascinating: When wool contracts moisture it simultaneously produces heat (exothermic reaction). Likewise, on warm days the insulating and moisture wicking properties of wool keep you dry and cooled. These are the properties causing us to say that wool breathes.

Wool has a tremendous capacity to absorb vapor – up to 30% of its own weight before it feels damp or wet. In other words, wool keeps you warm even when wet. This is due to microscopic pores in the wool fiber absorbing moisture and transporting it to the core of the fiber. The surface of the fiber stays dry. This provides a dry layer of air next to your skin, helping you to maintain your body temperature. In addition, the before mentioned exothermic reaction causes the wool to actually produce heat. 

The wool’s ability to absorb moisture is the direct cause for it being odor resistant as well. Dry skin minimizes the breeding ground for bacteria and thus odor. Odor is generated when the natural bacteria flora of our skin breaks down body moisture. High moisture generates body odor, little moisture does not. Simple as that. In addition, the complex structure of the wool fiber encapsulates odor, only to release them when the garment is washed or aired.

Wool is by nature water and dirt resistant. This is caused by overlapping shells on the wool fiber’s surface, arranged like roof tiles. This reduces the intrusion of water and dirt. Thus, it can be easily brushed off. Due to this, wool garments require less washing than other garments. It can be refreshed simply by hanging in fresh air. Not only does this lower the environmental impact of washing, it also prolongs the lifespan of the garment. High-quality wool is very durable and have proved to have longer lifespan than other textiles. Wool garments are also more often reused and recycled than other garments.

The coiled spring shape of the wool fiber enables it to be stretched up to 50% when wet and 30% when dry, and still return to its natural shape. Wool fibers can be bent up to 20.000 times without breaking. Corresponding numbers for cotton are 3.000 times. This elasticity provides for a very strong and durable fiber, contributing to wool garments ability to keep their shape for longer time. Still, you need to handle your wool garment with care. Be careful when stretching your garment, especially when wet.

Wool is the least flammable of all of nature’s fibers. The structure of the wool fiber, combined with its high content of nitrogen and water, requires very high temperatures before catching fire. Wool doesn’t melt, drip, attach to the skin or cause burns. Wool is self-extinguishing, once removed from the flames it will extinguish immediately.