Myths Surrounding Down & Wool

When it comes to pillows and bedding products, some people will always love down, while others prefer wool. Unfortunately, a common issue is the misconceptions retailers, salespeople, and consumers have about each product. The problem mainly lies in how products are educated and trained when presented to the end purchaser. Those who love wool tend to dislike down and therefore view it negatively, and the same can be said for those who don't promote or feature wool products. This overview clears up common misconceptions about wool and down pillows, bedding, and mattress toppers.

Down

1. Myth: Down is an Allergen and Dust-Mite Haven. This is inaccurate; in fact, all our down products from St Geneve feature a dust-mite-proof and down-proof outer shell ticking. The natural oils in down actually inhibit the buildup of moisture and bacteria. If down is cleaned correctly, such as with St Geneve’s Zurguard system, it retains this essential coating to prevent allergen buildup.
2. Myth: Wool Is Hypoallergenic and Down Is Not. (We love this one). This is a common statement you will find in most organic mattress stores. All of St Geneve’s down is cleaned to the highest standards by the Zurguard cleaning system, guaranteeing the product is hypoallergenic.
3. Myth: Down Sleeps Hot. Actually, quality down offers the widest range in terms of temperature regulation. Like wool, down varies in quality, which will, of course, affect its temperature-regulating effectiveness. The more mature the down, the greater the chance for a broader temperature range. The key is that mature down, like eiderdown, has numerous tiny air pockets that act as a great insulator yet also allow water vapour to pass through, creating a cooler sleep environment. This is why quality down is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Wool

1. Myth: Wool Has Highly Allergenic Properties. Like down and the dust-mite theory, this is baseless and often comes from blogs or websites run by mattress or bedding companies that don't use wool in their products. Wool allergies are, in fact, often mistaken for wool sensitivity, whereas actual allergic reactions are exceedingly rare. Some wool products are washed with harsh chemicals that may cause a reaction; however, our pure virgin and organic wool products are washed only with vegetable-based soaps and hot water.
2. Myth: Wool Sleeps Hot. Another common misconception similar to down is that wool products make you very hot. Part of the confusion is that people often wear wool socks or sweaters to keep warm during cooler weather. The truth is wool regulates your body temperature by absorbing up to 30% of its weight in moisture, keeping your body neither too warm nor too cool, just like down.
3. Myth: Wool Is A Haven For Pests and Bacteria. Wool does not attract pests and is not a haven for bacteria. In fact, wool resists dust mites significantly. Wool naturally creates a cool, dry sleep environment, which helps reduce the likelihood of dust mites. The second step is to cover your duvet, pillows, or mattress with a dust-mite-proof cover or protector if dust mites or other known allergens are a health concern for you.

This overview shows that wool and down products have similar characteristics that can enhance your sleep environment. How you choose your mattress, duvet, pillows, and bedding products will largely depend on your comfort, needs, and style. When purchasing products made from natural or organic materials, it's important to know all the facts. Only by being transparent and informative can consumers make a confident, informed decision based on the facts. At Mattress & Sleep Company, our mission is to create the friendliest, most transparent environment possible so our customers feel this way every time they walk through our doors. Whether they purchase from us or not, our goal has always been to educate people about the health benefits of mattresses and sleep products best suited to them individually.