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The Truth About Woollen Bedding and Dust Mites

If you suffer from allergies, you’ll no doubt be aware that woollen bedding is recommended for its hypoallergenic properties and have heard that it’s an excellent option for anyone who has an allergy to dust mites or who suffers from asthma. 

Adding an Australian wool underlay to your bed is a practical way to keep dust mites and bay and give you a more comfortable night’s sleep. 

But you may also have heard that woollen bedding isn’t a good option for asthma sufferers as it is possible for dust mites to live in wool – so we’re here to give you an explanation.

The Misinformation comes from a Decades-Old Study

It is true that there was a scientific study some time back in the 1970s which showed that dust mites were able to survive in woollen fibres. However, this study was carried out on a tropical island in temperatures around 40^oC and humidity not far short of 80%. 

The participants of the study were given woollen blankets to sleep with, which, upon examination showed the presence of dust mites. And it’s this study that leads some people to believe that wool is not a suitable material for allergy and asthma sufferers. 

Dust Mites Love Warm and Humid Environments

If the truth be known, this result was hardly surprising as the mites require a warm, humid environment to survive and for their food source to grow. Contrary to popular opinion they don’t actually eat dust – or wool, so fears that your woollen underlay could be a hive of dust mite activity are unfounded. 

However, dust mites are a fact of life, and even if we can’t see them with the naked eye, they do exist in our bedding; but mainly in bedding made of synthetic fibres or from feathers and down. 

Dust mites love beds. They love the warm and humid conditions created by our hot and sweaty sleeping bodies. 

Woollen Bedding Has Fewer Dust Mites Than Other Types of Bedding

But let’s get things straight – the dust mites themselves are harmless – it’s the protein that they produce that causes the typical allergic reaction of a runny nose, wheezing, sneezing, itchy eyes and itchy skin. 

So while there may be some dust mites living in your wool mattress topper, there certainly won’t be as many as there would be in a synthetic or duck and down version. And that’s great news for asthmatics!

Choose Woollen Bedding for Better Health

Woollen bedding not only has fewer dust mites than other types of bedding, but it’s able to absorb harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds). 

VOCs are found in a wide range of things from paints, varnishes and glues to cleaning products and cleaning products, and can be problematic for anyone with allergies or asthma. Just another great reason to choose woollen bedding for your home.