How to Care for Woollen Items

Items made from natural fabrics such as wool are a luxury that we all love. However, whether you have a fine cashmere sweater, a merino wool onesie or you own a wool doona; you’ll need to know how to look after it to keep it at its best. 

We take a look at how to care for this beautiful fabric to ensure that it gives you good service for years to come. It’s much easier than you think.

1.       Airing

One of the best ways to keep your woollies fresh is to let them air, either indoors or outdoors. Never put a woollen jumper away immediately after wearing it. It’s much better to put it in a place where air can circulate around it before you stash it away. Airing is an extremely effective way to remove sweat odours from wool and to allow moisture to evaporate. It’s a good idea to air your woollen quilts regularly too.

2.       Stain Removal

If you spill anything onto a woollen garment or quilt, remove the stain as soon as you can to avoid it being absorbed into the fibres. If the stain has dried, run lukewarm water over the affected area.

3.       Washing 

Woollen fibres are able to keep themselves clean by using moisture control to remove odours. It’s also naturally wrinkle-resistant and stain-resistant, which means that you shouldn’t have to wash woollen items quite as often as you would those made from synthetic fibres.

Many woollen items can now be machine washed which makes it easier to care for them. If you are putting them into the machine, be sure to select the wool/silk program or a delicates or handwash cycle. With the advent of the washable wool doona, it is possible to wash these at home, but only if your machine has the capacity.

If you don't have the correct program you can wash your garments by hand in lukewarm water. Don’t scrub or wring the wet garment but move it gently through the water. Rinse it thoroughly and roll the garment in a dry towel to absorb excess water.

It’s always best to use a detergent that’s designed for woollen garments; however, if this is not available, you can use hair shampoo when handwashing.

4.       Drying

Woollen garments should be gently pulled into shape before air drying. Try to avoid the use of tumble driers as they are likely to shrink woollen items. Big and heavy items, such as quilts should be laid flat, preferably outside.

5.       Storing

When you pack away woollen items you will need to protect them from moths, so keep your woollies in cotton bags together with some cedar balls.  And always fold jumpers rather than hanging them. 

Caring for woollen items is easy when you know how and when they are properly looked after should last you for years to come.

How to Recreate a 5 Star Hotel Bed in Your Bedroom

Staying in a 5-star hotel is often a wonderful experience, even if lots of travelling can leave you feeling fatigued. Hotel beds seem to have a secret that means they are always comfortable and allows you to rest easy. 

However, living a life of luxury can leave you feeling disappointed when you return to your everyday life. The good news is that you can easily recreate a 5-star hotel bed in your bedroom at home. 

The ultimate comfort

The one thing that probably struck you when you have stayed in a luxury hotel is how comfortable the bed is. Even if you have never been able to afford to stay in such luxury, recreating the bed at home will mean that you do not have to miss out. 

The first step is having a wool underlay on your bed. These provide you with unbeatable comfort and therefore, you experience a great night’s sleep. What’s more, the wool helps to distribute your body weight, meaning that you are more comfortable throughout the night and do not suffer from any pressure points. 

Furthermore, having a woollen underlay can help to regulate your body temperature throughout the night. Rather than waking up hot and sticky or being prevented from sleeping because you are too cold, wool cleverly helps to keep you at the right temperature, giving you a comfortable night’s sleep.

Choose luxury bedding

Hotels are synonymous with having white, crisp linen that is made from a high thread count. Choose cotton sheets because, like wool, they are a natural material and therefore breathable.

There is also nothing quite like slipping into sheets that have been freshly washed and ironed, so make sure your bedding is regularly cleaned. You may also want to consider getting flat sheets rather than a fitted sheet for a true hotel experience. Just make sure you brush up on how to fold your hospital corners.

When you go for white bedding, the lighter colours of the linen also make your room appear more peaceful, so when the time comes for you to go to bed, your bedroom will be a haven of relaxation.

Add finishing touches

Pillows can make a massive difference to how you sleep. Choosing a good pillow can make all the difference. Consider a wool pillow because they are dust-free and odourless, making them perfect for allergy sufferers.

To finish off your bed, add a cosy bed runner to the bottom of your bed in true hotel style. Choose a colour that compliments the rest of your bedroom and the whole look can be tied together. 

With Halcyon Dreams, we help you to get the best night’s sleep. With us, everyone can enjoy that taste of 5-star hotel luxury.

The Lowdown on Woollen Bedding and Dustmites

Anyone who suffers from allergies to dust will know that your sleep can be disrupted by a stuffy nose, itchy eyes and even issues with breathing. 

That said; it’s important to find bedding that doesn’t exacerbate this problem. Woollen bedding is known for its hypoallergenic properties, which makes it an ideal choice for anyone with an allergy or for asthmatics. 

But why is woollen bedding so good – and would adding a wool underlay to your bed help you to have a good night’s sleep? Read on to find out more.

Myths Surrounding Woollen Bedding

Let’s start with the most common myth surrounding woollen bedding – that it’s a great home for dust mites. This myth comes from a study carried out way back in the 1970s that suggested that woollen fibres were a great habitat for the dust mite. 

However, to understand the results, it’s necessary to look at the conditions of the study, in that it was conducted on a tropical island where temperatures regularly reached 40^oC, and humidity levels of 80% were experienced on a day to day basis. 

The fact that dust mites love very warm, humid environments meant that they did thrive in the blankets that the study participants were given to use. However, this was down to the conditions rather than the wool itself.

The Truth About Dust Mites

While dust mites love the kind of conditions presented in this study, the truth is that they don’t actually feed on dust or wool. However, as we’ve said they do love hot and sweaty conditions. 

Therefore, if you’re sleeping on and under synthetic fibres – you’re more likely to be sleeping with large colonies of dust mites than you would be if your bedding is made of natural, breathable fibres such as wool.

Sadly, dust mites are a fact of life. However, they themselves are harmless, but they do produce a protein that causes all the wheezing, sneezing and itching.  

So, while there may be dust mites in your woollen underlay, there certainly won’t be as many as there would be if you’d chosen an underlay or topper made with synthetic materials such as polyester and memory foam.

Woollen Bedding = Better Health

And that’s not just down to the reduced populations of dust mites. Wool has the ability to absorb the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in many household items, such as cleaning products, paint, glue and varnish which also cause problems for asthmatics and people prone to allergies. 

If you’re thinking of buying new bedding this spring, look out for items that contain wool and you can look forward to improved sleep and better health.

Is it Time to Get a New Mattress?

A mattress is one of the most important purchases you make. It can make the difference between a great night’s sleep and one where you struggle to get comfortable.

Mattresses have a shelf life; unfortunately, they do not last forever, and, at some point, it will become necessary to change your mattress. 

When should I get a new mattress?

Your mattress should be replaced about every seven to ten years. However, this is just a guideline and you can also see if it is time for a new mattress by assessing how you feel after a night’s sleep.

If you are finding that the quality of your sleep has worsened, it could be time to get a new mattress. Perhaps you are tossing and turning more than you used to and finding it hard to get comfortable at night?

Even worse, you may be waking up with an aching back or feeling stiff. All of these are symptoms that your mattress may be past its peak. 

You can also look at the physical state of your mattress. Is it sagging in any areas? Can you feel any loose springs? If so, it is time to change your mattress.

When you wake up in the morning, you want to feel rested and a new mattress could be necessary for you to feel this.

How to choose a new mattress

When you think of how much time you actually spend in bed, a mattress is a real investment for your health.

It is best to see, feel and experience your mattress before buying a new one. Visit some bedding shops, take off your shoes and see how comfortable each of the different types of mattresses feel. You want your new mattress to be comfortable and to last you for a long time, so it is worth taking your time to really discover the best new mattress for you. 

Protect your new mattress

Once you have chosen your new mattress, it is important to protect it so that it can last you for years to come. 

Choose a woollen underlay to give you the ultimate night’s comfort and protect your mattress. Having a wool underlay will not only determine how comfortable you feel when you get into bed but it can also provide you comfort throughout the night. 

Having a natural fibre like wool will ensure you remain cool throughout the night as it will wick away any moisture that is present.

Get your bedding from Halcyon Dreams

Halcyon Dreams stock a wide range of bedding that will work in conjunction with your new mattress to give you the best night’s sleep. 

We can help you to protect your new mattress, stay cool and comfortable and enjoy a restful night’s sleep.

Revamp Your Bedroom for Spring

Spring is synonymous with fresh beginnings. It is a time that often sparks people to do their spring cleaning and bring about any change that may be necessary. Your bedroom is no different, and sometimes it can benefit from being revamped along with the new season. 

Refresh your bedding this spring

A great way to revamp your bedroom is by freshening up your bedding. Your bed is the centrepiece of your bedroom, and all too often we can neglect this one key area.

You should replace your duvet about every five years. If you can’t remember the last time you bought yourself a new duvet, it is probably worth investing in a new quality wool doona.

With the average person getting around eight hours sleep a night, you spend a lot of time in bed and therefore it is important to invest in quality bedding that will allow you to get the best possible night’s sleep. 

Is it time for new bedding?

If your duvet is looking a little limp and lifeless, it is probably a sign that it could do with being replaced. Similarly, if your duvet is discoloured and the filling is not evenly spread across the whole duvet, it probably means it is time for a new one. 

Why choose wool for your doona?

Purchasing a washable wool doona has many benefits for your health. This is because it is made from natural fibres and therefore helps to keep you cool in summer and warm in winter, as well as offering you the perfect protection for the other seasons. Wool wicks away any unwanted moisture in the night, helping to keep you cool and comfortable, and therefore allowing you to have a restful night’s sleep. 

For this reason, wool duvets are also great for those who share a bed and may like to be different temperatures during the night. As the wool adapts to your body, it will suit both of you. Clever.

Natural fibres also stay cleaner for longer, so they are a lot better for your overall health, especially when you consider the amount of time you spend in bed. 

The other great news is that when you purchase your doona from Halcyon Dreams, our wool duvets are washable so you will be able to keep them fresh and smelling beautiful.

Don’t forget your pillows

Along with your duvet, you should also replace your pillows. Pillows can harbour skin cells and can also house dust mites if they are not regularly replaced. Like your duvet, you can tell when your pillow needs replacing by feeling and seeing if it is looking thin and has seen better days.

Step into spring feeling refreshed

This spring replace your duvet and feel fresh for the season ahead.