Sustainable Bedding: How Australian Manufacturers Are Leading the Way

As the planet changes more and more rapidly, and concerns about climate change become the norm, there has been an ever increasing focus on sustainability. The days of simply using resources without any concern for the ecological or planetary impact are gone. Every year we see more examples of our changing times, as extreme weather events and out of control wildfires illustrate the tenuous circumstances we face. We’ve come to understand that resources are not endless, and that we have to do our part to preserve the planet that brings us life.

In addition to reducing our carbon footprint by lowering our energy consumption and driving less, we can also make a difference when we choose sustainable products for our home. Instead of buying items that have a detrimental effect on the environment, we can choose to spend our money on products that are sustainable and can be maintained over the long term. Our planetary situation is simply too fragile, and we cannot continue to buy things whose manufacturing and sourcing contribute to environmental degradation and depleting resources. With sustainable products, we can enjoy life’s bounty without causing harm to the world.

Choose Sustainable Bedding

We spend approximately one-third of our lives sleeping. With all the demands and stress in our daily life, it’s more important than ever to make sure we get the rest and rejuvenation we need. For a great night’s sleep, start with a sustainable wool underlay.

When you buy a product that is 100% Australian made and owned, you are investing in quality manufacturing and supporting local farmers. Your wool underlay is a premium product that is created using 100% sustainable wool that is locally sourced.

Look for the Woolmark Certification

Australian farmers who provide the pure fibre have also taken the extra step of getting their products tested and certified as 100% pure new Australian wool. The Woolmark certification is the world’s best known brand for textile fibre.

The local products that bear the Woolmark logo have to meet strict standards for both wool quality and performance of the fibre over time.

Australia Is a World Leader in Sustainable Agriculture

According to a new report, Australian farmers are among the world leaders when it comes to sustainable agriculture. They have been early adopters of modern products and techniques that help improve environmental outcomes that support sustainability.

Advanced practices such as investing in re-vegetation, setting up time controlled planned grazing and fencing off waterways help protect and preserve the environment.

How Often Should You Change or Replace your Bedding

There are a lot of things you have to do to keep your home looking great and feeling fresh. Some things you have to do each season, while others are done each year or in longer cycles. All in all, the simple tasks and keeping up with updates to your home space can keep your refuge looking beautiful and feeling comfortable for you and your family.

Some things you need to do for your home are important rituals that usher in a new time of year. For instance, there is spring cleaning which comes at a time or renewal and rebirth. It's the perfect opportunity to open the windows and let new air in and do a deep and thorough cleaning. It's amazing how that effort makes your home feel like new again. Even smaller changes, like replacing or changing your bedding, can make a big difference in how you feel.

With the Change of Seasons

As you transition from fall to winter, and emerge from the chill of winter to greet the spring, you may want to change your bedding. When the leaves fall from the trees and the first chill pierces the air, it may be time to bring out the flannel or smooth sateen sheets. As another consideration, the tighter weave of higher thread count sheet fabrics also helps with warmth.

When the days get longer and summertime approaches, opt for more cooling sheets with thread counts in the 180 to 280 range. You might also consider a reversible wool underlay, which has wool on one side for winter warmth and cotton on the other for summer cooling.

When You Are Updating the Bedroom Decor

Another great time to replace or refresh your bedding is when you are updating your bedroom decor. A new duvet cover, sheets and pillow cases can bring a flash of color or soothing feeling to your sleeping sanctuary.

As you bring in your new design elements, you might also consider upgrading the comfort of your bed. With a new reversible wool underlay you'll sleep better through the night and will be comfortable all year long.

As Time Goes By

Even the best bedding products eventually wear down and need to be replaced. As a general rule of thumb, sheets will need to be replaced after two years of use although luxury sheets like percale and sateen may go an extra year.

New pillows should be purchased every year or two. If your duvet cover is separated from your skin by a top sheet, it could last five years. Quality duvets, especially with a cover, could last from 5 to 25 years.

Before You Invest in a New Mattress Try a Wool Underlay

 If you’re experiencing disrupted sleep because it’s difficult to get comfortable in bed, it may be because your mattress is no longer providing the correct amount of support. And, if your mattress is no longer providing the correct support, you may find that you wake up with all kinds of aches and pains. However, disrupted sleep isn’t always down to the age of the mattress. Memory foam mattresses often cause overheating, while some mattresses are simply too firm.

Signs that it’s time to replace your mattress

It’s generally recommended that you replace your mattress every 8 to 10 years. Signs that it should be replaced include visible lumps and bumps, creaking sounds, exposed springs and sagging in the middle. It may be that your mattress is badly stained or just looks as though it’s ready for replacement.

How a wool underlay can help

If your mattress doesn’t have any of these outward signs and it’s less than 10 years old, you may want to try topping it with a woollen underlay and see if that improves the quality of your sleep.

A woollen underlay doesn’t just smooth out any irregularities in your sleeping surface; it has far more far-reaching benefits.

·         It will keep you cool – wool is a totally natural and breathable fibre

·         It will keep you warm – wool is also a natural insulator and keeps your body at its optimal temperature which may improve your sleep quality by up to 25%

·         It stops you from becoming sweaty – wool absorbs body moisture and then releases it into the air. It can absorb up to 33% of its weight in moisture, so you can say goodbye to night-time sweats!

·         It’s not attractive to dust mites or fungal spores – dust mites love warm and humid environments. Due to its breathable properties, wool provides a dry and cool environment – the exact opposite of the environment required for the growth of dust mites and fungus

·         It’s naturally fire retardant – there’s no need to use chemicals to make it fire safe

·         It’s naturally sustainable and biodegradable – making it a great choice if you want to make a difference to the environment.

So, as you can see, a wool underlay is a great choice for any bed. It provides a healthy sleeping surface, will smooth out any irregularities in your mattress and it’s a great eco-friendly option too. So, before you rush out to buy a new mattress, why not try sleeping on a wool underlay?

Add a Touch of Luxury to Your Bedroom

When you go away to a luxurious hotel, you may find that you sleep better and enjoy your surroundings. Why save this only for when you go away? With a little inspiration from Halcyon Dreams, you can recreate the look and feel of luxury within your bedroom.

Start with getting your bedding on point

It almost goes without saying that to get that touch of luxury, you need a bed and bedding to help you drift off peacefully. With an Australian wool underlay, your bed will never have felt so comfortable or more inviting.

The softness the underlay creates helps you to get comfortable, but it does not end there. It also helps you to remain comfortable throughout the night. As our underlays are made from 100% natural sheep wool, they will help regulate your temperature throughout the night. Say goodbye to getting too hot during the night or struggling to stay warm. Wool will keep you just right.

The same can be said for an Australian wool quilt. It is the perfect covering for you, and it will work in harmony with your underlay.

Finish off the look of your bed

Now that you have got the essential bedding sorted, it is time to think about those finishing touches for your bed. You may have noticed that something all luxurious bedrooms have in common is their cosy and inviting look.

You can achieve this in different ways. If you want to keep your bedroom looking fresh with clean lines, why not opt for crisp white bedding? This timeless option will remind you perfectly of hotel rooms.

Or, if you would like more colour in your bedroom, search for inspiration on places like Pinterest or Instagram for some beautiful colour-themed bedrooms.

Do not forget to complement your bed with a luxurious runner at the end of your bed and some scatter cushions to complete the look.

Do not forget about the other details

Of course, there is more to a bedroom than just your bed. Aim to give your surfaces clutter-free to encourage you to relax.

If you want to really go for it, why not add some beautiful fresh flowers, or you could choose some faux flowers to achieve a similar look.

Remember to consider your lighting choices. When creating a relaxing atmosphere, you want to have the option to dim the lights and create ambient lighting. Beautiful bedside lamps is a good way to achieve this. Keep a bright ceiling light available for those times when you need to see clearly!

Find your bedding at Halcyon Dreams

Halcyon Dreams can supply you with all your wool bedding for your luxurious bedroom. Browse our entire range online today.

How to chose the Best Australian Wool Quilt and Underlay for a Good Night’s Sleep

 

We all value a good night’s sleep because it can leave us feeling refreshed and ready to face the new day. A poor night’s sleep, on the other hand, can mean we’re lacking in energy and unable to perform to our full potential.

The secret of a really good night’s sleep can often be having the right Australian wool underlay and quilt that will keep you comfortable at all times. The large variety of quilts available can be confusing, however, and can make choosing the right one quite a challenge.

One of the main challenges can be getting the right quality and thickness of quilt or underlay because these determine how warm you will be. The thickness or density is usually expressed in grammes per square metre (gsm):

·        Thinner quilts at 150-300 gsm are usually only suitable for the warmer summer months

·        Densities of 400-600 gsm are often better for winter, with the higher numbers for those who really feel the cold.

An alternative way of expressing thickness is in terms of lofting, which many people find easier to understand to determine their relative warmth. A light loft quilt is equivalent to 1-2 blankets or 300m gsm while high loft is 2-3 blankets or 450 gsm and super loft is 3-5 blankets or 500 gsm.

Higher quality quilts and underlays, as well as those that are thicker, tend to come at a higher price. However, they should be viewed as good investments because they’ll provide greater comfort for many years.

The Filling is the Key

Quilts and underlays can have a variety of fillings that include cotton, synthetic fibres, goose down and wool. The latter is the most durable, easy to care for and warm so it guarantees a good night’s sleep consistently and for a long period. It also keeps you comfortable all the year round so there’s no need to have separate quilts for winter and summer.

Wool is a natural filling and, because it breathes, is able to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the year. It’s a product that is sustainably sourced, hard wearing, repels water on the surface while letting it pass through the interior, is suitable for those with allergies and is very easy to keep clean.

All our quilts and underlays are of the highest quality, bearing the Woolmark label that attests to their reliability and quality, being made from the very best Australian wool and subject to regular testing. They’re also backed by our extended warranty because we’re confident you’ll be fully satisfied with the products and gain a restful night’s sleep when you use them.