Innovations in Bedding Technology: What's New in Australian Bedrooms?

For some 300,000 years, recent human beings have been roaming the Earth, seeking food and sustenance and embarking on great adventures. And each and every night over those years, humans have tried to settle in and get some good sleep so they would be ready for the next day. The cycle of daily activities, expenditures of energy and then long hours of rejuvenating and restful sleep has been with humankind since our earliest days. And, just like human beings, sleep technology has been evolving over time.

These days, we don’t have to sleep in a cave and keep a fire going to keep the wild animals away while we slip off to sleep. Yet, in a way, we still retire to a far more lavishly appointed human-made cave when it’s time to rest for the night. Fortunately, the luxury touches in our bedroom and our climate control systems help make it far more comfortable to head off to dreamland. And that’s great, considering the life stresses we are sure to face in the morning when we awaken.

Enjoy the Comfort and Luxury of 100% Natural Fibre

The arrival of high speed Internet access ushered in a new world of online shopping. Best of all, it opened up a doorway that connected consumers with luxury products that could be purchased affordably over the Internet. If you want to sleep in five star hotel luxury every night, look online for a 100% wool quilt sourced and manufactured in Australia.

 Your wool quilt will help regulate your body temperature, so you can sleep deeply and avoid tossing and turning all night long.

A Mattress That Keeps You Cool

There have been significant advancements in bedding technology in recent years. One of the interesting offerings are mattresses specifically designed to keep you cool during our ever hotter Australian summers.

To make this possible, the mattress utilizes a moisture-wicking technology within one of its layers. This is then combined with a foam that includes a cooling gel. The cooling technology helps improve your sleep when the nights are hot and uncomfortable.

Bedding That Is Earth-Friendly and Sustainable

With our heightened concern for the environment and the changes that are going on with our planet, Australians are increasingly looking for products that are ethically-sourced and sustainable.

We spend about one-third of our lives in bed or sleeping. Because of this, it’s important that our bodies are able to rest on natural fibres that are earth and human friendly.

The Truth About Woollen Bedding and Dust Mites

If you have asthma or suffer from allergies, you may already be aware that sleeping in hypoallergenic bedding can reduce allergic reactions. However, you may have discounted the idea of a wool quilt as you’ve heard that woollen bedding provides a great environment for dust mites. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth; so, let’s dispel this myth once and for all.

Unfortunately, dust mites are a fact of life. Although we can’t see them without a microscope, they do exist in all types of bedding. Contrary to the suggestion implied by their name, dust mites don’t eat dust. Neither do they eat wool. They do, however, love beds. They love the warm and humid conditions created by our hot and sweaty bodies. But they prefer bedding that’s made of feathers, down or synthetic fibres. This means that wool quilts are a much better choice.

Dust mites love warm and humid environments

It’s a well-known fact that dust mites require a warm and humid environment to survive. So, the suggestion that your wool quilt may be home to an extra-large colony of dust mites is unlikely to be true. The natural properties of wool ensure that any moisture that’s released from your body as you sleep is absorbed by the wool fibres and then released into the atmosphere to keep you and your bedding dry and cool. This is not the kind of environment that helps dust mites to thrive.

The idea that dust mites thrive in wool comes from a 1970’s study

A study carried out in the 1970s suggested that dust mites were able to survive and thrive in woollen fibres. However, if we tell you that this study was carried out on a tropical island in temperatures of around 40^oC and humidity not far short of 80%, you can perhaps see why there is a problem. These temperatures and levels of humidity provide an excellent breeding ground for dust mites in any kind of material. It’s not necessarily because they used woollen blankets.

Woollen bedding has fewer dust mites than other types of bedding

As we’ve already said, you’ll find dust mites in all types of bedding. The mites themselves are harmless. It’s the protein they produce that causes the typical allergic reactions such as wheezing, sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, and itchy skin. So, while there may be dust mites in your woollen bedding, there won’t be as many as found in bedding made of synthetic fibres, duck or down.

Choose Woollen Bedding for Better Health

Wool quilts not only have fewer dust mites than other types of bedding, but they can 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. So, there’s another great reason to choose woollen bedding for your home.

Feeling Uncomfortable During the Night? Invest in Wool

Do you struggle with your sleep? Do you find it hard to get comfortable and find yourself tossing and turning throughout the night? If so, you are not alone, and you do not have to suffer.

While many of us can underestimate the importance of putting time and effort into choosing your choice of bedding, it can make all the difference to you getting a comfortable and restful night’s sleep.

A wool quilt can change the way you sleep. If you want to find out more, keep reading.

Regulate your temperature

One of the reasons for poor sleep could be that you find yourself getting too hot or cold during the night. On a cold winter’s night, there is nothing better than getting into a warm and cosy bed.

However, if your bedding is made from synthetic fibres, it can cause you to overheat, which may result in you sweating and feeling uncomfortable. Halcyon Dreams has the answer: wool.

Wool is temperature regulating, which means that it keeps you at the right temperature. Should you sweat, the wool will wick away any additional moisture, keeping you cool and comfortable. Did you know wool can retain up to 30% of its body weight in moisture and only releases it when the conditions are dry enough?

Of course, it also works the other way around. Should you often feel the cold, wool will keep you warm and cosy, so that is one more thing off your mind.

It keeps allergies at bay

For those who suffer from allergies, the type of bedding you choose is imperative to how you sleep at night. Wool quilts are naturally resistant to dust mites, which can help to keep your allergies at bay. You can look forward to a peaceful night’s sleep without any sneezing or sniffling. Your partner will thank you for that as well!

Wool is natural

As a natural material, wool is gentle next to your skin. If environmental factors are important to you, it is good to know that you are choosing a sustainable option.

Wool is durable, and you can expect to enjoy your wool quilt for many years to come. When it does eventually reach the end of its life, it can naturally be broken down by the earth in a way that synthetic fibres cannot.

Find your wool bedding at Halcyon Dreams

If you want to have better sleep, choose wool for your bedding, and you will not look back. At Halcyon Dreams, we can supply all your wool bedding, and as our wool is 100% Australian, you can be sure of its quality.

You can also feel good knowing that you are supporting the local economy and Australian farmers. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Why Choose a Wool Quilt Rather Than a Polyester Quilt?

 

Choosing a new quilt for your bed can sometimes seem a little daunting. There are so many options on the market, and you want to make sure that you choose one that will keep you comfortable as you sleep. Plus, you may also want it to have eco-credentials and be as environmentally friendly as possible.

With that in mind, it’s logical to assume that a wool quilt is a better option than one made of polyester. But just in case you need a little more persuading, here’s the lowdown on the difference between polyester and wool quilts.

What is Polyester?

We all know what wool is – it’s a sheep’s natural coat but what exactly is polyester? Polyester is the universal name given to any textile or fabric that’s made from polyester fibres or yarns that are knitted or woven into a fabric. The fibres are made from a thermoplastic that is developed from a chemical reaction between petroleum, water, and air.

Does Polyester Work Well for Bedding?

One of the big advantages of polyester bedding is that it is relatively lightweight which is a bonus if you prefer a light covering as you sleep. However, it does have some downsides.

·         Polyester is not a breathable fabric – this means that it’s likely to trap moisture and prevent it from escaping into the air. This can lead to an increase in body temperature as you sleep and you may feel damp, clammy, and uncomfortable. On the other hand, as a natural fibre, wool helps to regulate your body temperature and can absorb up to 30% of its own weight in moisture that will keep you cool and comfortable as you sleep.

 

·         Polyester may cause allergic reactions – this may sound strange, but due to its lack of breathability, polyester creates the perfect environment for dust mites and allergens to thrive. Plus, as it’s made from petroleum, it may cause skin irritations. In contrast, wool is naturally hypoallergenic, so it won’t cause skin or breathing problems and, as it releases any absorbed moisture into the air, it deters those dreaded dust mites.

 

·         Polyester can be hard to recycle. Although many companies are now finding ways to recycle polyester and create new fabrics with recycled polyester, some polyesters are still extremely hard to recycle and often end up in landfill. This leads us to our next point – polyester is a non-biodegradable fabric and can take anything from 20 to 200 years to decompose. As you can imagine, as an entirely natural product, wool is both biodegradable and sustainable. As long as we have sheep, we will have wool and if the wool does end up in landfill it will degrade naturally without polluting the environment.

 

·         In some cases, polyester is flammable; however, polyester bedding is likely to be treated with chemicals to make it fireproof. Wool is naturally fire-retardant so is a much safer and healthier choice for your bed.

The Bottom Line

While polyester may be a popular choice for many, it isn’t necessarily the best option if you value your health and the environment. 

5 Simple Ways to Get Your Bedroom Spring Ready

 

Spring has heralded its arrival and we can’t wait to get back outdoors again but spare a thought for your home. It’s been the place of safety and comfort, especially as we’ve all been spending more time there over the last few months due to the Pandemic. So now it’s time to give it a bit of special attention and a traditional spring clean. If you’re not ready to tackle the whole house, let’s start with the bedroom! We show you five simple ways to get your bedroom spring-ready without breaking the bank.

Spruce up the Walls

An easy way to make your bedroom feel brighter and lighter is with a fresh coat of paint, particularly on the woodwork. If your budget doesn’t run to paint, simply clean the woodwork and walls with a damp cloth paying particular attention to dirty or marked areas. While you’re at it, clean the windows and light fittings too so that they let in the maximum amount of light.

Deep Clean the Carpet

If you have a carpeted bedroom now’s the time for a deep clean. Make sure you give the carpet a thorough vacuum and then use a carpet cleaner to remove stains and refresh the carpet fibres. Throw open the windows to dry out the carpet after cleaning and let some fresh air into your room too.  If you have wooden flooring, give it an extra deep clean and polish or treat the floor as required.

Remake Your Bed

Warmer nights call for lighter bedding and what could be better for a good night’s sleep than a wool quilt? Naturally hypoallergenic, wool quilts have the ability to wick moisture away from your body as you sleep to give you a better night’s sleep and ensure that you wake up feeling more refreshed and ready to face the day. Use this time to check your mattress and pillows too. Do they need a deep clean or are they ready for replacement? You may also want to change your bedding to a lighter weight and colour too to reflect the lighter and longer days.

Bring the Outdoors In

Adding greenery to your bedroom with plants is very on-trend right now. Choose a few large statement plants or allow hanging plants to drape from the top of cupboards or a shelf above the bed. Plants not only help to remove toxins from the air, but they contribute to a sense of calmness – a necessity for every bedroom.

Add a Scentsational Scent

Your bedroom should be a haven where you can relax. One way to encourage your body and mind to switch off and unwind is to introduce scent into the space. You can do this with fragranced sticks or candles or how about using an electric oil diffuser that will fill the air with the scent of your choice?

And there you go – five easy ways to get your bedroom ready for spring.