Is There A Difference Between a Wool Underlay and a Wool Topper?

Many of us are aware of the advantages of sleeping on a wool underlay rather than on one made of down, foam or polyester but with so many different products on the market; we’re often confused about whether we should be investing in an Australian wool underlay or in a woollen topper. 

So if you’ve been wondering if there a difference between the two, read on for our advice. 

The Visible Differences Between Wool Toppers and Wool Underlays

The easiest way to tell the difference between a wool underlay and a topper is by using your eyes.

An underlay has wool visible from the outside which makes it look more like a rug and is fitted to your mattress by way of a cotton skirt, much in the same way as you fit an elasticated sheet. 

A woollen topper looks more like a quilt as the woollen filling is encased inside a quilted cotton cover which is fitted to your mattress with four corner straps. 

So Why Use an Underlay Rather than a Topper? 

An underlay is used as a layer of cushioning between the mattress and your sheets to give more comfort as you sleep and protect the mattress from moisture, sweat and spills. This will help your mattress to remain cleaner and will extend its lifespan. 

The underlay also helps to spread your body weight more evenly which may help to reduce pressure on specific areas of your body, plus the natural fibres will help to keep your body at its optimum temperature throughout the year. 

However, underlays made from wool are often more expensive than woollen toppers because they are reversible. During the hot months, you can reverse the underlay so that you rest on the cotton side and then reverse it back to the wool side as it gets colder.

Wool toppers are primarily designed to protect your mattress from dirt and sweat. While the woollen filling does offer additional softness and comfort, you don’t have the advantages of being able to lie directly on the wool. 

This, of course, may be a benefit for anyone who has an allergy to wool and makes it a particularly comfortable option for summer use.

In addition, as toppers are not reversible, they often cost less than an underlay, plus they do tend to be lighter in weight too. 

The Choice is Yours

Whether you choose a woollen underlay or topper is down to personal preference and budget. While underlays tend to be more expensive, you do get all the benefits of sleeping on wool.

However, if cost is a consideration or you are irritated by woollen fibres, a topper may be a better option for you. 

But whichever you choose, you’ll still have the experience of sleeping on 100% Australian wool and the benefits that sleeping on natural fibres brings.

Halcyon Dreams Wool Bedding

Halcyon Dreams Wool Bedding

How to Make Your Kid’s Bedroom Seem Larger

Create the Perfect Bedroom for Restful Sleep

Many of us struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep and get the rest that we need. While many things can affect the quality of our sleep, including what you consume in the evening, there’s no doubt that your sleeping environment is a major contributing factor. 

If you’re finding that your sleep is impaired, there are several things you can do to improve it – from ensuring you’re comfortable in bed by sleeping on a Australian wool underlay to completely blocking out the light with black-out blinds – so let’s take a look at 5 easy ways to create the perfect bedroom for restful sleep.

1.       Ensure Your Bedroom is Cool

Sleep will come far easier if your bedroom is cool. Researchers have found that warmer temperatures have an effect on the quality of your sleep, with temperatures of between 60 and 72^o Fahrenheit being the optimum. This may necessitate using air con in the summer or perhaps a ceiling or freestanding fan.

2.       Buy Natural Bedding

If you’re sleeping in bedding that’s been manufactured with man-made fibres, you may want to try natural bedding instead. 

Replacing your polyester based mattress toppers with a king or queen wool underlay will help you to remain cooler and help you sleep better. A new king wool underlay may be an investment, but you’ll soon feel the difference in your quality of sleep.

3.       Block Out the Light

Our body works based on our natural biorhythms and one way to tell it that it’s time to sleep is to make sure that it’s dark in the bedroom. 

If your room is light, your brain will delay the release of melatonin – the hormone which regulates our sleep cycle – and produce cortisol which tells your body that you should be awake and alert. Installing blackout blinds is a simple solution. 

4.       Banish TV and Other Electronics

How many of you watch TV or use your tablet or phone in bed? Researchers suggest that the blue light that comes from TVs and other screens may negatively affect your internal clock. Keep TV and scrolling out of the bedroom and you may find you have a better night’s sleep. 

5.       Reach for the Earplugs

Noisy neighbours, your partner’s snoring, loud televisions. There’s no doubt that noise can affect our ability to fall asleep. If you can’t control the noise itself, consider wearing earplugs. Other alternatives include playing white noise or sounds from nature to mask irritating background noises. 

The Bottom Line

Ensuring that your bedroom is cool, dark, quiet and distraction-free can go a long way to helping you to improve your sleep, as can investing in natural, sweat-wicking wool bedding. So, if you want to optimise your sleep, why not try a few of these changes this weekend?  

Can You Wash an Aussie Wool Doona

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.

Turn Your Bedroom into the Ultimate Sleeping Room

We all deserve a comfortable space to sleep in. Whether you’re settling down for eight hours or you’re sneaking a quick afternoon nap, your quality of sleep will be improved by being in the perfect sleeping environment. 

It doesn’t matter whether it’s your bedroom, a guest bedroom or your kid’s room – if it’s a room where slumber takes place there are a few things that you can incorporate into the space which will make it much more sleep-inducing. 

From blackout blinds and luxury linens to a snuggly Australian wool underlay fit for a king, it’s the little things that will turn your bedroom into the ultimate sleeping room. 

Choose Luxury Linens

Have you ever climbed into bed and felt the bobbly bits that seem to appear out of nowhere on inferior sheets? If so, it’s time that you swapped your cheap bed linen for something more expensive.

After all, we spend up to eight hours or more in our beds every day, so we deserve to be lying on cool, smooth sheets. Choose linens with a high thread count for the smoothest feel. 

Sink into a Woollen Underlay

We’ve all heard the fairy story about the princess and the pea, but while it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be finding peas in your bed, you may find that you can feel every lump and bump of your mattress. One way to add an extra layer of cosiness and softness to your bed is with a wool mattress topper. 

Whether you need a single woollen underlay or a queen wool underlay, choose one made from Australian wool for the ultimate in natural comfort.

Choose Window Treatments Wisely

The way you cover your windows is one of the most important things to consider in your room, after your bed. Some of us prefer to sleep in totally dark rooms, while others can’t sleep unless they have a breeze coming in through the window. 

While thick dark curtains or blackout blinds may block out any exterior light, they may not be the ideal solution for anyone who prefers to wake early with light streaming through the window. 

Lower the Lighting

Getting the lighting in the bedroom right will help you to ‘go out like a light’. The lighting you choose should promote relaxation, so dimmer switches are an excellent option. 

You may also want to use nightlights for younger children or bedside lights so that you don’t have to switch on the main lighting if you wake during the night. 

Incorporate Texture 

While minimalist bedrooms may be in fashion, adding texture to your room can lift it from functional to fantastic. Use fur, wool, velvets and other textured fabrics to add softness and a tactile feel to your room. 

And don’t forget to lay a cosy rug by the side of the bed, especially if you have wooden floors. 

Create a Room You Love to Spend Time In

Turning your bedroom into the ultimate sleeping space will help to improve the quality of your slumber and create a haven where you’ll enjoy spending time even when you’re not asleep.