How a Wool Underlay can solve your Sleep Problems

 

We all look forward to a good night’s sleep but don’t always get the rest we want. Sleeping under a wool doona will really help because it maintains a comfortable temperature, dissipates moisture and generally helps you settle down the whole night. If the mattress you lay on is not comfortable, however, or is too soft or too firm for your preference, you can still struggle to sleep properly and so you may need to take action to resolve that.

The usual response is to get a new mattress but that may be a needless expense, especially if the one you have isn’t very old. A better solution may be a woollen underlay that can significantly increase your comfort level.

The Benefits that Underlays can bring

A wool underlay, also known as a mattress topper, fits on top of the mattress and provides an extra layer that will smooth out any lumps and sags that may be the cause of your discomfort. You can buy underlays in varying thicknesses and so can provide different levels of comfort as well as accommodating large and weighty sleepers who may sink into thinner versions.

An underlay that’s filled with wool has all the same benefits as a wool doona or pillow:

·        Temperature regulation to keep you cool in summer and warm in winter

·        Dispersal of excess moisture to keep you dry

·        It provides a softness that’s not available in synthetic materials

·        Free of chemicals and dust mites and so is perfect if you have allergies

·        Resistant to fire

·        Very durable with a long life.

In addition, our underlays help to distribute your body weight evenly so that pressure points are reduced. They are available in a variety of thicknesses and so are suitable for those wanting very soft or firmer sleeping surfaces. You get them in sizes to fit any bed and they’re held firmly in place with a surrounding skirt that adds that finishing touch. And they’re all reversible so you can have the deep pile uppermost in winter for warmth and turn it for a cooler sleeping surface in summer.

Studies have shown that sleepers are more settled when a fleecy wool underlay is used. That reduces activity and ensures improved sleep quality. So, if you want to wake refreshed, increase your comfort with an underlay that’s filled with wool.

Finding Sleeping on Memory Foam a Hot Experience? Try a Woollen Underlay

 

Even though memory foam mattresses and toppers are becoming an increasingly common choice for people who are looking for comfortable night’s sleep, some report that while they are extremely comfortable, they seem to increase your body temperature. If you’ve found this to be true, one way to still enjoy the comfort of your memory foam mattress but be more comfortable in bed is to top it with a wool underlay. We take a look at why sleeping on wool is a better bet for a good night’s sleep.

It Regulates Your Temperature

When your temperature rises at night, you’re likely to toss and turn and throw off the covers. Surprisingly sleeping on wool can help you to maintain your optimum body temperature so you stay asleep for longer. As a natural material, wool wicks away any excess moisture that is created during the night, thus keeping you cool and dry. Plus, when top your bed with a woollen quilt, any sweat you generate will be drawn away and released into the atmosphere rather than remaining on your body. 

An Extra Layer of Comfort

We all enjoy sinking into memory foam but imagine another layer of soft cushioned support. Underlays made of wool usually have an interchangeable fleece upper and smooth underside. The thick pile of a woolen underlay will help to keep you extra cosy during the winter, plus in summer you can simply turn it over to the smoother side.

Can Help to Prevent Allergies

Anyone who has an allergy to dust mites will know how difficult it can be to sleep sometimes when you’re all ‘stuffed up’. With a woollen underlay, you’ll enjoy a better night’s sleep as the woollen fibres are naturally hypoallergenic and don’t provide the right environment for dust mites to breed. If you’re someone who thinks they are allergic to wool, that’s probably not the case. You’re more likely to be allergic to the lanolin. However, you can still use this kind of underlay as you can simply flip it over, so the woollen side sits against the mattress.

Enjoy a Better’s Night Sleep

Of course, the only way to know whether sleeping on wool could improve your sleep is to try it yourself. There’s no need to buy a new mattress when an underlay could solve your problem.

For the best range of quality woollen bedding including underlays, browse through the product range at Halcyon Dreams.

Are Wool Underlays the Same as Wool Toppers?

Have you ever wondered whether there’s a difference between a woollen underlay and a wool topper? If you have, you’re not alone. While many of us are now aware of the benefits that come with using woollen bedding, there are so many different products available that you can be forgiven if you’re feeling a little confused. So, we’re going to explain what makes an underlay an underlay and when a topper is a topper!

You Can See the Difference

Surprisingly, perhaps the easiest way to decide whether it’s a wool underlay or a topper is to take a look at the construction. An underlay is usually fitted to your mattress with a cotton skirt and has wool visible on the outside, like a cosy sheep fleece. A topper, on the other hand, has a more quilt like appearance with a quilted cotton cover encasing the woollen filling. Four corner straps are used to fit your topper to the mattress and stop it from moving around.   

When to Use an Underlay in Preference to a Topper

Both underlays and toppers are used on top of the mattress and under the sheet to provide extra cushioning and to extend the life and cleanliness of your mattress by protecting it from stains from sweat, moisture and spills. But which one should you use?

Underlays help to distribute your body weight more evenly and may assist in reducing pressure on specific body areas. Plus, when they are made of wool, they help your body to remain at its optimum temperature. During the winter, the wool will help to keep you cosy while in summer, the underlay can be reversed so that the cotton side is uppermost. Woollen underlays tend to be more expensive than wool toppers as they are reversible.

In comparison, while toppers do offer extra softness and comfort, they are primarily designed to give your mattress protection from sweat and dirt. Toppers are usually not reversible, and as the woollen interior is encased in a cotton cover, you don’t get the benefits that you would from lying directly on the wool; although this may be preferable for anyone who may have an allergy to wool. In general, toppers cost less than a similar size and quality of underlay and weigh less too. 

The Choice is Yours

Whether you prefer to buy an underlay or topper will usually be based on budget and personal preference. You may pay more for an underlay, but you’ll benefit from sleeping on a woollen surface. If you’re looking for a less expensive option or if you have a wool allergy, a topper may work better for you. But whether you choose a topper or an underlay, if it’s made from 100% Australia wool you can look forward to a more comfortable and natural sleeping experience.

Create a Cosy Bed for Your Toddler

We all love that feeling of climbing into our own bed when we’re tired. It’s our haven; it’s a place where we feel safe and secure. And the same goes for your little ones. Toddlers and young children love the security and familiarity of their own beds, even though they do seem to be able to fall asleep anywhere and everywhere. However, there are often times when they just don’t want to go to bed. If you’ve experienced this with your child, it may be time to let them help you to create a cosy bed together with a wool doona and some new bedding. 

Why Choose a Wool Quilt for Your Toddler’s Bed? 

Wool bedding is a great option for babies and small children. Why? Because scientific studies carried out at the University of Sydney have shown that it can improve sleep by up to 25%. And we’d all like our little ones to sleep a little better, wouldn’t we? There are several reasons why woollen bedding can help to improve sleep, but the main reason is because wool has the natural ability to regulate our temperature. Just think about it, wool fibres have evolved to keep sheep warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot. They are naturally adapted to keep the sheep at a consistent temperature. 

Woollen quilts also have a great ability to absorb moisture, so your little one won’t wake up ‘wet with sweat’. The moisture absorbed by the fibres is released back into the atmosphere to keep your toddler dry and comfortable. 

You may also have heard that wool bedding is hypoallergenic. Dust mites have a hard time surviving in wool, so they simply don’t grow. Therefore, it’s a great choice if your child suffers from asthma or eczema.

How Practical is a Woollen Quilt? 

It’s a good question. The idea of having a heavy woollen quilt which needs specialist cleaning is probably the main reason that many people are put off buying one. However, with modern technology and treatments, it’s now possible to buy a washable wool doona that you can clean in your washing machine. In the past, washing wool may have caused it to ‘felt’ i.e. cause the fibres to bind together tightly and shrink. Today’s modern wool quilts have been treated to ensure that this doesn’t happen. 

Adding the Finishing Touches

Creating a cosy bed is not all about the kind of bedding you use. Your child will be excited to go to bed if their quilt covers and pillowcases are adorned with their favourite characters or colours. Whether your little one is into Spiderman, Frozen or they just love the colour yellow; indulge them by buying bedding sets that they can relate to. Other ideas include putting up canopies or curtains that can be drawn around the bed to create a private hideaway. 

Use your imagination and create a cosy bed for your toddler this winter.

How to choose your pillows and quilts if you have allergies

Millions of Australians live with allergies of various descriptions, some with occasional symptoms, some more severe. Sneezing, itchy eyes, eczema, and sinus issues, these are just some of the crippling symptoms of allergies affecting Australians every day. However, one of the key contributing factors can often be overlooked – your quilts and pillows!

That’s right - your quilt and pillows, which you lay to rest with every night, could be wreaking havoc with your allergies.

How do pillows and quilts affect allergies?

Dust mites, sweat, dead skin and other allergens can become trapped within your cushions and pillows, meaning you are wrapping up with such allergens for 6 to 8 hours every single night. Washing pillows and quilts regularly will help to rid your bedding of some of these nasties – but not all. 

If you suffer from allergies, investing in protective anti-allergy bedding could make a significant difference on your quality of sleep, and your quality of life – but there are some things you need to consider:

1.       Know the difference between hypoallergenic and anti-allergy

Some pillows and cushions will be advertised as “hypoallergenic” and others as “anti-allergy” – these are not to be confused as one of the same. 

"Hypoallergenic" means that the pillow or quilt is less likely to cause allergies while an "Anti-allergy" pillow or duvet has been treated specifically to combat the development of dust mites and offer protection against other allergens. 

Therefore, if you want to experience a major difference in your allergy symptoms, an “anti-allergy” quilt or pillow is best choice for you.

2.       Look for a recognised seal of approval

As with any products, there are some that will make claims but be of far less quality than others. Lots of cushions and quilts may be labelled as “aiding allergies” but you can only truly trust in products that carry a seal of approval from a recognised Australian allergy body such as the National Asthma Council Australia, the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy or similar. A product that carries such a seal of approval can be trusted to deliver the anti-allergy benefits it promises.

3.       Ensure they still deliver the comfort and warmth you need

Some brands will only carry anti-allergy duvets in certain weights or pillows of a certain firmness – but you don’t have to compromise. You CAN have the best of both worlds – you just need to shop around. You can purchase anti-allergy pillows and quilts to meet whatever level of comfort and warmth you require with wool quilts and pillows your best bet.

4.       Understand the maintenance and care required

Anti-allergy pillows and quilts can be made from various materials and treated in various ways to offer the anti-allergy protection they promise. Because of this, the level of maintenance and care can vary quite a lot from product to product. Some just require regular washing to provide continued protection, a wool quilt largely just requires regularly airing while other materials require specialist cleaning or the use of specialist cleaning materials.

There is no better investment than in the quality of your sleep and the quality of life. If you are an allergy sufferer, purchasing anti-allergy quilts and pillows could prove a small investment that has significant benefits on your life, now and in the long term.