Natural Benefits of Wool

As a sheep farmer, I have explored the wonderful benefits of wool over the years. The more I learn, the more captivated I become.

Not only has wool been used as a material for bedding, clothing and household textiles for centuries, wool boasts many health and environmental benefits that I suspect our ancestors knew well. Unfortunately, with the ease of synthetics, many of us have turned away from wool, and lost some of our intuition regarding wool’s timeless qualities and wide range of use.

Wool needs to be rediscovered. Let me explain why.

Wool is breathable.

Wool boasts wonderful warmth. At the same time, it breathes, and is not stuffy and hot. Wool possesses a natural ability to regulate temperature. Because of this trait, wool can be used in all seasons, and we’ve found it shines as bedding. I use my wool blanket summer and winter, and it provides beautiful comfort in all seasons.

Wool has huge range of use.

The characteristics of wool vary - from breed of sheep to environment the sheep are raised in. Some wool is so fine and soft, it can be next to newborn babies’ skin and makes lovely sweaters and underwear. Other wool can be tough and durable, and perfect for use as carpet, socks, or outerwear.

Wool’s natural insulating qualities make it ideal for insulation. We often have extra wool to spare and have experimented with using it to insulate our shop attic with good success. Wool can be purchased commercially, in batts, as an alternative to conventional insulation.

I use wool as garden fertilizer. I place it into the hole with transplants or potatoes in order to fertilize the soil and hold moisture. Wool can be purchased in pellets that can easily be added to potted plants, or your garden, to provide a slow release of nitrogen and other nutrients.

Crafters find wool fascinating as it can be used for all kinds of projects, such as felting, stuffing, artwork, hand spinning, and plenty more.

Wool is healthy.

We all know wool repels odour and dirt, making it a great choice for those with allergies. But some research also indicates wool may purify the air of common household contaminants such as formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds. Wool shows that it not only neutralizes the air but doesn’t ever remit the chemicals. How amazing is that? This is definitely going to be a consideration in any home renovation project we tackle. Many household textiles - such as bedding, mattresses, and carpets – can all be made from wool.

Wool is good for the environment.

Wool needs zero chemicals to grow back year after year. It is a natural byproduct of having sheep. Unlike synthetic fibres, wool boasts biodegrade-ability and even if it is thrown out, it causes the soil no harm.

Additionally, wool products tend to be extremely durable and long-lasting. That in itself, is a wonderful reason to choose wool.

With careful management, sheep can also be beneficial to the environment. Rotationally grazed on pastures unsuitable for other uses, sheep can regenerate the health of the soil and build biodiversity. On our farm, we have even used sheep successfully to take care of invasive weeds, such as Leafy Spurge.

Wool is good for sheep, farmer, and economy.

With adequate nutrition and a lifestyle free of stress, sheep grow a good quality fleece every year, and after it gets shorn, the renewable process begins again. Sheep need to be sheared at least once per year. A fleece left unshorn becomes extremely uncomfortable and heavy during summer weather. Shearing a sheep takes less than two minutes and is not painful for a sheep.

Unfortunately, the price for Canadian wool is quite low, and because farmers don’t get large compensation for their wool, often it remains unsold or unused. There is need for more wool processing facilities and also educated consumers who consistently choose wool over synthetics.

Some farmers, like us, do direct sell their wool from their farm, and there are a handful of wool mills in Canada who make wonderful and diverse products from local wool. Making use of the wool our sheep produce help us add another source of income to their farm, and, in turn, benefits the local economy.

Source local wool here: Pembina Fibreshed

Check out our wool products here: