The best bedding for your health
Guest Blogger
| 3 min read
My husband and I recently built our kids new loft beds. We started out with some plain pieces of lumber and the finished project looked awesome! Once the beds were up, we began to think about bedding. In the past, we would’ve gone with whatever we could find that was cute, cheap and matched the wall color. But that was before I heard about the amazing properties of wool.
Wool isn’t just for clothing, it’s also an optimal choice for bedding. Sleeping on wool sheets can improve your sleep because wool absorbs nighttime sweat, keeping your skin dry and comfortable. It also regulates body temperature so that you’re warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Regardless of room temperature, your body will hover right around 98.6 degrees. Studies have shown that those sleeping with wool bedding fall asleep more quickly and subsequently experience more efficient sleep.
Beyond better quality sleep, wool products are naturally flame retardant, hypoallergenic and help eliminate dust mites. And wool mattress toppers provide soft cushioning for shoulders, hips and knees. People who suffer from fibromyalgia, arthritis and rheumatism find that wool buffers their sore body parts from their mattresses.
However, not all wool is created equal. Many wool products are processed with a slew of chemicals, including hydrochloric acid. To learn more, we recently attended a field trip to the oldest wool mill in Michigan.
The Frankenmuth Woolen Mill dates back to 1894. For over 115 years they have been producing premier wool products and they still use many of the same procedures and equipment from the mill’s inception. The wool is processed in 170-degree water with a bio-degradable soap. This method retains much of the wools natural lanolin, keeping the wool soft and supple. The Frankenmuth Woolen Mill uses no chemicals in their processing. Instead, they use good old-fashioned steam, creating the purest wool batting available. They then air dry and comb their wool to prep for sewing.
On our field trip we were able to see the century-old machines at work. We learned things like that wool is the strongest natural fiber on earth and that there around 1,000 different kinds of sheep. And the common thought that wool is itchy? That’s mostly Shetland sheep wool, which is best suited for rugs and not sweaters.
Through December 31, 2013, the owners of the Frankenmuth Woolen Mill have graciously offered a 20 percent-off discount on any in stock wool bedding. Print this page of the blog off and use that as an in-store coupon or use the code “blog 1000” online at www.thewoolenmill.com. Feel good knowing your wool has not been treated chemically and that you’re supporting a local Michigan business.
About Us:
Jen, Lisa and Ginny are moms (both part-time working and stay at home) who have a passion for getting kids outdoors. Stemming from their backgrounds in health and fitness and education, they are driven by trying to provide a carefree childhood coupled with all the health and developmental benefits that outside time provides. They have nine kids amongst them who all love running, building, picnicking, playing and napping in the open air. Their blog, 1000 Hours Outside is meant to encourage moms and caregivers every where to take their kids outside more and discover all of the amazing benefits. 1000 Hours Outside hosts monthly gift card and product giveaways to give families that extra incentive to make this investment into free play in the open air.
