7 cosy ways to use British wool around your home

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It's cosy, durable, and biodegradable

If there's one material worth investing in, it's wool. Not only is it well-known for being cosy, but wool (especially British wool) is a more natural, more sustainable resource.

Chris Tattersall, owner and sleep expert at Woolroom, explains: "Once your wool item (be it bedding, carpet or any other homeware) has run its course, wool is able to biodegrade within 18 months to form a nitrogen-rich compost – unlike fibres including polyester, which takes up to 500 years to break down, and feather and down, which can take up to 15 years.

"Wool also only takes 60-90 days to naturally and fully biodegrade in water, such as in our oceans, making it a more healthy, sustainable and versatile fibre, particularly if washed."

First things first: it's soft, cosy, and durable, meaning you’ll be snuggling up under your favourite woollen throw for years to come. It's also an excellent choice for use throughout the home, including in your bedroom.

"Wool can benefit your health due to its chemical-free, hypoallergenic and temperature-regulating benefits, and the planet, due to wool being a sustainable and eco-friendly fibre," says Chris.

"In particular, for our sleep, having wool bedding is hugely beneficial. Being 100% natural, wool is an effective material for regulating body temperature, as it absorbs perspiration as you sleep and releases it into the atmosphere during the day. In addition, wool is fully hypoallergenic, meaning those of us who suffer from asthma or other allergies will be unaffected by wool compared to other fibre types."

Yes, and in lots of different ways, too. According to Recycle Now – the national recycling campaign for England and Northern Ireland – you have several options. They say: "Unwanted wool can be donated to local charity shops, textile recycling shops or community groups for re-sale and re-use.

"Some clothing and textiles collection bags or banks will allow you to put balls of wool in – always check first. Alternatively, you could donate it to an organisation such as Workaid which collects wool, knitting and sewing machines, needles and patterns, and other tools and materials, for use in Africa."

For keen gardeners, Chris adds: "When your wool homeware has come to the end of its life, the wool can be placed on a compost heap to decompose naturally and will create nitrogen-rich compost that is perfect for plants and use around the garden.’

When it comes to making more sustainable purchases and lifestyle choices, reduction should always come before recycling. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. It's also important to know how to recycle as best we can. Read our guide on how to recycle household items, furniture, electronics, beauty waste, fashion and tech. READ NOW

This wool duvet is temperature-regulating and naturally hypoallergenic, so you're sure to get a good night's sleep. It's hand-crafted from traceable (back to the farm) British wool, with a 200 thread count cotton outer. This means it consists of 100% natural fibres and materials with no synthetic inner liners.

A colourful and stylish way to dress up your bed. The outer is made from 100% organic cotton produced in Turkey, whilst the inner filling is 100% British wool - a combination guaranteed to keep you cosy and comfortable.

Handcrafted in Yorkshire using finely combed, 100% traceable British Cheviot wool and certified organic cotton, this plump pillow is a cut above the rest.

Made with 100% British wool, this cosy blanket from WoolyKnit is perfect for snuggling up with. We love the sweet addition of a knitted sheep border and pattern detail. Available in ten eye-catching shades - just pick your favourite.

Humans aren't the only ones who need to keep warm this winter, so treat your faithful friend to the perfect place to snuggle up. This dog bed has been designed in conjunction with a vet in order to be as supportive as possible.

The wool needed to create the tweed has excellent thermal properties, allowing your pooch to feel warm in the winter, and cool in the summer.

This luxurious duvet is handcrafted in Devon and uses certified 100% British wool filling, giving it a plump and cosy finish. Devon Duvets are a family-run business, established in 2008. They're committed to responsible sourcing for all the materials used to make their products.

Woven from undyed British wool, this rug is a brilliant mix of contemporary and classic design. Just what you need to keep your toes toasty in the colder months.

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