Wool is a versatile natural material, but just how versatile is it?
Perhaps the most commonly known wool products are knitwear such as socks, jumpers, and suits. But there is more to wool than its place in fashion. For example, it is used in the furniture industry for making chair covers and for upholstery. Many high-end carpets today are made from wool. It’s also used to fill mattresses and those wooly fibers are used in crafting ball covers, pool-table baize, and hanging-basket liners.
Alternative uses of wool are increasing due to its many benefits. As it turns out, wool is a very useful product when oil spills occur. I bet you didn’t know that! Believe it or not, there is even a company in the United Kingdom that makes caskets out of wool. Prince Charles has been known to promote eco-friendly wool caskets.
Several companies are making insulation comprised of wool fibers. Mulch pads made from wool offer an environmentally-friendly alternative to plastic mulches.
And, did you know bricks reinforced with wool (or seaweed) are less toxic than their non-wool counterparts? An entrepreneur in England makes packaging material out of left-over wool. Not only are the wool-insulated boxes better for the environment, but they also have out-performed poly-based insulating material, keeping items twice as cool.
In short, there is more to wool than meets the eye. Next time you put on a wool sweater, or slip on a pair of comfy wool slippers, think about how much this useful material impacts your life on a daily basis.