Wool Bedding? Why?

A great night's sleep means a more relaxed, and stress free day. 

Wool is one of the world's most versatile natural fibres. When the best wool types are used to produce fabric or filling, it results in the best wool bedding. For thousands of years, wool has been the natural way to enjoy a comfortable, luxurious and tranquil nights rest.

Today the bedroom is much more than a place for sleeping. It is a quiet haven. A retreat from the stresses of day to day life. Wool provides the perfect mix of strength and softness that gives powerful feelings of safety, security and comfort.

Wool is warm during the winter and cool in the summer. Wool fibres trap millions of microscopic pockets of air and when wool is used in bedding, it is this air that keeps us warm during the coldest of winter nights. In summer, wool's natural temperature regulating properties take over to keep you cool, giving unparalleled comfort.

In addition to premium comfort and multi-climatic temperature control, you can sleep easy knowing that you're utilising one of the worlds most eco-friendly textiles.

Wool's unique structure of amino acids makes it flame resistant, contributing natural safety properties. Its waxy outer layer resists dirt and stains.

Wool's special comfort and safety properties are available in a wide range of beautiful, luxurious - but highly affordable - bedding products, including Woolly Boo's own wool-filled comforters, crib mattress pads, crib bumper pads, pillows, and even wool-filled infant sleep sacks.

Soft and luxurious to touch, the wool fibre is unsurpassed in flexible strength. In fact an individual wool fibre can be bent 20,000 times before it will break. For this reason wool blankets and throw rugs are difficult to tear because wool fibres can be bent backwards and forwards without breaking. An investment in bedding is a long-term investment in quality, comfort and performance.

Types of bedding

Wool filled comforters and pillows

Wool-filled bedding products provide a desirable, luxurious alternative to those made with down/feather or polyester. Wool comforters are more comfortable than polyester because of the wool fibre's superior thermal insulation and moisture absorption qualities.

The cushion effect, or resilience, of the pillow is vital and is determined by the ability of the filling fibre to trap air. Wool is a popular choice for pillow filling, and for filled pillow covers, because of its natural resilience and its thermal qualities. Check out Woolly Boo's toddler pillows and organic quilted shams.

Mattress pad

Similar to a wool filled comforter, the mattress pad is a product with higher density to allow for resting body weight. It also provides the comfort and luxury needed for restful sleep and additional insulation to help the body to maintain the optimum sleeping temperature.

Big thanks to our friends at Woolmark for providing this great information to the public.

Enjoy a better night's sleep with Woolly Boo wool bedding!

Keeping Cool with Wool

Not many people know this, but wool has been known as an ideal SUMMER fabric for a very long time. Recently, I came upon a magazine from 1900's, which contained, among other things, an article about how to keep cool in a sweltering heat of the summer, while wearing a corset. Oh, yes, Edwardian's would know a thing or too about being buttoned up in the heat and staying cool.

Because wool has excellent insulating qualities, it "works" very hard to reduce your body heat. As you are sweating, the wool absorbs the moisture immediately as it leaves your body. But, because it also doesn't have much affinity for moisture, it is not allowed to condense in the material, and it evaporates into the atmosphere. How awesome is that?

Of course, for this to work, the wool has to be completely pure, and not chemically processed. Here at Woolly Boo, we are committed to keeping the wool we use in our products free of any chemicals and toxins. Our wool has been minimally washed using cold water and vinegar, and air dried in the sun. Check it out for yourself by trying our products.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father’s Day to all the hard working, loving dads out there!

Today is their day of rest and a perfect day for fathers to spend some time with their families. Whether it is letting the dad sleep in, making the breakfast, or picking up the kids from school, today we honor all the hard work and time that fathers put into their families, and especially their children.

And remember, quality time with the family will make a father happier than any gift can.

 

Fun in the Sun!

We have all probably heard this too many times, but good information bears repeating: wear your sunscreen. And make sure your kids wear theirs. With sunny days already here, and the official start of the summer around the corner, there are some basics of safe play:

1. Wear your sunscreen. Kids are not big fans of this, especially when it starts melting in the heat and gets into their eyes. So, make sure to go for the brand that is designed for children, as these are more likely not to sting.
2. Wear a lot of sunscreen. Did you know that the recommended quantity of sunscreen is one (1) ounce per application to cover the entire body? Yup. Most people are clearly not wearing enough. Also, make sure to apply sunscreen even under the clothes, since most clothes are not UVA or UVB ray-resistant.
3. Don’t forget the ears! Or the neck, or little feet when applying sunscreen. Our son has very fine hair, so we put sunscreen on his scalp as well. 
4. Protect the eyes. Now that you have their and your skin taken care of, it’s time to protect the eyes. You know how you squint when the sun is too strong, because you can’t see anything from the glare? Well, kids feel the same way. Buy them a cool looking set of shades and show them by example. If the kids are going to be involved in very active play, make sure the shades are appropriate for sports and don’t come off easily. 
5. Cover the head. This could be a tough one, but some kids are OK with it. If they are not, just put sunscreen on their head and hair. 
6. The right clothes. This one always seems to confuse the parents, but trust me, you should take the kids lead on this. If they say they don’t want to wear something because it makes them feel hot, listen to them. And, generally, stay away from anything that is not a natural fabric (100% cotton, linen, or wool) in the summer. Also a good option on a very hot day is sports gear. Soccer and basketball players’ shirts are made of fabric that wicks the moisture away from the body. Our son spent the entire last summer wearing his US Soccer shirt. 
7. Water. Not juice, not soda, not any “vitamin-enhanced” drinks, just plain old water. This should probably be #1 on our list. So, yeah, water. 
8. Snacks. Fruit should always be a first choice, especially in the summer, with all that abundance. However, on very hot days, you should consider giving the kids one snack that contains salt. Why? As any mother who has ever tried to diet can tell you, salt helps you retain water. In the heat of the summer, especially for those little bodies, it is very important. Choose something healthy, like pretzels, or popcorn, or tortilla chips. 
9. Take a break. In a shade. A good time to do this is when offering water and snacks. This way, they can sit in a shade and cool off, lowering their body temperature. 
10. HAVE FUN!

Event Report: The Valerie Fund Walk and 5K Run

Thanks everyone that came out to cheer us on, as well as all the other teams and individuals participating in this year's The Valerie Fund Walk and 5k Run. It was a truly inspirational event. Special thanks go out to Woolly Boo team members, pictured bellow.You ladies rock!

Knit in Public!

Just found out that today is World Wide Knit In Public Day! How cool is that? Well, if you like to knit in public, like say, Sarah Jessica Parker, we hope you are having fun taking part in all the world wide celebrations.

Upcoming Event: The Valerie Fund Walk and 5K Run

This Saturday, June 11, come join the Woolly Boo team at the Verona Park in West Orange, NJ, for the annual The Valerie Fund Walk and 5K Run.

We are very excited to be part of this event for the first time. As a manufacturer of organic wool children's bedding, we are strongly committed to supporting The Valerie Fund and other not-for-profit organizations with mission to improve children's lives. Please come out to Verona Park on June 11th and walk with us. If you can not come to the park, you can sponsor us as we walk in honor of the amazing kids of The Valerie Fund. Thanks in advance for all your support.

Event Report: Biggest Baby Shower by Big City Moms

This was one of those events that every mom should attend once in her lifetime. Because, if she doesn't, she might grow to regret it. Why?!? Well, for example, all attendees this year walked away with a FREE stroller!!! Yup, you read that right. And that was just one of the highlights. The smaller appliances and equipment were too many to write down here. But, you can read all about it on their page.

By all accounts, it was a hugely successful event. The talks and discussions were standing room only. Rooms that had vendors tables were very hard to walk through, especially if you had a belly. And there were some really amazing vendors present. One learns something new every day and wonders where were these things when I had my first baby. You can look at the photos here.

So, congratulations to the organizers. We hope that we made some new friends and that we'll see you again at the next Biggest Baby Shower. Just look for our little sheep.

World Environment Day!

Today is World Environment Day! Similar to Earth Day, it gives us awareness to the many ways we can help save the planet. This year’s theme for World Environment Day is Forests: Nature at Your Service.

Here are some ways you can save the environment while having fun with your family:

• Plant a tree
• Do some gardening
  
• Check out the local farmer’s market
  
• Ride your bike 

And remember to use sunscreen and stay hydrated when partaking in outdoor activities!