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Facts On Wool
- Wool is water repellent: While wool can resist moisture, it can repel liquids. The scales on the outside of the fiber cause liquid to roll off the surface of the wool fabric.
- Wool is fire resistant: Wool is naturally safe. It does not have to be specially treated to become non-flammable. While it can catch alight, it will not flare up nor support a flame. Once the flame is removed a cold ash is left which can be brushed away immediately. Wool does not melt when burned, and so it cannot stick to the skin and cause serious burns.
- Wool is Naturally Elastic: Wool is naturally elastic, greater than that of any other fiber. Wool can be twisted, turned and stretched, and yet it returns to its natural shape. This is why wool carpets retain their springy pile for many years. A wool fiber when dry can be extended by about 30 percent. When wet it will stretch by between 60 and 70 percent.
- Wool Wears Longer: Wool not only wears longer, it also keeps its good appearance and stays new looking longer. It doesn't get ragged in a short space of time. Each wool fiber is made up of millions of "coiled springs" that stretch and give rather than break, and so wool is extremely durable. Wool stands up to the stresses and strains of normal wear because it gives rather than resists friction. The durability and strength of the coarser wool gives us furnishings materials and rugs which retain their good appearance for a long time.
- Wool is Versatile: Wool fabric, knitwear and rugs are made from a wide range of wool types. This means that wool gives designers endless potential for their creations - from delicate fabrics to rugged outdoor wear. Different sheep breeds, each with their own unique fiber characteristics provide manufacturers with different wools for an even wider range of products. Blending various wool types in different ways adds further to wool's versatility. It's a small wonder then, that wool is found in products as diverse as paint-rollers and mattresses, carpets and coats, furnishing fabrics and high-fashion suits, blankets and underwear, curtains and skiwear, wall paper and tennis ball coverings.
- Wool Resists Static: Because wool naturally absorbs moisture from the air; the tendency to collect static electricity is reduced. Walking across a wool carpet, you are less likely to receive a shock when you touch a grounded object.
- Wool Insulates Against Noise: Wool is a wonderful insulator against noise. It absorbs sound and reduces noise level considerably. For this reason wool carpets are often used in offices, restaurants, airport terminals, etc. Wool is also an ideal material used in such places as concert halls to attain the best acoustics possible.
- Wool Resists Dirt: Wool resists dirt, retains its appearance, and stays cleaner longer. Its ability to absorb moisture prevents a build-up of static electricity and therefore wool does not attract lint and dust from the air. Additionally, the crimp in the wool fiber and the scales on the outside of the fiber assist in keeping dirt from penetrating the surface. The same qualities also make it easier to clean.
- Wool Dyes Beautifully: Wool dyes so easily and the range of colors is limitless. The scales on the surface of the wool fiber tend to diffuse light giving less reflection and a softer color. Because proteins in the core of the fiber are reactive, they can absorb and combine with a wide variety of dyes. This means that the wool holds its color well as the dye becomes part of the fiber.
