We never expected “prepare a topper for a NASA test mission” to land on our production schedule. But that’s exactly what happened back in fall 2025. That’s when the Woolroom team fulfilled an order for 16 wool mattress toppers to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.
What is the NASA Mission?
While we don’t know much, what we do know speaks to Mother Nature’s genius in creating the miracle fiber we know as “wool.” NASA is preparing a mission to study the effect of high oxygen environments on the body. With the hope that an oxygen-enriched environment (28.5% compared to earth’s atmosphere of 21% oxygen) reduces “pre-breath time” before astronauts get into the space suit when they go into space.
The high oxygen comes with a risk of increased flammability, ruling out common bedding materials like polyester and nylon that melt quickly in the event of a fire, sticking to the body and causing severe second degree burns. Wool is a natural flame resistant fiber which met NASA’s strict technical standards and requirements for testing.
When the order came through, it was a moment that made our whole team smile. What’s more, it sparked a conversation about something wool has done remarkably well for thousands of years: stay naturally flame resistant without chemicals.
Wool’s Fire Resistance: What Makes It Special
Wool has long been valued in technical, high-demand environments, from mountaineering gear to aviation layers, and it’s not surprising that agencies and organizations with complex safety protocols often include wool-based items in their procurement pipelines. The unique structure of wool fibers gives it rare fire-resistant properties that don’t depend on additives or treatments—a feature that continues to stand out even in modern material science.
So, what makes nature’s wonder fiber naturally fire resistant? It’s all thanks to its chemical composition, which serves it in two ways. Wool fibers contain high levels of nitrogen and water. When they’re exposed to flame, they tend to self-extinguish instead of melting, dripping, or spreading fire. For wool to truly ignite, it must be exposed to extreme high temperatures—in the neighborhood of 1,058°F/570°C— and requires higher oxygen levels than many synthetic fabrics and even other naturally sourced materials, like cotton.
As wool smolders, it forms a charred insulation layer that helps prevent flames from traveling. Plus, it doesn’t release harmful smoke or molten plastic droplets typical of synthetics exposed to extreme heat. It’s a stellar combination that makes wool a standout for anyone who cares about low-toxicity materials and safer sleep environments in everyday homes and, occasionally, outer space.
A Safer Sleep Environment, Naturally
Most people associate wool with warmth. And while its ability to regulate temperature and wick moisture means wool is ideal for staying cool when it’s cold and cool when it’s warm, wool’s fire resistance is arguably its most underrated benefit. That’s especially true when it comes to bedding.
It’s this impressive trait that means Woolroom can create toppers, mattresses, and bedding collections that meet fire-safety standards without relying on chemical flame retardants. For families, allergy-sensitive sleepers, and eco-focused households, that distinction really matters.
Why Natural Fire Resistance Matters More Than Ever
An awareness shift over the last few years means people are paying closer attention to hidden chemicals in their homes and bedrooms especially. Synthetic flame retardants are the standard in mattresses and toppers made with synthetic materials, like polyurethane and memory foams, in order to meet fire-safety regulations. While these additives get the job done, more people are questioning how they contribute to off-gassing, poor indoor air quality, and the overall accumulation of chemicals in something that they spend hours on night after night.
This recognition is part of a bigger movement towards cleaner, safer sleep spaces. It makes sense! Families want bedding that feels good, performs well, and keeps chemical exposure to an absolute minimum. Natural wool bedding from Woolroom delivers on all three fronts. Sleep easier knowing that with wool bedding, you and your family are spared from additives, coatings and petrochemical blends.
Our fully traceable, ethically sourced wool comes from British farms that abide by the five freedoms outlined in the UK Animal Welfare Act of 2006. It means the wool in our bedding isn’t just naturally safer for your home and family, it’s also produced with integrity, transparency, and genuine care for the animals and environment.
How Woolroom Met NASA’s Fire Safety Standards, Naturally
While fire-safety regulations for bedding vary depending on where you live, both the US and the UK have stringent standards. NASA, as you can imagine, has the strictest of all of their space missions. The impressive wool fiber meets these requirements without the need for chemical treatments, and it’s all thanks to its natural structure.
At Woolroom, all of our wool bedding (the toppers, mattresses and bedding staples like pillows and comforters) is made with British wool that retains its natural fire-resistant properties. It means our products are fully compliant with flammability standards thanks to the natural performance of the fiber alone. It’s one of many reasons that Woolroom’s wool bedding products are designed around the strengths of this single, remarkable material, with no need for synthetic retrofitting, treatments, or blending. It’s fire-safe bedding, naturally.
Sustainable Safety: Wool as a Low-Toxicity Alternative
While safety and sustainability tend to be separate conversations, there’s a lot of overlap when it comes to natural wool. Unlike petroleum-based foams and synthetic fiber blends, wool is renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, durable and produced without the harsh chemicals associated with any number of modern textiles. Its natural fire resistance means fewer chemical treatments throughout the supply chain, from production to the finished product you bring into your home. By choosing wool, you’re selecting a material that protects on multiple levels: the sleeper, the home, and the planet.
What This Moment Reminded Us About Wool
When NASA placed a procurement order for our wool toppers, it was an acute reminder about a fundamental truth of the fiber we work with every day. Wool has been trusted for centuries wherever safety, reliability and performance matter—and that includes outer space. Seeing it in this context just reinforced what we already know: nature really did design the most incredible fiber imaginable.
NASA does not endorse or promote commercial products. The reference to a procurement order is factual and not intended to imply endorsement, partnership, or evaluation.
