Wool vs. Synthetics

Natural vs. Synthetic

The most significant difference between polyester and wool is that polyester is a synthetic fabric while wool is natural.

Polyester is a universal name for any fabric or textile made using polyester yarns of fibers. It’s knitted or woven to form silk-like fabrics that are used in clothing, home furnishings, and other industrial purposes. Polyester, or “polyethylene terephthalate,” is a type of plastic (a thermoplastic) that can be melted and reformed. The fabric is developed from a chemical reaction that involves petroleum, air, and water.

Wool is organic and naturally sourced from sheep. This means that it’s made without any chemicals, making it more renewable and sustainable than polyester.
 

Which Is Better?

When making your decision on polyester vs. wool, you should consider the pros and cons of each material. Polyester is versatile and durable but not as breathable or warm as wool. Wool is temperature-regulating and soft but requires special care. Ultimately, which fabric you choose should depend on your needs, budget, and the time you can spend on laundering your fabrics.
 

Polyester vs. Wool

As one of the strongest fabrics available, polyester is widely used across the planet to create multiple products, including polyester bedding. But is polyester or wool better for bedding? That depends on the situation. We’re taking a look at wool vs. polyester bedding to help you choose the best possible sleep environment.
 

Breathability

It’s no secret that overheating in bed can cause sleepless nights — and your synthetic bedding might not be helping. So, does polyester bedding make you sweat? And, is polyester breathable?

Polyester isn’t known as a breathable fabric. Typically, these artificial fabrics can trap moisture and prevent it from escaping, increasing your body temperature and causing night sweats. You’re left feeling uncomfortable and clammy, affecting your sleep.

Unlike wool, polyester does nothing to help regulate your body temperature. Wool is an amazing natural fiber that can absorb up to 30% of its own weight in moisture — meaning that your wool bedding will draw moisture away from your skin at night, keeping you cool and comfortable while you sleep.
 

Durability

The durability of polyester vs. wool depends on how you use them. Polyester is one of the most durable fabrics available. It also resists wrinkling and shrinking and is long-lasting. Wool is also very durable, but not when exposed to high-intensity activities that cause high abrasion. As bedding, wool is durable and largely wrinkle-resistant, but it needs special care.
 

Hypoallergenic

Are you experiencing endless nights of tossing and turning with a blocked nose? Your allergies might be getting in the way of a good night’s sleep. But is polyester hypoallergenic?

Due to the number of chemicals found within synthetic bedding, polyester has the potential to irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions. What’s more, without breathability, polyester bedding creates the perfect environment for dust mites and allergens to thrive.

If you’re looking for a hypoallergenic alternative, natural fabrics and fibers are your best bet. At Woolroom, we have the Allergy UK Seal of Approval — meaning our products are ideal for alleviating your nighttime allergies. The lack of humidity and moisture deters the allergens and provides a cleaner sleep environment.

Find out more about how to combat allergies at night.
 

Warmth

A significant factor in deciding on bedding is wool vs. polyester bedding temperature. Wool can thermoregulate, helping maintain your body temperature regardless of the room’s temperature. Wool keeps you warm in cold weather and cool in warm weather by releasing body heat and wicking moisture away. Polyester, however, doesn’t help with body temperature regulation and can trap heat and humidity. If you’re comparing polyester vs. wool for warmth, wool is the better choice.
 

Cost

Plastic is relatively cheap to produce, so you can find polyester bedding for a low price. Wool takes more work to make, and the cost reflects that work. If you’re shopping for wool, it tends to be more expensive than polyester.
 

Cleaning

Polyester can usually be cleaned in a washing machine and then tossed in the dryer. It doesn’t shrink much and doesn’t wear out quickly in the washing machine. However, it does release microplastics when you wash it, and it’s more challenging to clean than wool. Wool naturally resists dirt and dust, making it easy to clean. Wool fibers are covered in overlapping scales, which makes it easy to brush them off and remove stains. You should avoid drying wool in a dryer, though, as it tends to shrink.
 

Uses

Polyester can be made into anything from coats and curtains to athletic wear and pillowcases. Since manufacturers can make polyester in so many different forms, there are many uses for polyester. Wool is mainly for clothing and bedding and doesn’t have a wide range of uses like polyester. However, when wool is used, it’s usually higher quality than polyester.
 

Flammability

A common question around wool vs. synthetic bedding is “is polyester flammable?” But, as it is typically blended with other fabrics, you can’t be sure how the material will react to an open flame — and it’s not worth the risk. Most synthetics will ignite easily, burn fiercely and then melt at an alarming rate. What’s more, many materials use a chemical treatment to make them fireproof, but not wool. Instead, the natural fiber contains natural fire-retardant properties.

Check out our wool vs. synthetic bedding fire test to see it for yourself.
 

Feel

The feel between polyester vs. wool can vary depending on the quality of polyester. Many polyester fabrics are stiff, but some are soft, especially when used in bedding. The higher-quality polyester used, the softer it will usually be. On the other hand, Wool is naturally soft, regardless of its origin.
 

Sustainability

Many items made with polyester are made from a blend of fiber and other materials, which makes them harder to recycle — and in some cases, impossible. However, businesses are now starting to catch on and are using recycled polyester (rPET) in their clothing, which is typically made from recycled plastic bottles. Although, there are many questions around the sustainability of this material.

Polyester is also a non-biodegradable fabric that can take 20-200 years to fully decompose, making it inherently bad for the planet.

Wool is a completely biodegradable and sustainable source that can be shorn from sheep on an annual basis. It is also biodegradable in nitrogen-rich soils and compost, so you can sleep easily knowing that your wool bedding won’t pollute the environment as it comes to the end of its natural life.
 

Wool vs. Polyester Bedding

Polyester is a common feature of most households, but it’s not always the best option. While it may come with a lower price tag, polyester bedding can cause overheating and allergy flare-ups and is not particularly environmentally friendly.

Sleep makes us healthy, full of vitality, and improves our well-being. It’s one of life’s greatest gifts. That’s why we use natural, British wool fibers over polyester bedding fills. It’s natural, hypoallergenic, and breathable — everything you want from your sleep environment. That’s the Woolroom difference.

Discover your perfect sleep sanctuary with wool bedding. Order online today.