Does Wisewool™ have a wool smell?
A common question about Wisewool™ is whether it smells of wool. The answer lies in its natural origins and premium processing. Some people enjoy the faint smell of wool, while others cannot have it around them. Here’s why the slight aroma is a mark of quality and how we ensure a natural, clean product for manufacturers.
Key Takeaways:
Natural Aroma: Wool's earthy scent comes from lanolin, a natural oil that reflects its purity and organic origins.
Grading for Quality: Wisewool™ selects premium, clean body wool, ensuring minimal odour and consistent quality.
Double-Wash Process: Thorough washing and scouring techniques eliminate most impurities while preserving wool's natural properties.
Odour Management: Eco-friendly additives reduce the wool scent without affecting the wool's natural feel.
Aeration Tips: Letting Wisewool™ breathe after delivery helps reduce any remaining wool smell.
Why Does Wool Smell?
Wool often carries a light smell due to lanolin, a natural oil sheep produce to protect their fleece. Lanolin gives wool its characteristic earthy aroma, which is perfectly normal and a sign of its pure and natural composition.
Other factors that can contribute to wool’s scent include:
Sheep’s Environment: Exposure to grass, soil, and vegetation during grazing can leave traces in the fleece.
Processing Methods: The cleanliness and preparation of wool directly impact its final scent.
At Wisewool™, we embrace this natural aroma as it underscores our commitment to working with authentic, sustainable materials.
Why some wool smells less than others?
The secret here is to select premium body wool. This is wool with no B-grade, poorer-quality wool in it, such as bellies and pieces. The selection of quality wool is controlled in the shearing sheds and the classing stores. Bellies and pieces in sheep wool refer to the shorter, coarser, and often dirtier wool shorn from the belly and edges of the fleece, typically used for lower-grade products.
Is the smell of wool bad for you?
The natural scent of wool, caused by lanolin, is harmless and a sign of its purity. This earthy aroma is free from harmful chemicals and reflects wool’s organic origins. The smell of wool is not only safe but also a testament to its sustainability and quality.
How Grading Ensures the Best Wool and Reduces the Smell
Not all wool is created equal, and grading is crucial to ensure consistent quality. Wisewool™ is selected with precision based on:
Colour and Purity: We prioritise bright, clean wool with minimal vegetable matter.
Body Wool Quality: Our focus is on wool shorn from the body, avoiding fleece from areas like the sheep’s backside that may carry stronger odours.
By choosing only the best wool, we ensure a superior product with a lighter scent.
The Double-Washing Process
All Wisewool™ goes through an intensive washing and scouring process to remove dirt, lanolin, and other residues:
Hot and Cold Baths: Our wool is washed twice in hot and cold baths to ensure it’s exceptionally clean.
Clean Scouring Facilities: We insist on having our wool processed when scouring machines are freshly cleaned, ensuring it’s washed in pristine water for the best results.
“This double-wash process ensures a product that is cleaner and free from excess impurities while still retaining its natural properties.”
Angus Hansen
How does Wisewool™ Manage Wool Odour in Scouring?
To further reduce the wool scent we add an odour-disposing agent. This gentle, eco-friendly addition helps mask some of the lanolin’s scent without compromising the wool’s integrity or natural feel.
Letting Wisewool™ Breathe
When Wisewool™ arrives at factories, it is often wrapped in protective plastic packaging to ensure cleanliness and safety during transit. This can temporarily trap some of the natural wool aroma.
We recommend:
Opening the Packaging Early: Open the ends of the roll packaging or unbale Wisewool™ upon arrival.
Allowing Ventilation: Let the wool “breathe” in an open-air environment.
Natural Dissipation: The slight smell of wool naturally dissipates as the fibres aerate, leaving a fresh and neutral scent.
Embracing the Natural Aroma
The slight wool scent of Wisewool™ is a hallmark of its purity and authenticity. Unlike synthetic materials or blended wool products, which often have chemical off-gassing odors, wool’s natural aroma highlights its sustainable origins. At Wisewool™, we celebrate this as part of our mission to provide a product that is natural, renewable, and proudly New Zealand-made.
In Summary
Yes, Wisewool™ may have a slight wool aroma, but this is a testament to its natural, pure qualities. Through careful grading, double washing, and natural odour management, we ensure a clean and fresh product. By allowing Wisewool™ to breathe after delivery, any residual smell naturally dissipates, leaving manufacturers with a premium material ready for use in high-quality mattresses, bedding and furniture products.
Curious about Wisewool™ and how it fits into your products? Contact us today to learn more about its natural benefits and premium quality.