What is the best bedding for sleep?

Googling “How to get to sleep” will bring up plenty of results!  Surprisingly, which bedding is most conducive to sleep is much harder to find.  It’s not in the ‘top ten sleep tips’ or the ‘ABC of sleep’.

Wool has been used for centuries to sleep in, on or under, and is scientifically proven to be good for sleep.  Merino wool is grown by the Merino breed of sheep and has become the wool of choice.  It has exceptionally fine fibres, making it feel soft and luxurious.  Merino wool is graded according to the ‘fine-ness’ of its fibre.  Fine, superfine and ultrafine are some of the terms used.

The science of wool bedding

There is a growing body of research supporting the therapeutic benefits of wool.  A study recently conducted by the University of Sydney examined the effect of sleeping on wool in warmer and colder temperatures.  The study found wool sleeping apparel and bedding increased total sleep time, promoted sleep onset and improved sleep efficiency.   In hot conditions above 29°C, participants in the clinical trial slept significantly longer, and woke up less frequently.  In cold (17°C) temperatures, the combination of wool sleepwear and bedding saw participants sleep more efficiently compared to when tested using non-wool sleepwear and bedding.

An article in the Medical Journal of Australia (1984) asserted that using a woollen underlay aided sleep.  700 sleepers participated in a study where a mattress pad or underlay was placed between the mattress and sheet.  90% of the testers gave positive feedback, reporting sleep improvement.  In addition, a significant number of participants suffering from various forms of arthritis, rheumatism and back ailments reported relief from various symptoms such as stiffness and pain.

To give greater scientific weight to the above study (Medical Journal of Australia, 1984) time-lapse photography was used to record body movement of sleepers.  The sleeper started the camera just before going to sleep and turned if off when waking up in the morning, also completing a survey about the quality of their sleep.  Different mattresses and bedding were used.  The photographs showed, on average, less movement of those sleeping on a woollen underlay, compared to the control surface.  Those sleepers reported feeling better in the morning, and sleeping better than usual.

Why is wool ‘sleep friendly’?  Wool has unique thermal properties not found in any other textile.  Interestingly, textile manufacturers have not been successful in using modern technology to replicate wool synthetically.  Also, wool is a natural fibre, which means it is breathable.