Wool felt is an important material for interior design and the manufacture of accessories. How is felt made and what makes it so valuable for us?
Wool felt belongs to the "non-woven" textiles and is made of sheep's wool or virgin wool. It is probably one of the oldest fabrics in human history. The wool can be felted, strengthened and compressed by moisture, heat and friction. This creates an even, flat cloth without a weave structure, the wool felt.
First, the raw wool is cleaned and carded (prepared into fleece). Then, by mechanical fulling and hammering in combination with warm water, the fibers of the wool are tightly bound together, intertwined in a disorderly manner and interlocked. The process can be accelerated and strengthened by soapy water. This process can be done industrially on a large scale or by hand for artistic purposes. Depending on the type of wool and the duration and strength of the processing, the felt can go from fluffy soft to board hard. In the process, the felt shrinks: the surface area decreases up to 50%.
The wool fibers have scaly plates (cuticle scales) on the surface, which act like barbs. They stand up when exposed to moisture and heat. If friction is applied to the fibers, they are joined together and hook into each other.
Due to the lanolin (wool wax or also called wool grease) contained in the felt, water drops first bead up on the surface before they can soak in. This means that they can simply be tapped or dabbed off. Dirt also has a hard time penetrating the fibers and contaminating the felt because of the natural grease layer. This can be thought of as a lotus effect.
The natural fiber wool is very heat resistant. Even at high heat it does not burn, but chars from about 320°C. Due to the density of the felt, oxygen hardly reaches the wool, which additionally inhibits combustion. To really do no harm to the products, you can expose the wool felt to temperatures up to about 220°C.
The fibers of wool felt dampen noise and swallow sounds: as soon as the sound waves hit the felt, they are not reflected, as by a hard surface. The soft surface of the felt with its irregular fibers and air pockets absorbs the sound. Thus, by using wool felt and wool felt products, you can provide a little more peace and silence in your rooms.
Actually, in the case of felt, it is not the wool at all that is responsible for the heat-insulating properties, but the air trapped in the felt, which is a poor conductor and prevents heat exchange. The wool fibers therefore lock the air in, so that it can circulate poorly within the felt. In this case, the wool serves only as a "natural carrier" of the air. That is why the felt is so comfortable in both heat and cold.
Wool felt is permeable to water vapor, and can transport moisture on the wool fiber. It can absorb up to 50% of its weight in water vapor, store it and then gradually release it back into the environment. At the same time it does not loose its insulating properties. Felt is soft, pleasant to the touch and, being a natural material, does not cause irritation to the skin.
In many of our living spaces are used building materials that release formaldehyde into the room air. In the scientific work of Stefan Thomé from , it was proven that wool can bind some pollutants: The felt contains the wool protein keratin, which, together with the substances lysine, tyrosine and tryptophan, absorbs pollutants from the indoor air. Thus, wool felt can contribute to a healthier and cleaner indoor air.
Wool is a natural, renewable raw material. The felt or wool can be broken down again into its elementary components by microorganisms. Minerals and nitrogen are released in the process, similar to horn chips. That is why wool is also used as a fertilizer. It is biodegradable or compostable and thus returns to the natural cycle.
1. Wicking that works
Nature knows what it&#;s doing. Water does not hurt felt. In fact, wool is the most hydrophilic of fibers. Felt can absorb up to 30% moisture and still feel dry to the touch. First, merino felt quickly absorbs moisture away from the surface and into the body of the felt. Then, through a natural process called wicking, moisture is continuously drawn outward along the fibers where it turns to vapor in the tiny air spaces created in the felting process (more on that below). From there is a short trip back to the surface where it evaporates away.
2. Stain and dirt resistant
Our merino fibers are sealed in the dying process to create a natural barrier against stains. Fortunately, most common stains are actually not stains at all, they are residue that has become trapped between the fine merino fibers as water moisture is pulled away by wicking. No problem, spot cleaning is easy. With a simple mix of warm water, light detergent and a little massaging, the trapped residue lifts and washes away with a thorough rinse. Remove excess moisture with an absorbent towel, lay flat and let the natural wicking process do its thing till dry. Here&#;s more on how to care for your felt products.
3. Lightweight
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Our merino fibers are extra curly and spring-like. When you put a lot of them all together and interlock the curls tightly, you get a strong, lightweight felt. But here&#;s what&#;s most fascinating: merino felt is classed as a lightweight textile because much of its bulk is actually empty space. Yep, it&#;s true. The irregular spring-like shape of the curls prevents individual fibers from aligning too closely. The separation creates a lot of empty space in between, which means, the more empty space, the lighter the textile. All without losing structure or strength.
4. Strong and durable
We chose felt as our signature textile for its simple, natural beauty and endless utility. With millions of years in the test labs of nature, it&#;s not surprising that many tech fabrics are modeled after the natural benefits and attributes of merino fibers. Their tensile strength and spring-like flexibility give felt unmatched strength. It can be fully bent 20,000 times before failing. Merino wool felt can take temperatures up to 300ºF for long periods without damage and they are impervious to cold. The fibers are also completely water-safe and clean easily. They take on rich saturated color while maintaining a natural antibacterial coating, they can even neutralize formaldehyde (your body will thank you). The list goes on &#; literally, keep reading.
5. Soft and scratch-free
Many types of wool are itchy, we don&#;t use those. That&#;s because some wools fibers are so course the cut ends actually poke the skin causing itchiness. The secret to merino&#;s soft touch is simple: the thinner the fiber, the softer the felt. The average diameter of merino fibers makes them naturally flexible allowing them to softly bend and give way when they come against the skin.
6. Odor resistant
Merino wool is known and prized for its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. The thin waxy coating on wool fiber contains fatty acids that naturally inhibit the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria. This means that woolen items do not need regular washing and will remain fresh after repeated use, unlike many synthetic fibers.
7. Sustainable and renewable.
Merino wool is rapidly renewable, biodegradable, recyclable and can be produced naturally with minimal negative impact. But all that is just half the story. Sustainability is about more than where things come from. It&#;s also about where it goes, its purpose, and how it stands the test of time. Things built to last do not require constant replacements. Less is more.
8. Oeko-Tex® natural, non-toxic dyes.
It&#;s more than just the rich beauty and saturated color, it&#;s what goes into it. Oeko-Tex®natural dyes are the forefront of natural sustainable color technology. All Graf Lantz felt is certified to Oeko-Tex® International standards. No toxins, no residue, no odor, no yuck. No worries!
9. No Pilling!
Nothing says low quality felt like pilling. Graf Lantz merino felt does not pill. That&#;s because the fibers we use are very long. Felted fibers don&#;t separate easily in the first place, but longer fibers hold everything together over a much broader area preventing migration. No migration, no loose fibers, no pilling.
10. Great for all season weather
A common perception for felt is that of a winter-only textile, that&#;s understandable. When most people think of wool they usually stop at big, heavy, warm, itchy sweaters. But not so fast, 10 out of 10 merino sheep would strongly disagree. The points above show how felt is tough and adaptable with utility in every season. Obviously, a felt wedding dress in August might be a bad call. But for just about any other purpose felt does its job well no matter the weather.
Wool felt is an important material for interior design and the manufacture of accessories. How is felt made and what makes it so valuable for us?
Wool felt belongs to the "non-woven" textiles and is made of sheep's wool or virgin wool. It is probably one of the oldest fabrics in human history. The wool can be felted, strengthened and compressed by moisture, heat and friction. This creates an even, flat cloth without a weave structure, the wool felt.
First, the raw wool is cleaned and carded (prepared into fleece). Then, by mechanical fulling and hammering in combination with warm water, the fibers of the wool are tightly bound together, intertwined in a disorderly manner and interlocked. The process can be accelerated and strengthened by soapy water. This process can be done industrially on a large scale or by hand for artistic purposes. Depending on the type of wool and the duration and strength of the processing, the felt can go from fluffy soft to board hard. In the process, the felt shrinks: the surface area decreases up to 50%.
The wool fibers have scaly plates (cuticle scales) on the surface, which act like barbs. They stand up when exposed to moisture and heat. If friction is applied to the fibers, they are joined together and hook into each other.
Due to the lanolin (wool wax or also called wool grease) contained in the felt, water drops first bead up on the surface before they can soak in. This means that they can simply be tapped or dabbed off. Dirt also has a hard time penetrating the fibers and contaminating the felt because of the natural grease layer. This can be thought of as a lotus effect.
The natural fiber wool is very heat resistant. Even at high heat it does not burn, but chars from about 320°C. Due to the density of the felt, oxygen hardly reaches the wool, which additionally inhibits combustion. To really do no harm to the products, you can expose the wool felt to temperatures up to about 220°C.
The fibers of wool felt dampen noise and swallow sounds: as soon as the sound waves hit the felt, they are not reflected, as by a hard surface. The soft surface of the felt with its irregular fibers and air pockets absorbs the sound. Thus, by using wool felt and wool felt products, you can provide a little more peace and silence in your rooms.
Actually, in the case of felt, it is not the wool at all that is responsible for the heat-insulating properties, but the air trapped in the felt, which is a poor conductor and prevents heat exchange. The wool fibers therefore lock the air in, so that it can circulate poorly within the felt. In this case, the wool serves only as a "natural carrier" of the air. That is why the felt is so comfortable in both heat and cold.
Wool felt is permeable to water vapor, and can transport moisture on the wool fiber. It can absorb up to 50% of its weight in water vapor, store it and then gradually release it back into the environment. At the same time it does not loose its insulating properties. Felt is soft, pleasant to the touch and, being a natural material, does not cause irritation to the skin.
In many of our living spaces are used building materials that release formaldehyde into the room air. In the scientific work of Stefan Thomé from , it was proven that wool can bind some pollutants: The felt contains the wool protein keratin, which, together with the substances lysine, tyrosine and tryptophan, absorbs pollutants from the indoor air. Thus, wool felt can contribute to a healthier and cleaner indoor air.
Wool is a natural, renewable raw material. The felt or wool can be broken down again into its elementary components by microorganisms. Minerals and nitrogen are released in the process, similar to horn chips. That is why wool is also used as a fertilizer. It is biodegradable or compostable and thus returns to the natural cycle.
1. Wicking that works
Nature knows what it&#;s doing. Water does not hurt felt. In fact, wool is the most hydrophilic of fibers. Felt can absorb up to 30% moisture and still feel dry to the touch. First, merino felt quickly absorbs moisture away from the surface and into the body of the felt. Then, through a natural process called wicking, moisture is continuously drawn outward along the fibers where it turns to vapor in the tiny air spaces created in the felting process (more on that below). From there is a short trip back to the surface where it evaporates away.
2. Stain and dirt resistant
Our merino fibers are sealed in the dying process to create a natural barrier against stains. Fortunately, most common stains are actually not stains at all, they are residue that has become trapped between the fine merino fibers as water moisture is pulled away by wicking. No problem, spot cleaning is easy. With a simple mix of warm water, light detergent and a little massaging, the trapped residue lifts and washes away with a thorough rinse. Remove excess moisture with an absorbent towel, lay flat and let the natural wicking process do its thing till dry. Here&#;s more on how to care for your felt products.
3. Lightweight
Our merino fibers are extra curly and spring-like. When you put a lot of them all together and interlock the curls tightly, you get a strong, lightweight felt. But here&#;s what&#;s most fascinating: merino felt is classed as a lightweight textile because much of its bulk is actually empty space. Yep, it&#;s true. The irregular spring-like shape of the curls prevents individual fibers from aligning too closely. The separation creates a lot of empty space in between, which means, the more empty space, the lighter the textile. All without losing structure or strength.
4. Strong and durable
We chose felt as our signature textile for its simple, natural beauty and endless utility. With millions of years in the test labs of nature, it&#;s not surprising that many tech fabrics are modeled after the natural benefits and attributes of merino fibers. Their tensile strength and spring-like flexibility give felt unmatched strength. It can be fully bent 20,000 times before failing. Merino wool felt can take temperatures up to 300ºF for long periods without damage and they are impervious to cold. The fibers are also completely water-safe and clean easily. They take on rich saturated color while maintaining a natural antibacterial coating, they can even neutralize formaldehyde (your body will thank you). The list goes on &#; literally, keep reading.
5. Soft and scratch-free
Many types of wool are itchy, we don&#;t use those. That&#;s because some wools fibers are so course the cut ends actually poke the skin causing itchiness. The secret to merino&#;s soft touch is simple: the thinner the fiber, the softer the felt. The average diameter of merino fibers makes them naturally flexible allowing them to softly bend and give way when they come against the skin.
6. Odor resistant
Merino wool is known and prized for its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. The thin waxy coating on wool fiber contains fatty acids that naturally inhibit the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria. This means that woolen items do not need regular washing and will remain fresh after repeated use, unlike many synthetic fibers.
7. Sustainable and renewable.
Merino wool is rapidly renewable, biodegradable, recyclable and can be produced naturally with minimal negative impact. But all that is just half the story. Sustainability is about more than where things come from. It&#;s also about where it goes, its purpose, and how it stands the test of time. Things built to last do not require constant replacements. Less is more.
8. Oeko-Tex® natural, non-toxic dyes.
It&#;s more than just the rich beauty and saturated color, it&#;s what goes into it. Oeko-Tex®natural dyes are the forefront of natural sustainable color technology. All Graf Lantz felt is certified to Oeko-Tex® International standards. No toxins, no residue, no odor, no yuck. No worries!
9. No Pilling!
Nothing says low quality felt like pilling. Graf Lantz merino felt does not pill. That&#;s because the fibers we use are very long. Felted fibers don&#;t separate easily in the first place, but longer fibers hold everything together over a much broader area preventing migration. No migration, no loose fibers, no pilling.
10. Great for all season weather
A common perception for felt is that of a winter-only textile, that&#;s understandable. When most people think of wool they usually stop at big, heavy, warm, itchy sweaters. But not so fast, 10 out of 10 merino sheep would strongly disagree. The points above show how felt is tough and adaptable with utility in every season. Obviously, a felt wedding dress in August might be a bad call. But for just about any other purpose felt does its job well no matter the weather.