Question from Stacey
I need to purchase bedding and am trying to keep costs down. I have bedding from Lifekind (latex mattress), and Shepherds Dream (wool mattress). I am happy with both, and will most likely purchase from whoever offers the best deal. I did just discover White Lotus (from your site) and like the prices; however, to choose organic wool adds to the cost significantly (otherwise I would choose White Lotus this time).
I’ve read that you have an organic wool comforter from Shepherds Dream, but I thought they did not have organic wool. Shepherds Dream states they use “Eco Wool” which seems just as good to me. So did you specifically request organic wool from Shepherds Dream?
I see White Lotus uses virgin wool from New Zealand, but not sure if I am comfortable with this. I’ve read of arsenic detected in this wool…
Can you tell me if you still prefer organic wool over New Zealand wool, or even “Eco Wool?” Thanks!
Debra’s Answer
First, here is the description of EcoWool from the Shepherd’s Dream website:
Eco Wool Batting
All of our products are filled entirely with our Premium Eco Wool Batting. Eco Wool is entirely derived from local flocks of sheep that are raised following specific criteria that ensures top quality wool. Our Oregon grown, Eco Wool batting is produced at the Woolgatherer Carding Mill, located down the road from Shepherd’s Dream.
And here’s what they say about organic wool on the same page:
Is Eco Wool Organic?
This is a question many people ask. Eco Wool is not certified organic. At this time very little organic wool is available on the market; almost no organic wool is grown in the United States. We find that Eco Wool is actually cleaner and of higher quality than the organic wool currently available. Eco Wool is produced to the highest standards; some of these standards are beyond those specified for organic materials. We have access to organic wool from New Zealand that is pure and clean, though due to it being only one type of wool, it doesn’t offer the kind of resilience or bounce that our Premium Eco Wool does. Our Eco Wool is a blend of about 7 different types of wool varying from fine to coarse in order to create the most ideal wool fiber for use in bedding. We prefer the quality, loft and sustainability of our Premium Eco Wool, though if you require certified organic wool, you may call our office to put in a special order.
Now let me tell you from my own personal experience. I was actually there many years ago when the Eco Wool standards were written. I helped write them. Certified organic or not, the intent and practice is as good if not better than certified organic.
I see this post is a bit old, but I have some of the same questions and then some. Confusing is to put mildly! I have been looking for both Wool Bolus and also 100% pure shredded latex to make my 4 1/2 yr old grandson some pillows. I keep running into “Organic” from New Zealand wool bolus and seems for some reason people are not being truthful or there just isn’t any “Eco Wool” in the form of Wool Bolus? If you know of some, please email me. If it is not going to be “Organic” then I want to know I am getting something that is very much strict on procedures and highly regarded. Is New Zealand “Organic” wool better then unstated wool from random farmer with no inclusion in the “Eco Wool” standards? Next, I am looking for shredded latex and in the purest form at best price, however I keep hearing of so many people in the game both in this country and abroad. I have seen nasty videos of people shredding foam/latex in the streets in other countries and I am very nervous. I want to find the purest from say Arpico that is shredded her in the US…who is most honest and best? THANKS so much if you could help in any way! Bridgett
Here is the link to the Woolgatherer Carding Mill. They sell wool bolus as pure as possible. I know this because it’s the mill owned by Shepherd’s Dream. I actually helped Shepherd’s Dream develop their EcoWool standards more than 20 years ago, when there were no organic wool standards at all. The founder, Eliana Jantz and I sat down and wrote the standards together. Today Shepherd’s Dream is run by her daughter Sarah, who has kept the same standards. Also much of their wool is now GOTS certified, which is the highest certification for textiles.
You can’t buy from them because they are wholesale only, in fact one of the largest suppliers of wool materials in the USA. But Shepherd’s Dream may be able to sell these materials to you.
Don’t know about shredded latex. Try DIY Natural Bedding. They don’t have shredded latex, but they sell natural latex and she may be able to help you.
Thank you so much for the replies and the great insight! I noticed it is stated that you were involved in the guidelines for both “Eco Wool” and “Pure Grow Wool” and was wondering what the difference are and really which one is better as far as quality and strict guidelines on chemicals, etc.?
Thank you!
Well, I’m not sure how to answer that question, but I found a good page for you to read about Pure Grow Wool that documents my involvement with the development.
Now this was around twenty years ago. If my memory is correct, Pure Grow Wool was the original name. There was a period of time where there were some business changes. Shepherd’s Dream used to be the Natural Bedroom that you will see mentioned in this article. I don’t know all the details but suffice it to say, I believe that Eliana stopped doing business as Natural Bedroom and moved to Montegue and started Shepherd’s Dream. She developed Eco Wool based on those same original principles that we all developed together. If you want wool produced by the original company that came up with the concept, that would be Eco Wool. I’ve known Eliana and her family for almost thirty years and they are just devoted through love to wool, and the sheep and the Earth. They are absolutely dedicated to the purest and best quality wool possible.
Go back and read the post for explanations of Eco Wool and Organic Wool. They had fallen out in transferring the site, but I put them back in for you.
Any suggestions on how to get rid of the strong wool smell from a wool topper (the cover is organic cotton). I turn it to the other side every week and it is getting exposed to fresh air daily and the Florida sun.
Is all Eco Wool created equal? There are several different sites that have Eco Wool listed in thier products, but is all Eco Wool up to the same standards to be called Eco Wool? Thanks.
COMMENT FROM DEBRA:
I called Shepherd’s Dream and here’s the answer.
Their Eco Wool is completely supervised by them and is processed at the “Woolgatherer’s Carding Mill.”
This mill makes more than one grade. Shepherd’s Dream uses the Premium grade of Eco Wool. There are others who use the lesser grades. Just as eco, but with a rougher process.
There is another mattress company that uses an “Eco Wool” that is not the Eco Wool from Shepherd’s Dream.
And I see the term Eco Wool is being used on products beyond bedding, like yarn.
If you have any question about this, ask the seller if this Eco Wool was processed at the “Woolgatherer’s Carding Mill.” If it was, it’s Shepherd’s Dream Eco Wool.