Questions our customers often ask

We’ve sold thousands of our luxurious British wool duvets, toppers and pillows over the years. In fact, we’ve been individually handcrafting ours in our workshops on the edge of Dartmoor for over 15 years, introducing the first and original individually handcrafted 100% British wool duvet to the market as far back as 2008.

Our wool filled soft bedding is very special and comes with several benefits that can help you to achieve a more peaceful slumber. It is also very different from bedding made with other fillings, such as feather/feather and down or synthetic/hollowfibre, so we thought it would be helpful to put together a list of our customers’ most frequently asked questions. If you have any other questions, please get in touch and the team will be happy to help.

Are your products made in the UK?

Each of our duvets, toppers and pillows is individually handcrafted - from start to finish - in our Devon workshops, by our experienced seamstresses. We do not ‘prefabricate’ any part of our duvets anywhere in the UK or overseas. We are committed to your wellbeing and to responsible sourcing and so our products are made using only natural and sustainable materials and we have undergone ethical auditing to emphasise this commitment.

Why does wool help you sleep better?

Unlike most other fillings, wool is breathable and moisture wicking, which makes it temperature regulating. It works with your core body temperature to help keep it balanced whilst you sleep. The wool will also work with the ambient temperature of your bedroom, to either retain or release heat as required.

What other benefits does wool have?

In addition to being temperature regulating, wool is naturally resistant to dust mites and the build-up of micro bacteria. That makes it more hygienic than most other fillings. It’s also ideal for those who suffer from dust mite allergens. Wool is naturally fire retardant.

Why do your wool duvets have a different tog rating from other duvets?

Tog ratings were created to denote the ‘insulation factor’ of a duvet. Unlike other fillings that only insulate and so have a fixed tog rating, wool will also release heat if required. This means the insulation factor cannot be fixed and why our wool duvets have a fluctuating tog equivalency. You can find more details about wool duvet tog ratings here.

Where do you get your wool from?

We only ever use 100% British wool and it’s certified as fully traceable from farm to product. We’ve been buying wool from selected farmers, who we know have the highest standards of animal husbandry. Our wool is gathered in the late spring and summer, from live sheep who regrow their wool each year in time for winter. Our selected farmers keep their flocks mainly in Devon, with a few in other parts of the Southwest, and are part of the British Wool traceability programme. This means we pay our farmers an extra premium, over and above the market price.

Why do you use only British wool?

We have been committed to supporting British sheep farmers since we started Devon Duvets. At the time we started, our co-founders and owners, Dick and Pauline, had a small holding of their own and were using wool from their own sheep to make small craft products. It wasn’t long before they were talking to other local farmers to see if they could use their wool to make duvets. British wool has been famous for its quality for over 2,000 years and so by using it, we are crafting products that come with a proud heritage.

Do you use chemicals to clean your wool?

We use British mills to wash and needle our wool, and do not use chemicals at any stage during these processes – which is better for you and for our planet. Washing wool with chemicals also alters the structure of the wool fibres, and we want our wool to remain as natural as possible so that you benefit from its amazing properties.

Do you use 100% cotton for your casings?

The casings for our duvets, toppers and pillows are individually handcrafted in our Devon workshops. For our duvets and pillows, we use a high thread count 100% cotton fabric, woven to our strict specifications and using cotton fibres certified by Better Cotton - a global organisation that promoted better environmental and socio-economic cotton farming practices. We do not use chemicals to bleach our white cotton fabric but use eco-friendly dyes. For our toppers, our beautifully, soft 100% brushed cotton is woven for us in a specialist mill that is OKEO-TEX certified.

Can your wool duvets be washed?

Due to its resistance to dust mites and micro bacteria, wool is naturally hygienic. We recommend regular airing every few weeks to keep the wool nice and fresh. This is best done outside, if the weather is dry, otherwise draped over a clothes airer near an open window to let the air get round the duvet. This is all that is generally required, however, if a deeper clean is needed, our duvets are machine washable on a 30 degrees wool cycle, using a detergent specifically created for wool. A gentle spin to remove excess water and then take immediately out of the machine, reshape and air dry thoroughly. Do not tumble dry. We take a lot of care to ensure our duvets are chemical free, so we do not recommend dry cleaning as this can leave chemical residues. You can find more information about caring for all our products on our information pages as well as on the individual product pages on our website.

How long will my wool duvet last?

As with all products, this will depend on how you care for it. We have customers who have had their Devon Duvets duvet for many years as they have lovingly taken care of it! We have a 5 Year Makers Guarantee that covers faults, for example loose or faulty stitching or if the filling is coming out. Each item is individually handcrafted however, which does ensure that faults are rare. The guarantee does not cover normal wear and tear, nor if the duvet has been damaged due to spills, pets or children, or if the care instructions have not been followed.

Are you able to make bespoke sizes?

As each of our duvets, toppers and pillows is individually handcrafted, here in our Devon-based workshops, we can also make bespoke sizes for campervans, special size beds, sofa beds, etc. All you need do is email us with your enquiry, including accurate measurements in centimetres (and a drawing if any cut outs or angles need to be included), and, after checking with our seamstresses, we will come back to you with a price and a lead time.

Can I recycle my wool duvet, topper or pillow?

Yes, you can! All our products are made with natural and sustainable fibres and materials, so when the time comes to replace them at the end of their life you can recycle them. For example, wool makes excellent compost, so you can put the wool in your composter, or use it to line raised veg or fruit beds. As our wool is not treated with any chemicals, it will break down, realising nutrients into the soil. The cotton fabric can be cut up and use for dusting or cleaning or can be taken to your local recycling centre. Read more.