The Beauty of Un-Dyed Wool:
Product featured above: Knot & Co Naturale
What is un-dyed wool? Un-dyed wool is exactly what it sounds like, wool that has never gone through the dying process. It is physically processed just like any other wool: cleaned, carded, spun, and plied. Once plied, the wool has become yarn. Typically, when wool has reached the yarn stage it would then be dyed, but for un-dyed wool this step is skipped entirely.
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Product featured above: Naturale Collection by Knot & Co
If you are looking for a cozy rustic look, un-dyed wool can add amazing texture and a natural appearance. No two un-dyed wool rugs will look exactly the same, any wool has natural color variations, even the same sheep can produce a slightly different shade of color from year to year. The unique, textural and tonal look of un-dyed wool comes specifically from these natural colors, they always have a variegated or "heathered" look. For some, this natural variation makes the rug that much more appealing and special, for others who are looking for more regularity, un-dyed wool may not be the ideal direction.
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Products featured above: Knot & Co Havana Collection & Couristan Purity Honey-Locust (broadloom)
Because it is so unique and appealing there are many un-dyed wool products available, especially area rugs and wall to wall carpeting. We have several area rug collections made with un-dyed wool from some of our favorite companies including Knot & Co, Dash & Albert, and Oriental Weavers. Check out some of our favorite un-dyed collections: Helena, Havana, Naturale, Capri, Infused, and York. We also have many broadloom (wall-to-wall) products from Couristan, Stanton, Prestige Mills, and Masland. If you would like to see the full range of un-dyed wool products in person please stop by our showroom anytime Monday - Saturday from 9am to 5pm (just remember to wear your face mask!). We have many in stock rugs and samples available for you to take home on approval.
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Product featured above: Kota Natural by Dash & Albert
Not only are un-dyed wools beautiful, they also have fewer negative environmental impacts.
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"Dyeing and printing textiles can have a significant impact on the environment from discharge of dyes, pigments, and other chemicals into water systems. Components that contribute to problems include color, salt, acids, and heavy metals. Some materials create problems because of high biological oxygen demand, others have high chemical oxygen demand. High BOD and COD materials create environments that are hostile to aquatic plants and animals and may create problems with future use of the water. Color in water creates problems with photosynthesis of aquatic plant life." -Textilelearners.com
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In addition, any wool, whether dyed or un-dyed is also biodegradable, renewable, and has a longer life cycle than other fibers resulting in a smaller environmental footprint.
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Product featured above: Cobblestone by Dash & Albert
We love wool! Whether dyed or un-dyed, wool has many beneficial properties and is a super durable material. Wool is naturally:
NON ALLERGENIC: Wool is a non-allergenic fiber and does not promote the growth of bacteria and dust mites, or give off harmful emissions.
STAIN-RESISTANT: Wool cleans better and won’t soil quickly due to its natural soil resistance, making chemical stain protection treatments unnecessary.
AIR PURIFYING: Wool fibers absorb and neutralize polluting gases such as formaldehyde, sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxides.
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Photo by Matthias Zomer from Pexels
We think those sheep are pretty amazing, and awfully cute too!