Texel Wool: Wool that helps you toss less.

We hear the gravel crunching under our tires as we park at a farm in the Netherlands. It’s still early in the morning, and our breath makes clouds in the air. Curious and excited, we look forward to a day filled with natural beauty, where we can witness the shearing ritual at daybreak. 

We greet the farmer and the shearer, making warm introductions, chatting about this and that, and following in their footsteps towards our woolly friends. What follows is a beautiful day in a wonderful setting. Our genuine curiosity leads to a series of questions that our hosts gladly answer.

Does a sheep really need to be sheared?

We start our day with a critical first question: "Does a sheep actually need to be sheared?" Well, naturally, it does not. Sheep used to shed their fleece naturally through molting. However, with domestication, natural molting has decreased. Nowadays, sheep must be sheared; not shearing the wool can lead to unpleasant health and mobility issues.

Shearing Sheep's Wool

Shearing a sheep is a matter of timing. If you shear too early in the year, the sheep will be too cold later. If you shear too late, there’s a risk that the poor animal becomes overheated or burned. The ideal time is when the temperature rises above 15 degrees Celsius. Therefore, 80% of sheep are sheared in the autumn; they then winter in warm barns.

With the Texel breed, it’s the opposite; these sheep are sheared around May-June, in the early morning, also known as the sheep shearers' chill. It’s a refreshing moment for both human and animal.

The shorn Texel sheep do not stay in the barn, but rather outside, with access to good shelter. Sheep are naturally accustomed to grazing and sleeping in open areas. They do not require indoor housing as long as they have access to shelters or cover during extreme weather. Sleeping outside also provides better ventilation and fresh air, which is important for the health of sheep.

Good wool is like good wine: terroir matters.

Not all wool is the same; quite the contrary. Different breeds of sheep have adapted to their climate and environment in different ways, resulting in unique properties of their wool. The icy northern wind in Texel, along with a moist climate, has shaped the fleece in such a way that it can absorb large amounts of moisture and regulate temperature optimally. The intelligence of nature at its best.

This gives the fleece a high micron count, a term that refers to the thickness of the wool fibers and is measured in microns (one thousandth of a millimeter).

Wool with a high micron count has several advantages for sleep applications:
• Strong and durable
• Good thermal properties
• Strong moisture-regulating

Typical is also ‘the curl.’ This natural twist in the wool fibres provides extra resilience and elasticity.

It’s worth noting that not all Texel wool comes from the island of the same name. The sheep breed gained its name and fame there but can also be found in other areas with similar climatic conditions, such as North Holland, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.

Selection

A sheep typically produces about three kilograms of wool. After shearing, the high-quality wool is separated from the lesser quality. The selected wool is carefully washed and cleaned to remove dirt, dust, and lanolin (a protective layer on the wool).

Ultimately, about 60% of usable quality wool remains, which we process with respect and craftsmanship into our sleep solutions.

From wonder to admiration

We began our day with the goal of getting even closer to one of the raw materials we work with so much and so eagerly. We also wanted to ensure that everything is done according to the rules of the art, with respect for both people and animals. At Greensleep, we closely monitor our entire value chain for quality and integrity.

We end the day with a sense of respect and humility. It is inspiring to see the care and craftsmanship involved in the work. Our belief in the use of natural raw materials is once again reinforced.

Nature has taken ample time to create a fantastic product. This awareness drives us every day to embrace the power of nature and translate it into our products. We find the best solutions in what nature has offered us for centuries.