Natural vs Manmade Fibres: Mattresses

What do you want from your mattress?

Comfort, cushioning, and support spring to mind (pun unintended!).

But have you thought about a mattress with natural or manmade fibres?

Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to both. At Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co., we pride ourselves on providing a wide range of natural fibre mattresses which leave you refreshed and revitalised the next morning. Our British wool mattresses are for the long term- guaranteed to last between 10 to 30 years. 

Ultimately, it comes down to sustained support, a stress-free relaxing environment, and the search for a soothing night’s sleep. But if you want to consider breathability, authenticity, and sustainability, this blog will make sure your decision is well-informed.

Natural Fibres

Natural fibres are derived from plants, animals, and minerals.

The raw materials are gathered, for example when harvesting cotton crops or shearing sheep’s fleece, before being spun into thread or yarn. Finally, they’re woven or knitted into fabrics to be used for industries such as interiors and fashion. 

These fibres are naturally occurring and come from renewable sources. Animal-based fibres are often by-products: silk is a protein formed by larvae and wool is sheared for the welfare of the animal. In comparison, plant-based fibres are obtained from seeds, stems, leaves, and husks.

Examples of Natural Fibres:

Animal-Based:

• Wool (such as cashmere and mohair)
• Silk 
• Angora
• Alpaca

Plant-Based:

• Cotton
• Flax (used to create linen)
• Hemp
• Jute
• Ramie (a silk-like plant-based alternative)

Natural Fibres: Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

Breathability: When layered as in a mattress, natural fibres create air pockets. This helps to wick away moisture, their absorbency removing perspiration or water from the atmosphere during humid nights to leave you refreshed. 

Trans-seasonal: Natural fibres’, notably wool’s, breathability allows for thermoregulation. This process keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer months. Perfect for consumers no matter your body temperature, meaning natural fibres are also suitable during the menopause. 

Hypoallergenic: If you’re allergic to fibres or feathers such as eiderdown, natural fibres like wool and cotton are ideal to combat sensitivity. Inherently hypoallergenic, they can lower the amount of dust and bacteria. 

Renewable: Natural fibres originate from renewable sources such as fleece or plant crops. This means they’re biodegradable and use less chemicals during production, even more so when farmed organically. Organic farming considers fibres’ environmental and social sustainability for both the planet and people affected by their production.

Durability: Originating from proteins in animal hair and plant cellulose, natural fibres are typically strong and supportive on their own, as well as fire-resistant and long-lasting.

Disadvantages

More Expensive: Natural fibres are often more expensive. Although their sources are renewable, they may not be readily available year-round. Organic farming protects the welfare and wellbeing of plants and animals by investing more time, effort, and capital, which needs to be reflected in the price to create a sustainable cycle.

Water Usage: The water usage of some plant-based fibres, notably cotton, is extremely high (but polyester is another culprit). One kilo of cotton can use up to 10,000 litres of water. However, organic cotton uses significantly less water (243 litres for a t-shirt compared to 2,700 according to WWF) because it does not use pesticides, which would usually be diluted with H2O. 

Wrinkling: Due to the lack of chemicals, natural fibres are more prone to wrinkling and shrinking (this is mainly applicable to the fashion industry). 

Fibre Irregularity: Sometimes the length of fibres can vary depending on its source (for example different breeds of sheep). Our mattresses incorporate wool which is less likely to be sold at auction and prevent it from being burned- a loss for the farmer and damaging to the atmosphere otherwise.

Manmade Fibres

Manmade fibres, otherwise known as synthetics, are produced from chemical processes.

They originate from petrochemicals (compounds extracted from petrol and other fossil fuels), such as crude oil. The first step is polymerisation, in which polymer molecules, the basis for plastics, are created. Using heat, the fibres obtained from these polymers are either melted or set, bringing the fibres closer together and refining them further through a nozzle. Each fine thread is dried before being woven into fabric. 

Synthetic fibres are applied daily worldwide for an expansive range of uses- most obviously in the fashion industry. However, some manmade fibres are only semi-synthetic. Semi-synthetics, such as rayon (from wood pulp), are produced because a plant’s cellulose contains naturally occurring polymers and are subjected to similar chemical extraction to become thread.

Examples of Manmade Fibres:

Synthetic Polymer-Based:

• Polyester (arguably the most common)
• Nylon
• Acrylic
• Elastane
• Polyamide
• Polyurethane (used for memory foam)

Natural Polymer-Based:

• Rayon (used to create viscose)
• Lyocell
• Bamboo
• Rubber

Manmade Fibres: Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

Cheaper: During a cost-of-living crisis, the amount customers can spend on a mattress can differ significantly. Synthetic fibres are mass-produced, allowing the price to be lower for investment items. 

Versatility: Thanks to their polymer molecules, synthetic fibres are versatile and durable. Their body-contouring properties are suitable as the basis for both high-performance sportswear and memory foam mattresses to mould to your body shape. 

Easy Care: Synthetic fibres often require less maintenance. They are quick drying, less prone to shrinkage, and need less ironing (although their flammability can result in iron burns). 

Water-Resistant: Plastic-based fibres, particularly polyester and vinyl, are water-resistant, making them ideal for waterproof garments when treated with chemicals.

Disadvantages

Polluting: Manmade fibres release plastic microfibres into our waterways when they’re washed. This plastic pollution has caused microfibres to be found in seas worldwide, poses a danger to fish and marine life, and even leads to microplastics in our food. 

Chemicals: Chemicals are used throughout the process to produce manmade fibres. Aside from being released into our ecosystems, consumers and workers can react badly to these chemicals, such as allergies or skin irritation like rashes and itchiness. 

Impermeable: Although beneficial for water-resistance, synthetics’ impermeability increases perspiration. Unlike the air pockets that release moisture in natural fibres, moisture is absorbed by manmade fibres, trapping sweat, bacteria, and body odours. 

Pilling: Due to their lower quality, synthetics wear quickly and manmade fibre mattresses can lose their support sooner than natural fibres. This means they’re prone to pilling- when fibres become loose and create a bobbly, fuzzy appearance due to friction.

Environmental Impact: Manmade fibres are sourced from non-renewable sources, increasing the number of harmful emissions released into the atmosphere. Being polymer-based, they are non-biodegradable and a synthetic mattress is not an uncommon site in landfill. It’s currently unknown how long a mattress takes to break down, perhaps because we haven’t seen it happen yet.

Our Mattresses

We believe that a blend of high-quality natural raw materials and expert craftsmanship creates quality, comfortable mattresses for your restful sleep experience.

All our mattresses are authentically British-made and meet the Global Organic Textile Standard certification. We employ time-honoured techniques, hand-stitching, hand-teasing, and hand-tufting to provide support and stability no matter your needs.

Plant-Based Collection

Our plant-based mattresses are certified vegan by the Vegan Society. Each mattress is 100% animal-product free, maintaining animal welfare during production so that no animal by-products or chemical testing happens. 

The collection incorporates organic cotton, flax, and hemp with sustainably sourced bamboo. Layered above and below a supportive spring structure, our Plant-Based Collection is guaranteed to last 10 years. 

Choose from 3 styles- the 1200, 1500 and 3000.

Natural Comfort Collection

The Natural Comfort Collection contains 100% British wool and is validated and sourced via British Wool®. 

In collaboration with a fellow Made in Britain member based in Yorkshire, the Natural Comfort Collection pairs British wool with sustainable organic natural fibres. Each mattress layers wool with organic cotton encased in cotton ticking, with further layers of sustainable horsehair and cashmere incorporated for firmer styles. 

The honeycomb formation of pocket springs adapts to your body shape for full support. Explore 5 levels of firmness- the 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000 and 3000.

Sandringham Collection

After 20 years in the bed-making industry, our Sandringham Collection epitomises the quality of our craftsmanship and natural fibres. 

The Sandringham mattresses contain 100% British wool exclusively from the Sandringham Estate’s Aberfield flock. With layers of organic cotton, flax, hemp, and cashmere, our hyper-locally sourced wool prioritises the sheep’s welfare and is traceable back to the bale. Luxuriously plump, the pocket spring structure establishes a feeling of weightlessness by supporting your body’s pressure points. 

Both the Sandringham 10 and Sandringham 20 come with a 30-year guarantee giving you the assurance of long-lasting quality and restfulness.

As a carbon neutral company, environmental awareness is at the core of our ethos. While some consumers prioritise the accessibility and low maintenance of manmade fibre mattresses, Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co. believes in the benefits of natural fibres, particularly wool. Investing in a natural fibre mattress can improve the wellbeing of both your mental and physical health and that of the planet. 

Knowing you’re supporting social and environmental sustainability will make your already stress-free sleep that bit more comforting.