Material guide – Wool felt

The processing of wool felt

Wool felt is a type of felt made from sheep's wool. It is a pressed felt and consists of a fibre that is difficult to separate, which forms a textile surface but which is not woven. The wool fibre is treated with moisture, warmth and friction until it forms a homogeneous textile structure. The raw wool is cleaned, combed and can be dyed before processing. Afterwards, the individual wool fibres are entwined together and felted through a mechanical process (so-called "felting"). The scales of the wool fibres intertwine during the felting process and stick together to ultimately form a stable textile. Wool felt can be manufactured in various degrees of hardness by using different processing methods. So there is wool felt that comes in very soft and flexible forms, as well as very hard and stiff varieties. In addition, this type of felt is a natural product and can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way. Wool felt has long been recognised as a classic material in the history of civilisation. The first finds that prove the use of felt date back to the Neolithic period from around 6,000 BC. These finds consist of the remains of pressed animal fur. Even older finds are difficult to come across, as the raw materials are very compostable and have therefore long since decomposed.

Wool felt - a long history

The first woollen felt hats were found in the autonomous, Mongolian region of Bayingolin in western China from around 1,800 BC. Other felt hats dating back to around 1,500 BC were discovered in Denmark and northern Germany in megalithic tombs. There are early indications of felt manufacture in northern and Central Europe, too. The felt findings from the Altai Mountains dating back to 5 BC already displayed an astonishing uniformity and were ornately decorated. Mentions in Greek and Roman literature, as well as findings of felting workshops in the excavations of Pompeii, indicate that felt manufacture was also popular and well-know among the people of the ancient world. However, the masters of felt production were the Tibetans and the Mongolians. These peoples used felt not just for clothing, but even for their tents. The intricacies of the methods and manufacturing processes have changed over the centuries, but the basic principle and raw materials have remained the same. Some even speculate that felted textiles are older than woven ones.

Practical properties

Textiles made from wool felt have many positive attributes. They insulate very well against the cold and heat, dampen vibrations and noise, absorb sound, store heat, have filtering properties and protect against dirt and mechanical damage. They also have a cushioning effect and are stretchy and resistant to pressure, which makes them impervious to creasing. In addition, wool felt is flame retardant, even after direct exposure to fire, and only chars above 320 °C.

A natural material that is bound to win you over

Wool felt can absorb a lot of moisture and store a multiple of its own weight inside itself and then release it again. Felt made from sheep's wool is an ecological and economical raw material as it is biodegradable and sheep can be domesticated almost anywhere in the world. It is natural, kind to the skin, soft and breathable, yet also very tear-resistant and robust. Felt can also be dyed well, cut and even made by hand, which is why many people make decorative clothing and home accessories or works of art from the felt they make as a hobby.

When textiles made from wool felt are only superficially soiled, brushing the felt with a brush or a damp cloth is usually sufficient. You can also vacuum felt. If felt is more heavily soiled, it is possible to wash it by hand. To do this, the felt should first be dampened then washed with an all-in-one detergent or a shampoo and then rinsed thoroughly. After washing, the felt can simply be stroked and pressed back into shape. Gentle iron steaming can facilitate this process.

Various uses

Felts have enjoyed significant growth in recent years and have conquered many new markets with their positive properties. Although many new, refined synthetic materials have been developed in recent years, they have not been able to oust felt. Felt has exceptional properties and is very versatile, which means the uses for it are almost limitless. Felt can be used for items of clothing and accessories such as hats, slippers, boots, jackets, jewellery or keychains, but also has many uses in the home and in industry and technology.

Other products made of felt

Felt is particularly used for things such as placemats, coasters, furniture gliders, decorative home accessories, seat cushions or rugs. Furthermore, it can also be used to insulate against odours, temperature, sound, mechanical damage or vibration, and has various uses in industrial processes and factories in many fields, such as the car and aircraft industries. Felt is also used in musical instruments, such as on a piano's hammers. Felt textiles can be found in almost all industries and are almost indispensable in everyday modern life.