All of our products are made to order in our factory in Richmond in the Karoo. Each duvet we make must be measured, cut, stitched, stuffed, quilted and packaged before being collected by our couriers to deliver to you. This process, depending on the size of the duvet takes the team members many hours.

One of the drawbacks of having a business in a tiny town in the Karoo is that our courier only services our town on a Monday and Wednesday. This has been factored into our delivery lead time however there are so many factors that are out of our control.  

Duvets, mattress toppers and bed linen: production lead time is 4-6 weeks.

Pillows: we normally have in stock and ship on the next available day when the courier visits.

Feathers, down and polyester plastic are great insulators. They trap the heat your body generates, and keep the heat under the duvet. This is fantastic for the process of falling asleep, but your body needs to drop its temperature during the various sleep cycles, and these fills do not allow for that. 

Our natural fibres on the other hand are both an insulator and a temperature regulator. It will regulate the temperature under the duvet the same way it does on the animal. When it’s hot, the fibre passes the heat mainly in the form of moisture from the animal’s body out and when it’s cold it keeps the heat in.

All natural fibre products can do this but the more you process the fleece, i.e. spin and weave it, then the less the fleece can regulate heat. This is why we keep the fibres in much the same state as it is on the animal, having only scoured (washed) and carbonised (removed most traces of vegetable matter) and carded it before filling our duvets. But the amazing thing about these fibres is that it will actually regulate the temperatures of two different people in the same bed. This is wonderful for people going through menopause and experiencing severe hot flushes and of course for people that get cold at night. 

Our wool-filled products are made with authentic, fully traceable 100% South African wool from farms in the Namaqualand. The fleeces are washed and processed in a Mill in Paarl, and carded and sewn in our factory in Richmond, Karoo. No harsh chemicals are used, so the wool fibers are not artificially changed and retain their natural temperature regulating properties. 

At Karoo Creations, we passionately believe in helping people enjoy the benefits of life changing sleep, naturally. Sleep is such an important factor and is a vital component for health and wellbeing. We spend a third of our lives sleeping, and that’s why we work hard to produce products which are crafted from natural and sustainable materials, proven to be better for you and the planet. 

Every day we hear from customers who have experienced profound improvements in their wellbeing after making the switch to our natural fibre products. From fewer sleep disruptions, less allergies, to increased energy levels and improved mood, our customer share stories of how Karoo Creations has helped them achieve a higher quality of life through the power of natural sleep products.

Wool’s stand-out natural attribute as a bedding fiber is its exceptional ability to regulate and maintain temperature, a trait unmatched by alternative materials such as feather, down and polyester. 

When a natural fibre product is disposed of, (besides the thread) it will decompose in 5-10 years.

At the end of its useful life, these natural fibres can be returned to the soil, where they decompose, releasing valuable nutrients into the ground. When a natural wool fibre is disposed of in soil, it takes a very short time to break down, whereas most synthetics are extremely slow to degrade, and it can take many decades (if at all). As wool decomposes in the soil, it releases valuable nutrients such as nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon back into the earth. This process helps enrich the soil, promoting plant growth and overall ecosystem health.

All our natural fibre fillings are renewable. As long as there is grass to graze on, clean air and water, every year Sheep/Alpacas and Angora Goats will produce a new fleece, making these fleeces a truly renewable and sustainable fibre source. These dedicated farmers actively work to safeguard the environment and improve efficiency, endeavoring to make the entire industry sustainable for future generations.

It is, of course, also completely natural, no fossil fuels are used to produce these natural fibres. Natural fibres are a protein formed in the skin of the animal, and is thus one hundred percent natural, not man-made. Since the Stone Age, these fibres have been appreciated as one of the most effective forms of all-weather protection known to man, and science is yet to produce a fibre which matches its unique properties.

“It is abundantly clear to me that we need to make changes to the way we think about the production, use and the disposal of clothing and textiles if we are going to get anywhere near to meeting the United Nations climate change goals set for the industry. A major part of that change has to be moving from a linear system to a circular one, where textiles and clothing are produced sustainably, enjoy long use, and are made using natural materials, specifically wool, which will biodegrade naturally and quickly at the end of their useful life”. His Majesty, King Charles III, Patron for Campaign for Wool.

From www.thecampaignforwool.org

Wool is an overlooked planet-friendly fibre, and the release of a new informative film by the Campaign for Wool aims to highlight wool’s natural eco properties, including its biodegradability, along with circular economy, regenerative farming and feed management in relation to reducing carbon and methane gas emissions.

Everyone is made aware, and reminded daily, of the unbalance we are facing of the planet with the infusion and infiltration of plastics and micro-fibres since the introduction of plastic and Nylon in 1907 and 1935 respectively.

Since this time, it has become self-evident that material introduced with the intention to help the planet and its natural resources has, in fact, upset the balance of nature. The result is a mass of plastic and micro-fibre non-biodegradable pollution sat in the oceans and landfill for hundreds, if not thousands, of years to come. Wool biodegrades naturally back into the land adding valuable nutrients and devoid of micro-fibre evidence in oceans and waterways.

Choosing wool clothing and interior products like duvets and pillows over man-made fibres assists the biodiversity of the land on which life exists, and as an investment wool lasts longer and is healthier for the skin and the home/office environment. Even small and minor gestures can collectively make a significant difference in assisting the planet in the rebalancing of nature, if everyone were to choose wool.

This question should be one of personal ethics and how you view the unseen treatment of animals.

Down is wonderfully light and airy and has excellent warming qualities. Its massive drawback is that it just gets warmer and warmer – it doesn’t have the natural heat regulating properties that wool has.

Down and feather also attract dust and dirt (have a look at your feather duster!) and, despite what the down duvet manufacturers say, down actually attracts dust mites that feed off of the small mould growths caused by the moisture trapped in the dark, wet and warm duvet from the heat and moisture produced by your body when you sleep.

Our natural fibres are naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial and are dust mite resistant.

Real down is the very finest, smallest feathers next to a birds’ skin. Most so called ‘down’ duvets are, in fact, made up of very small amounts of down supplemented with feathers, often just chicken feathers. Feathers don’t give an even coverage because they tend to gather in clumps and migrate to the bottom of the duvet, leaving cold spots and you are forever having to shake it to spread them out again.

Also many people are allergic to feathers. Feather/down and polyester make you sweat because it insulates the body at night. The sweat is retained in the duvet and mould spores thrive on it. You will see many older down duvets turning yellow. That is not from age… just accumulated sweat!

Our natural fibres on the other hand are naturally hypoallergenic and the most breathable fibre on the planet and it doesn’t attract dirt.

Practically all feather and down come from factory farmed birds, and the feathers and down are imported from China where there is little no regulation on the treatment of animals.  There are still Chinese farms who carry out the abominable practice of “live plucking”. For your own sanity, please DO NOT Google this.

Some duvet manufacturers generally won’t admit that the feathers and down are a by-product of the duck and goose meat industry in China. Our natural fibres are renewable and sustainable because Merino sheep, Alpacas and Angora goats are shorn every year without having to die for their fleeces to be shorn to fill duvets. 

Duvets filled with wool or Alpaca-fleece/Mohair are wonderfully comfortable and provide many healthy-sleep benefits you won’t find in a polyester or feather/down duvet. Although these natural duvets share similar qualities, each one is unique in how it feels and performs.

Which natural duvet is right for you? It’s a personal choice based on a number of factors. To start, determine how warm of a duvet you need. It’s important to consider:

• Your bedroom temperature
• How hot or cold you feel during sleep
• Seasonal temperature
• Amount of clothing you wear to bed

Next, think about comfort-feel. Do you sleep best with a weighty duvet or one that’s light and fluffy? Is a soft, drapey duvet your favorite or do you like to snuggle into a poufy one that scrunches easily? Here’s a quick comparison:

• Alpaca-fleece/Mohair: lighter weight than wool with soft, airy loft of medium poof and cozy drape.
• Wool: medium weight, a bit heavier than Alpaca-fleece/Mohair, with a slightly dense loft that has a cozy blanket feel.

You’ll also need to factor in the duvet’s thermal warmth. Our wool, Alpaca-fleece/Mohair duvets all have the ability to thermal regulate — retain and release body heat and moisture while you sleep — but each fiber does it a little differently. How much thermal warmth a natural duvet provides depends mostly on:

• The amount of fill used in the duvet
• How efficient the fiber is at generating dry, comfortable warmth through the night
• Below is a general comparison of thermal warmth between wool and Alpaca-fleece:

Wool Thermal Warmth

Wool has an extraordinary ability to rapidly absorb and evaporate body moisture and excess heat. It stores and releases warmth continuously and evenly through the night, without making you feel too hot or cold and clammy.

Fill-weight, the amount of fiber used in a wool duvet, is a guideline for determining the level of thermal warmth. For example:

If you reside in the warmer and/or humid parts of the country or if you’re a warm sleeper and/or prefer a light to medium cover consider our Lightweight wool duvet. 

By comparison, if you tend to sleep cold, prefer a weightier cover or want extra warmth during cold, winter weather, the All-Year combo or the Winterweight 100% wool duvet is a good choice.  You’ll find the fill-weights are heavier than the summer-weight duvets.

Alpaca-fleece/Mohair Thermal Warmth

Like wool, an Alpaca-fleece/Mohair filled duvet does a wonderful job at regulating body heat and wicking away excess moisture. Alpaca-fleece/Mohair is silkier and lighter than wool therefore these duvets feel much lighter than an equivalent wool duvet, yet it’s considered warmer (by up to 50%).

The standard Alpaca-fleece duvet is suited for temperate parts of the country as it’s considered warmer than wool. These duvets are hypoallergenic as well as antimicrobial.  

We strongly advise against dry-cleaning your duvet or mattress topper. The chemicals that they use cause permanent damage to your beautiful product. It’s also not advised to wash it in your domestic washing machine, the spinning cycle will cause the fibres to shrink and harden.

Our best advice is to spot clean it with a very gentle soap.  A very low concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide works well for spot cleaning.

Use a vacuum on your duvet insert or mattress topper to pull air through the fibers, to reduce any moisture accumulating inside. Occasionally unmake your bed in the morning to allow it to air out the moisture from the night.

To wash a soiled area, pour cool water into the bath or a bucket, with very mild dishwashing liquid already dissolved in the water.  You can also use Woollite or “Boereseep”, if on hand, as long as the product you use is very gentle. Do not use any fabric softening liquids. Submerge just the affected area into the water and leave it to soak for about an hour. You can move the affected area up and down in the water with a potato masher (!), but do not rub, agitate or wring the duvet.  After the washing soak, change the water to rinse the spot. Make sure the temperature of the water is the same as what you used to wash it.  Any massive change in the water temperature will also cause the wool to felt.  When you empty the rinse water, use the potato masher or a “squeegee” to squeeze out as much water as possible and then air dry the duvet out of direct sunlight (preferably on a flat surface) until it is completely dry before using it again.

An airing outside out of direct sunlight once every 2-3 months will keep your product fresh. Although UV is very beneficial for wool, limit exposure to the sun to 30 minutes.

Your duvet must be inserted into a duvet cover. Please use a pillow protector and pillowcase with the pillows. 

Our pillows are customizable and are manufactured in one weight and have a zip with an inner sleeve. You can remove the inner sleeve and wash the outer casing when you wish, and the wool can be left outside out of direct sunlight for a few hours to be refreshed. DO NOT wash the wool. To get your optimum comfort, you can remove as much wool as you’d like and store it (in a pillowcase). We always recommend that you use pillow protectors.

Avoid leaving your duvet or pillows on your bed in direct sunlight (as it can make the wool shrink), dampness and extremely hot or cold conditions.

WHEN NOT BEING USED, ALWAYS STORE YOUR DUVET/MATTRESS TOPPER OR PILLOW IN A BREATHABLE COTTON BAG, NEVER IN PLASTIC. DO NOT VACUUM PACK BEFORE STORING.

Scroll down for more info on getting rid of fish moths.

TIPS FOR A HUMID CLIMATE

Use a dehumidifier. Air wool-filled items more frequently. Use a vacuum on your duvet insert or mattress topper to pull air through the fibers, to reduce any moisture accumulating inside. Occasionally unmake your bed in the morning to allow it to air out the moisture from the night. Wool is incredibly resistant to mold and mildew, but you can keep an eye on the slats of your bed frame or your bed base for early signs of mildew/mold.

Hand wash is preferable. However, you can wash these in a domestic washing machine.

Wash on the wool cycle in your washing machine, on a cold wash. Use a made-for-purpose wool detergent. Do not use softeners. Spin at lower than 800 RPM. Line dry. Do not tumble dry. Do not iron. Do not dry clean. 

Otherwise an airing outside once every 2-3 months will keep your duvet fresh (limit direct sunshine exposure to 30 minutes). Also, leave your bed unmake periodically and vacuum your duvet on your mattress. 

Storing Duvets 101: Essential Steps for Safely Storing your natural fibre products in your Storage Space

It’s about taking good care of the items that make your house a home. The warm embrace of a wool or Alpaca-fleece duvet on a chilly winter night is one of those simple pleasures that contribute significantly to the comfort of your sanctuary. Yet, with the arrival of hot summer months, the question becomes: how to store it properly?

Whether you’re preparing to pack away your duvet or mattress topper or need a refresher on optimal bedding storage, these guidelines will help you master duvet care, keep your duvet in optimal condition, and extend their lifespan. 

The process of storing a natural fibre duvet starts with this step-by-step list you can easily follow:

1. Vacuum Your Duvet or Mattress Topper: Begin by vacuuming your products on your mattress.
2. Dry It Thoroughly: Make sure your product is completely dry before storing it.
3. Prepare a Storage Space: Choose a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight for storage. A linen closet or under-bed storage with good ventilation would be ideal. Avoid damp areas like basements or attics, as they can promote mildew and mould growth.
4. Avoid Vacuum Bags: Don’t store your product in a vacuum-seal bag as the compressed storage can damage the natural filling and reduce the insulating properties of your duvet.
5. Use a Cotton Storage Bag: Opt for a breathable cotton storage bag to store your duvet or topper. Avoid using plastic bags, which can trap moisture and cause mildew.
6. Fold Gently: Fold your comforter carefully to fit into your storage bag. Avoid compressing it too tightly to maintain the fluffiness of the filling.
7. Add a Lavender Sachet: To keep your products smelling fresh, consider adding a lavender rice sachet to your storage bag. It can also deter moths. You can also choose your favourite essential oil and place a few drops on a piece of wood. A block or 2 of Cedar wood is also effective. Check this wood periodically and adjust accordingly if the smell has faded.
8. Don’t Stack Heavy Items on Top: Once your product is in storage, avoid placing heavy items on top of it. This can compress the duvet or topper and damage the filling.
9. Rotate Periodically: Every few months, take your duvet out of storage, fluff it up, and refold it before storing again. This helps maintain the loft of the wool and keeps it from becoming compressed.
10. Inspect Regularly: Regularly check on your duvet for any signs of moisture or pests. This is also a good opportunity to ensure your essential oils are still ok, if not, add a few more drops. If you find any issues, address them immediately to avoid long-term damage to your duvet or topper.

The ideal place for storing duvets is in a well-ventilated linen closet. This kind of storage maintains airflow, reducing the risk of unpleasant, musty smells and prevents the growth of mould and mildew. 

If you lack such space, the second-best option is storing the duvet under your bed, protected by a breathable cotton storage bag. Remember, the principle of breathability, which is vital in interior design, applies here as well. It ensures the longevity of your duvet, much like it ensures the longevity of your other interior design elements.

In our experience, we’ve had clients who would toss their wool duvet into a vacuum-seal bag and stuff it into a crammed space. But what they didn’t know is that compressing a wool duvet can damage the delicate natural fibre filling, rendering it lumpy and less efficient in keeping them warm. 

For these prized handmade products, consider storing them in an acid-free box with acid-free tissue paper. This approach is much like preserving an artwork – protecting the fabric and preventing permanent creases. Think of your natural fibre duvet as an investment – an integral piece of your home decor that contributes significantly to your comfort and the overall aesthetics of your bedroom. 

And like any other investment, it deserves your care and attention. Follow these instructions and you’ll extend the life of your natural fibre duvet, saving it for those nights when you need a touch of warmth and comfort.

We supply a premium product that is handmade with passion and love, using top quality materials. Our customers are those who appreciate craftsmanship, sustainability and the exclusivity of a product not yet available in stores.

Dust mite and mildew resistant, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial and fire resistant. Offering no off-gassing and zero VOCs. Hypoallergenic and suitable for people with chemical sensitivities. 100% biodegradable using only sustainable and renewable materials. 

Combining centuries-old artisanal traditions with unparalleled craftsmanship, to give you extraordinary comfort and a healthy environment at home.
One of a kind, bespoke, and handcrafted personally for you using nature’s finest fibers.

Much like a Steinway is to a piano player, or a Lacanche stove is to a cook, our duvets are high-end products that are understated yet totally luxurious. A Karoo Creations product is an investment, with a very long lifespan that cannot be compared to a plastic duvet purchased at other leading retailers.

Each duvet takes up to many hours to manufacture, with every process being carried out by hand – from cutting the percale covers, hand carding the fibres, quilting and binding the finished product. Our products are truly bespoke, being made to order. 

Absolutely not.  Despite what some radical animal rights groups like PETA broadcast, Merino sheep, Angora Goats and Alpacas need a haircut once a year. We don’t have any “factory farms” here in the Karoo either. If these animals aren’t shorn, they run the risk of overheating and dying or having maggot infestations under the fleeces.  What PETA also don’t tell people is that farmers will be paid much less for fleeces with any blood on them, and thus the shearers pockets will also be affected for accidentally cutting an animal. These sheep are the farmers’ lifeblood, and they are treated really well.

Please have a look at our Ethics page for further details. 

Tog ratings are not really applicable on our duvets as the tog rating system measures how well a duvet insulates (it was originally done for synthetic products) but as our natural fibres don’t just trap heat – they also lets it pass through when your body gets too hot – we cannot really apply the tog system and they’re great for all seasons. Our natural fibre duvets also have much better thermal properties than ones filled with synthetic materials, or feather/down duvets, and therefore need less filling to achieve the same level of warmth, so the weight of a wool/Mohair or Alpaca-fleece duvet can be deceiving when compared to other products. Rather than a tog rating, our wool duvets are categorised into light, medium and winter weight options.

The TOG rating that is bandied about is a complicated measurement that only a scientist could understand taking into account atmospheric pressure, time, heat co-efficient and many other confusing factors for duvets that do not temperature regulate, but rather trap heat like a Dutch oven. 

We measure our duvets’ warmth by GSM (grams per square metre).  A lovely warm duvet for winter would have a 400-450 GSM, meaning that each square metre would have just under half a kilo of soft fluffy wool.  A summer duvet would be between 100-160 GSM.  

Here’s a handy list for each weight of duvet:

Lightweight: +-160GSM

Mediumweight: +-300GSM

Winterweight: +-400GSM

Mattress topper: +-600GSM

Karoo Creations is a small but fully registered company (Luxury Duvets (Pty) Ltd,  in the little Karoo town of Richmond in the Northern Cape. 

Unlike scam companies/individuals, all of our contact details such as our physical address, telephone numbers, social media accounts, etc. are freely available on our website, and you can verify the existence of us by doing a Google search and reading our reviews and social media pages.

And we would also love to welcome you for a cup of coffee if you are ever driving through our town, and we can show you how our products are produced!

If you have a retail store, an Air BnB, B&B, guesthouse, hotel or any other hospitality establishment, please make contact with us directly. 

We do supply to these industries and can discuss the options with you. 

The Menopause is a transformative phase in a woman’s life, often bringing challenging symptoms such as night sweats and hot flushes. These symptoms can lead to restless nights and increased discomfort, significantly impacting the sleep quality and overall well-being of peri-menopausal and menopausal women. 

The unique properties of wool, such as its breathability and moisture-transporting capabilities, make it an ideal choice for menopausal women seeking relief from nighttime overheating. By incorporating wool bedding into their sleep routine, women can create a cool and refreshing sleep sanctuary that promotes restful sleep, helping to relive menopausal symptoms. 

Accordion Content

Yes, you can most definitely, even if you have one of our wool mattress toppers. Direct sunlight onto your bed during the day can cause shrinkage and felting of the wool, however it’s perfectly fine to use an electric blanket. 

The biggest advantage with our pillows is that they are filled with 100% pure wool. In our opinion, wool is much better than using something like microfiber or memory foam that has harmful chemicals and isn’t recyclable.

It’s a given that synthetic pillows are less sustainable than both wool and down, but what is better between these two natural options? Though there are mixed opinions on this, generally wool is considered more sustainable between the two. Wool shearing is a natural part of the animal husbandry process for sheep while removing feathers from ducks and geese isn’t something the animals need. In fact, the majority of down feathers available are plucked off dead birds. Often the down in South African products is sourced from ducks or geese in China and stored in less than ideal conditions. At Karoo Creations, we source our wool from local Namaqualand farmers and thus it maintains an element of locality. 

Wool is also a highly durable material, meaning that wool pillows can last for many years with proper care. This is in contrast to down pillows, which may need to be replaced more frequently due to wear and tear. Another issue with down is pillows that “leak”. While more of an issue with comforters and jackets, it is possible that your pillow may actually loose down over time and thus need to be replaced more frequently. 

Another interesting aspect of wool is that it’s naturally flame resistant because of the protein structures in the fibres. The consequence / benefit of this is that it doesn’t need to be treated with artificial chemicals in order to mean fire safety regulations. 

Wool, unlike down, is naturally hypoallergenic. The reason wool is more resistant to collecting allergens is because of the structure of the fibres at the microscopic level as well as lanolin oil which coats the sheep fibres. This oil repels allergens and is actually sold as its own product for people with dry skin or eczema symptoms. 

Further, wool is more resistant to mould and dust mites, another common allergy cause. The reason wool is better able to resist the cumulation of mould is because of its natural ability to wick away moisture. This is also one of the reasons why you see athletic and outdoor clothing being made from wool. Mould thrives in warm and moist environments so for people who live in humid environments it’s especially important to choose a pillow that is mould resistant. 

Firmness, or lack thereof, is one of the most important considerations when choosing a pillow. The two important considerations regarding the feel of a pillow are cushion level and firmness. 

Wool pillows tend to be firmer than down and microfibre and provide excellent support for people who prefer sleeping on a firmer surface. Also, those who sleep on their back may prefer a firmer pillow that helps keep the spine aligned.

Our pillows are totally customizable and are manufactured in one weight. They have a zipper with an inner sleeve containing the wool. You can remove the inner sleeve and wash the outer casing when you wish, and the wool can be left outside (out of direct sunlight) for a few hours to be refreshed. To get your most comfortable sleeping position, you can remove as much wool as you’d like and store it (in a pillowcase) for when the wool flattens. You can also re-fluff the wool by hand to regain its loft and fluffiness. 

Yes we do, at our factory in Richmond. if you’re passing through, you’re most welcome to come see our samples and the factory floor.

Yes, in most circumstances that is possible, and please note these can take a bit more time. You are also able to supply your own fabric. Contact us directly on email or WhatsApp.

We know this does happen; however, we ask that you consider your options and ask for advice in making your purchase as returns have a negative impact on our business and our ability to offer locally made products affordably.

If you are certain and due to the personal nature of our product, we only accept UNUSED returns.

Getting rid of fish moths or silverfish naturally is easy. Use a few drops of your favorite essential oil directly in the area where you’re having a problem with them (add directly to a piece of wood). You can also add 10 -12 drops to your warm water for cleaning too. Try cinnamon, peppermint, orange, lavender or tea tree essential oils.

A few aromatic blocks of Cedar Wood also work well. The fragrant wood eventually loses its scent over time. When the aroma fades, the wood will need to be sanded and buffed to bring the scent back.