---
title: "Natural Fillings — Wool, Cotton and Horsehair"
description: "Plain guide to wool, cotton and horsehair mattress fillings in traditional UK pocket sprung and open-coil beds."
url: "https://bedguide.co.uk/mattresses/natural-fillings-wool-cotton-horsehair/"
category: "mattresses"
primary_entity: "natural mattress fillings"
date_published: 2026-08-03
date_modified: 2026-08-03
---

# Natural Fillings — Wool, Cotton and Horsehair

> Traditional UK mattresses often use natural fillings above the springs. Wool adds bouncy loft and helps with moisture. Cotton makes soft quilt layers. Horsehair gives a springy, open fill in higher-spec beds. Fillings shape how the surface feels and how air moves. The spring or foam core still does the main support job. Natural does not automatically mean hypoallergenic.

## Key facts

- Materials: wool, cotton, horsehair, coir or other vegetable fibres (related traditional fills)
- Typical lifespan: 8–12 years

## What each filling does

| Filling | Traits |
| --- | --- |
| Wool | Bouncy loft, resilience, moisture buffering |
| Cotton | Soft quilt layers; can compact over years |
| Horsehair | Springy open fill in traditional stacks |
| Coir / vegetable fibres | Firmer, more rustic support pads in some builds |

## Where fillings sit in the stack

Natural fillings are usually **comfort and insulation layers** above
[pocket](/mattresses/pocket-sprung) or [open coil](/mattresses/open-coil-bonnell)
units. [Tufting](/glossary/tufting) helps stop fillings moving around. Modern
hybrids may combine thin natural quilts with foam comfort layers.

## Related BedGuide entries

- [Pillow-top and surface types](/mattresses/pillow-top-and-surface-types)
- [UK fire labelling](/care/uk-mattress-fire-regulations)
- [Hypoallergenic materials](/health/hypoallergenic-materials)

## Frequently asked questions

### What does wool do in a mattress?

Wool provides bouncy, resilient cushioning. It can handle moisture better than many synthetics. It sits as a comfort filling above the support unit, not instead of springs or foam cores.

### Is horsehair still used in mattresses?

Yes in some traditional and higher-specification UK upholstery. Horsehair is springy and open when properly prepared. It is a filling choice, not a medical claim.

---

Source: https://bedguide.co.uk/mattresses/natural-fillings-wool-cotton-horsehair/ · BedGuide — educational encyclopedia, no affiliate commission. Facts checked against official sources where possible; see https://bedguide.co.uk/editorial-policy. Report an error: https://bedguide.co.uk/corrections.