Good to know
Questions, answered.
Clear information about our wool, how products are used and how to buy from Sheep Unique.
Our wool and farm
About Sheep Unique
What are Sheep Unique products made from?
Natural sheep wool is the starting point for every Sheep Unique product. We choose each fleece for the job it can do best, from garden products and craft fibre to felted homeware. Individual product pages state the precise material and any additional components.
Where are your products made?
Our products are prepared and packed on our family farm in Orkney. We are first-generation farmers raising rare-breed sheep on a remote Scottish island.
Do you only use wool from your own sheep?
No. Our flock cannot supply every type or quantity of wool we need, so we also buy from trusted Scottish and British farms. Good husbandry, sheep welfare and a clear understanding of the wool's origin are central to how we choose suppliers.
Is the wool traceable?
We work with wool whose origin we understand, whether it comes from our own flock or a trusted supplier farm. This gives our products a clear route back to the farms and flocks behind the fibre.
What happens to wool that cannot be used in a product?
Every fleece is sorted by hand and matched to its most suitable use. Leftover skirted wool is donated to local gardeners and gardening groups, helping us avoid unnecessary waste.
What are wool pellets used for?
Wool pellets are a natural soil improver, slow-release feed and moisture-retaining material. Mix them through compost for pots and containers, work them into beds and borders, or use Wool Slug Pellets as a surface ring around vulnerable plants. As the wool absorbs water it expands, helping create air spaces around roots; as it breaks down, it adds organic matter and gradually releases nutrients.
Are wool pellets good for the garden?
Yes, especially where soil or peat-free compost dries quickly. Wool naturally holds moisture and releases it gradually, while its nitrogen and potassium become available as the fibre biodegrades. Pellets can support root growth, improve soil structure and reduce how quickly pots dry out. They are a soil-support product rather than a complete fertiliser for every plant, so continue to follow the feeding needs of what you grow.
What should I do with wool pellets?
For pots and containers, mix around 100g with 4 litres of compost or soil. For beds and borders, spread approximately 1kg across 2.5m² and work it into the soil. To create a slug barrier, place a complete ring about 10cm wide around each vulnerable plant, then water it lightly so the pellets expand and begin to felt together.
How do I use wool pellets to help prevent slug damage?
Remove weeds and leaves that could form a bridge across the barrier, then make an unbroken ring approximately 10cm wide around the plant. Water lightly so the pellets expand into a connected wool mat. Keep the barrier clear of the stem, check it regularly and fill any gaps or thin areas, particularly after heavy rain.
How effective are wool pellets for slugs?
Results vary with slug numbers, weather, soil type and how completely the barrier is applied. Many Sheep Unique customers report less damage, but wool pellets should be described as a deterrent rather than guaranteed control. An RHS garden trial found no difference in lettuce damage between several barrier materials, including wool pellets, and untreated plants. For valuable or vulnerable plants, combine the wool barrier with regular checks, removing hiding places and other wildlife-friendly slug-management methods.
Do wool pellets keep slugs away?
They are designed to make the route to a plant less inviting by forming a dry, fibrous and uneven surface. Some gardeners find this noticeably reduces damage, while others see little difference during wet weather or under heavy slug pressure. They do not kill slugs and cannot guarantee that every slug will stay away.
Do Wool Slug Pellets work?
They can form a useful physical barrier when applied as a wide, complete ring and watered into a connected mat. Customer experiences are positive, but independent evidence for wool barriers is mixed, so we do not present them as a guaranteed stand-alone solution. Their additional benefits - retaining moisture, adding organic matter and slowly feeding the soil - remain useful even where slug deterrence is limited.
Should I apply wool pellets before or after rain?
Apply them to damp soil before light rain, or apply in dry weather and water them lightly yourself. Moisture helps the pellets expand and felt together. After prolonged or heavy rain, inspect the ring and top up any gaps once the surface has settled. There is no need to put pellets directly onto slugs.
Do wool pellets smell?
A mild natural wool or sheepy scent may be noticeable when the bag is first opened or when the pellets are newly wet. This comes from the natural fibre and traces of lanolin, not added chemicals. The scent usually fades after the pellets are mixed into soil or have been outdoors for a short time.
Wool beyond the garden
Home & wildlife
How should Bird Nesting Wool be offered?
Place the short-fibred wool in a clean suet holder or similar feeder, hung at least 1.5 metres above the ground and away from dense cover where predators could hide. Birds can then collect what they need.
How long do Tumble Dryer Balls last?
They are designed to be reused for up to 1,000 washes. Use all three balls together in the dryer so they can separate laundry and help warm air circulate.
What are felted wool rugs?
Felted wool rugs are handmade from shorn sheep fleece. The fleece is carefully felted onto a natural wool backing, preserving its individual colour, texture and character without using the sheep's skin. Each rug is naturally unique.
Are felted wool rugs sheepskins?
No. Our felted rugs are made from shorn fleece with a felted wool backing. The sheep is shorn for its comfort and health, then returns to the field.
Why do natural wool products vary?
Colour, texture, markings and fibre character naturally vary between sheep and breeds. This variation is part of the product's provenance rather than a manufacturing fault.
Orders and stockists
Buying & trade
Where can consumers buy Sheep Unique products?
Consumer orders are placed securely through Island Farm Shop. Each Sheep Unique product page links to the appropriate shop listing.
Do you supply independent retailers?
Yes. We work with garden centres, farm shops, wildlife retailers, craft shops and eco-led stores. Visit our Trade Buyers page for product formats and enquiry details.
What are the minimum trade orders?
Minimums vary by product. Garden Wool Pellets and Wool Slug Pellets start at 12 packs, Tumble Dryer Balls at 48 packs and Bird Nesting Material at 122 packs. Handmade rugs are quoted according to availability.
How quickly can trade orders ship?
Most orders leave our Orkney farm within two working days. Custom felted rugs and very large orders may take a little longer, and we will confirm the expected dispatch date when your order is agreed.
Can you discuss own-label or bulk supply?
Yes. Own-label supply, mixed cases and larger bulk quantities are available for selected products and can be discussed as part of a trade quotation.
Still need an answer?
Send us your question or ask for the current trade details.