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How Do I Care For My Wool?
Sometimes
when someone asks, "How do I care for my wool diaper covers?" they are
bombarded with information, overwhelming them to the point of
confusion. Do a simple search of the popular cloth diaper forums, and
you'll see the myriad of techniques to care for your wool products,
from the simple frugal (and still effective) method to the over-the-top
lanolizing with multiple lanolin products. From time to time, the
safety of using lanolin is also challenged. Some people are under the
mistaken impression that lanolin contains cancer causing chemicals if
it is not organic. That is simply not true. Please be sure to read my
article on The Safety of Lanolin for more on that subject.
Wool is a
remarkable fiber because of its ability to absorb up to 35% of its
weight in moisture without feeling damp. Wool is a natural, healthy,
breathable, naturally anti-bacterial fiber, and its durability makes it
ideal for diaper covers.
Okay, let's go
over the the lanolization process first. Most WAHM-made wool items will
arrive already lanolized and ready to go, but if you need to do an
initial lanolization process this is how to do it.
- Thoroughly
saturate your wool item in a sink or basin of lukewarm water. Make sure
to turn the item inside out. You want the extra lanolin on the inside
part that comes in contact with the diaper.
- Add
a pea-size dollop of solid lanolin (or a tsp of liquid lanolin) to a
small jar full of hot water (like a cup or two) and a drop or two of
baby shampoo or wool wash (to help create an emulsion) and shake well.
Let it cool a bit so that you don't felt your wool when you add this.
- Add
the lanolin mix to the basin of water with the wool item, focusing on
the diapering wet zones.
- Very
gently squeeze the wool item, give it a swish or two to make sure the
lanolin is getting into the pores of the wool, and then let it soak for
about 20 minutes.
- Very
gently squeeze the excess liquid out of your wool cover. You can roll
it in a towel and lightly press on it to pull more moisture out. You
might want to use an older towel, as the dye can
sometimes transfer to the towel.
- Lay
your wool item out and gently shape it back to its original shape and
let it dry. Some people prefer to hang their woolens, but that can
sometimes cause stretching with heavier items.
Alrighty, that
wasn't too terrifying was it? Let's move on to washing your wool item
with liquid wool wash. I'm tired of saying "item". For the sake of
discussion, I'm going to call it a soaker. It can be a soaker, shorts,
longies, cover, whatever.
- Thoroughly
rinse your soaker in cool water. You want to remove all the urine that
the soaker has absorbed before you start washing it.
- Fill
your sink or basin with warm water (not hot) and add a couple tsp of
W.O.W. Liquid Wool Wash.
- Add
your soaker and gently swish it around. Very gently squeeze it so that
you get the suds deep into the pores of your wool.
- If
you are using W.O.W. Liquid Wool Wash, it's not necessary to rinse your
soaker.
- Gently
squeeze your soaker to remove the excess water. Do NOT wring it. You
may roll it in a towel and squeeze the remaining water out.
Use an older towel, as the dye can sometimes transfer to the
towel.
- Lay
your soaker flat and gently re-shape it. Leave it to dry. Some choose
to hang dry, but that may cause stretching in some heavier items.
Well, what if
you want to use a wool wash bar instead of liquid? The technique is
very similar to the liquid wool wash method.
- Thoroughly
rinse your soaker in cool water. You want to remove all the urine that
the soaker has absorbed before you start washing it.
- Fill
your sink or basin with warm water (not hot).
- Add
your soaker and gently swish it around. Lather the wool wash soap in
your hands and then apply those suds to your soaker. You should not rub
a bar of soap directly on your soaker.
- Gently
squeeze your soaker with lathered hands to make sure the lanolin suds
get deep into the pores of your wool.
- Dunk
and swish your soaker in the water to remove the excess soap from your
soaker. It is not necessary to thoroughly rinse the soaker.
- Gently
squeeze your soaker to remove the excess water. Do NOT wring it. You
may roll it in a towel and squeeze the remaining water out.
Use an older towel, as the dye can sometimes transfer to the
towel.
- Lay
your soaker flat and gently re-shape it. Leave it to dry. Some choose
to hang dry, but that may cause stretching in some heavier items.
I hope that
offers a little insight into caring for your woolens. If you have any
questions, please feel free to email us. We are happy to answer any
questions that you may have.
© 2006-2008 Whitney Leroy
No part of this article may be reprinted, reproduced or transmitted in
any form or by any means without the prior permission of the author.
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