Caring for Your Woolens

 

 

Now that you made the choice to try wool for your cloth diapers, you’re probably wondering how to care for them. 

 

Handwash Only!

 

 You must handwash them!  I know you’re thinking, “Seriously!”  Yes, the washing machine will shrink them.  Some people do have luck washing them on the delicate cycle, but I really wouldn’t risk it.  Plus, it is simple to do and you don’t have to wash them after every use.  The lanolin in the soaker neutralizes the urine.  You only need to wash it about every few weeks or if they become soiled. 

 

To wash, simply fill your sink or an appropriate sized container with cool-warm water.  Using castille soap, baby shampoo/wash, or Eucalan, gently clean the soaker.  Do not rub excessively.  Rinse out soap.  Lay flat to dry, unless you are going to lanolinize it.

 

 

Lanolinizing

 

                You will need to add more lanolin to the wool about once a month as well.   Again, this is simple to do.   Lanolin is the real magic behind wool.  Not only does it neutralize the urine, but it is what makes the soaker water proof. 

 

1.       Wash your woolens and turn inside out.

2.       Fill a mug/jar with hot water and microwave for 1-2 minutes until it boils.

3.       Add a squirt of baby shampoo and about ½ tsp of solid lanolin (Lansinoh is available in most stores).  Mix up well.  The lanolin mixture should turn milky white.

4.       Fill your sink or an appropriate sized container with hot water.

5.       Dump the lanolin mixture into the container of hot water and mix well.

6.       Add your woolens, submerging them completely.  Do not agitate your woolens or you may accidentally felt them.  Hot water alone will not felt them.  Heat+wet+friction=felting.

7.       Leave for at least 1 hour, preferrably overnight.

8.       Drain the water, gently push the water out of the woolens.  Wrap in a towel and further press the water out.  If you can, just dump the whole thing in your washer and put on the spin cycle (be sure it doesn’t agitate it).

9.       Lay flat to dry.

 

If you find your soaker is leaking, try lanolinizing it again.  Some wools take a few treatments before they become fully effective.  If you still find it leaking, try using a more absorbant diaper.  Your soaker will only be as good as the diaper in them.