Lanolizing Wool

I love wool and I've talked about it in some detail before. In that post I talk about how to lanolize wool, but I felt that photos along with further instruction may be helpful.

Let's talk details first.  In the post I did before I talked about two means of lanolizing and washing.  DIY (Baby Wash & Lanolin) and Wool Wash with Lanolin.  Both work, but I find that a true wool wash with lanolin works better and is of course easier.  Not to mention I've never ended up with it all over my counter tops (hot water, soap, lanolin & shaking can evidently sometimes lead to minor messy explosions).

Over the last few months I have been trying out Sudz n Dudz products from Emmaya Naturals.  I *love* them  Their wool wash never leaves my longies feeling greasy and it lasts.  I have been using it all winter and have only washed my wool a few times (I use wool daily).  Their soaps are amazing and the scents heavenly.

They carry all sorts of wool care products.   Liquid lanolin, wool wash bars, spray lanolin and more.

Below, I am explaining how to wash/lanolize your wool with a wool wash.  The same method can be applied to a homemade wash.  If you choose not to use a well made wash, be careful!  You need to make sure that the wash and lanolin is very well mixed and keep an eye on it.  If not, you can end up with lanolin spots.  If you get a spot, I have had great luck getting them out by carefully running warm water through them.  Just be very careful.

Before you start to lanolize your wool, see if they need washed (if they have been worn, they do).  If there is any soiling from solids, lightly rinse then scrub (gently) with wool was (a bar is super handy for this) and tepid water to remove the solids.

1) Fill a basin (bowl, sink, etc.) with lukewarm water (be sure to put enough water in to cover your wool). Put a tablespoon or so of wool wash in. Swish around a little to evenly distribute.  Notice that the water will get a little cloudy.

2) Lay wool on the water and gently push it into the water. Move it around gently to saturate it. I like to turn my wool inside out at this point. Gently swish it around again.  (I like to do steps 1 & 2 twice, the first time is to rinse away dirties (drain & refill basin), the second for long lasting lanolin protection.)

3) Continue step 2 until all of your wool is under water.  Be careful to watch for any colors that might bleed.  If they will bleed, put them in another container (see right)  Let them sit for 20-30 minutes.

4) Leaving the wool in the sink, drain the water.  I like to do this so that the lanolin can sink down onto and through the wool (or so I tell myself).

5) Gently press the water out. DO NOT WRING!

6) There are two methods that you can use to get more water out to prepare for drying.  1) Lay it on a towel and roll it up to get out excess water. or 2) My preferred method.  Use the spin cycle on your washing machine.  Spin only!  No water, no agitation, just spin.  Works great and will not harm your wool!

7) Lay to dry.  I prefer to use a drying rack like this.  It folds up super thin and I stash it in our broom closet.  If you remove the excess water with a towel this part can take a couple of days if it's a thicker item.  If you use the spin cycle on your washer, they'll be dry overnight (or sooner!)

That's it!  When they are all dry put them on your little one and enjoy their natural diaper covering awesomeness.

What's my night time diaper solution?

I stumbled upon my night time solution and I love it.  My oldest daughter (she's all potty now!) use to fill a diaper over night, but it always got me through.  In the end, I used wool over it *just* in case.  It was merely for my piece of mind.  Now my youngest baby girl used this combo and it works just as great.

So what is it?

I use a BumGenius one-size pocket diaper with two very special inserts - hat's where the magic comes in.

Artsy Fartsy Foo Foo Hemp & a bamboo/zorb combo insert.  The place I purchased the second insert no longer makes them, but I did find this shop that make a very similar product.

If you go this route, be sure to place the hemp insert on top of the other one (closest to baby).  The hemp absorbs so quickly.  It's amazing and I think the biggest reason I never have leaks.

So this is my combo.

#1 Artsy Fartsy Foo Foo
This shop stocks on the 5th & 20th of the month.  Be fast because she sells out crazy fast.  I'm talking under a minute in most cases.

#2 Bamboo/Zorb doubler
These aren't exactly what I use, but very similar!  Found them here on Etsy.

#3 Pocket Diaper
I mostly use a bumGenius, but I have also used Fuzzibunz One-Size, Swaddlebees Econappi, Smartipants & Thirsties Duo Diapers with great success.

If pocket diapers aren't your thing, the other great solution that I have used, and do when I'm out of my combo items, is a fitted.  I have found Goodmamas to be absorbent enough to get them through the night.  I typically cover with a Thirsties Duo or interlock wool.

#1 Fitted
Try Goodmama or other similar bamboo/cotton one-size fitted diaper.  BubuBebe for example.

#2 Cover
Try Thirsties Duos.  I love these covers.  They also now come in snaps and cute designs!

If PUL's not your thing or you want a little more protection try interlock wool like these from Sloomb.

I would like to mention that as your child gets older putting wool or other pants over their diaper is a GREAT idea.  I have the most disgusting and embarrassing photo of my daughter (which I won't be posting) that came about as the result of curiosity and no pants one fateful morning.  I was pregnant and it wasn't pretty!


Also, wool like what's pictured above is a great second line of defense for leaks overnight :)


Do you have a night time solution that you just love?  Please feel free to add your comments here.  You never know who it may help :)  Thank you and good luck!

All About Wool

So, you've heard about using wool as a cover for cloth diapers (or maybe not) , and you want to know more.

Wool is a wonderful and natural way to go in the world of cloth. Not only is it beautiful, but it his highly functional.

Let's talk the properties of wool.

Antibacterial & Anti-fungal
Wool treated with Lanolin is water resistant, air permeable, and slightly antibacterial, so it resists the buildup of odor. (1)

Breathable
Wool is a natural fiber. That, right off the bat helps give it breathable properties. Wool fibers are crimped and when the fibers all combine they create pockets of air within the fabric or yarn. This makes wool wonderfully breathable and insulating.

Good In All Seasons
Wool always absorbs moisture from the atmosphere of greater humidity and releases it to the drier environment as it creates a balance in moisture conditions. This temperature regulating characteristic makes wool a versatile all-season fabric. (2)

Water Resistant
Wool can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp or clammy. (2)

How to care for wool.
See a step by step tutorial here.

Wool is surprisingly low maintenance and simple to care for.

There are several similar methods of taking care of wool. Here are a few simple methods.

Washing, no lanolin.

*If there is any soiling from solids, lightly rinse then scrub (gently) with baby wash and tepid water to remove the solids.

1) Fill a basin (bowl, sink, etc.) with lukewarm water.

2) Put your wool into the water and gently push it into the water. Move it around gently to saturate it. I like to turn my wool inside out at this point. Gently swish it around again.

3) Drain the water.

5) Gently squeeze water out. DO NOT WRING!

6) Lay it on a towel and roll it up to get out excess water.

7) Lay flat to dry. (This part can take a couple of days if it's a thicker wool piece.)

Wool Wash with Lanolin

*If there is any soiling from solids, lightly rinse then scrub (gently) with baby wash and tepid water to remove the solids.

1) Fill a basin (bowl, sink, etc.) with lukewarm water. Put a tablespoon or two of wool wash in. Swish around a little to evenly distribute.

2) Put your wool into the water and gently push it into the water. Move it around gently to saturate it. I like to turn my wool inside out at this point. Gently swish it around again.

3) Let it sit (20-30 minutes should do it).

4) Leaving the wool in the sink, drain the water.

5) Gently squeeze water out. DO NOT WRING!

6) Lay it on a towel and roll it up to get out excess water.

7) Lay flat to dry. (This part can take a couple of days if it's a thicker wool piece.)

Baby Wash & Lanolin

*If there is any soiling from solids, lightly rinse then scrub (gently) with baby wash and tepid water to remove the solids.

1) Get a bit of hot water to melt a small glob of lanolin in. Add a few drops (small squirt) of baby wash (I use Burt's Bees), mix well. I like to use my microwave to get the water really hot to melt the lanolin well. A bottle of some sort would work well too, so that you can shake it up to mix everything well.

2) Fill a basin (bowl, sink, etc.) with lukewarm water. Put the wash that you just made into the water. Swish around a little to evenly distribute.

3) Put your wool into the water and gently push it into the water. Move it around gently to saturate it. I like to turn my wool inside out at this point. Gently swish it around again.

4) Let it sit (20-30 minutes should do it).

5) Leaving the wool in the sink, drain the water.

6) Gently squeeze water out. DO NOT WRING!

7) Lay it on a towel and roll it up to get out excess water.

8) Lay flat to dry. (This part can take a couple of days if it's a thicker wool piece.)

The many styles of wool.

Wool covers come in many, many, many shapes, styles, types, etc.

Interlock - Interlock is similar to most fabrics in that it comes in yardage, is cut and sewn into whatever shape or style that you're looking for.

Knit - Knit wool is just what it says, knit. The item will be made from wool yarn. Knit is adorable, stretchy and functional.

Crochet - Crocheted wool is similar to knit. It is made from wool yarn. It tends to be less stretchy than knit, but uses more wool and is often more absorbent, or "bulletproof" in diaper lingo, because of that.

Recycled - Recycled wool can be a couple of different things. Many people will use an old sweater to cut up and sew into a soaker, pair of longies, shorties, etc. Some people will unravel the sweater and use the recycled yarn to knit or crochet an item. Many people have good luck looking at thrift stores for items to use.

Soakers - These resemble underwear a bit. The cover the diaper and may or may not have a little bit around the legs for extra leak protection.

Longies - These are basically wool pants.


Shorties - Similar to Longies, except these are, you guessed it, shorts.

Skirties - These tend to be a soaker (underneath) with an attached skirt.

Wraps - These often resemble standard diaper covers. They often have a snap, button or velcro closure.

How to measure for wool.

So, you want to try wool, and the sizing is confusing. Many items don't come in a standard small/medium/large. Many are custom made. Here's how to measure your child. It's best to do this with a diaper on for an accurate fit.

Waist: Use your measuring tape and measure at your baby's natural waist. This should be about the belly button, or just above.

Rise: Measure from the belly button, down through the legs and up to their lower back (just above the diaper).

Inseam: Measure from the bottom of your babies diaper to the floor (or bottom of the foot), with baby's leg straight. (I like to add 1/2 inch to grow.)

Hip: Measure the widest area on the combined diaper & hips.

Thigh: Measure around the chubbiest part of their upper thigh.

Sources:
(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wool
(2) http://www.sheepusa.org

Do you have pics of different types of wool items not listed here? Additional helpful information?

Please feel free to leave a comment or email me and I'd be happy to add it!

Poonico (at) gmail (dot) com