For the longest time I was afraid to use any kind of wool product. It's not because I didn't believe the benefits of using wool (for example, did you know that wool can hold three times its weight in liquid?) it was because I was terrified of ruining anything that had the word “wool” in it. Then after quite a few nighttime leaking issues with my son when he was cloth diapered I decided to give wool soakers a try. I fell in love and let me tell you it is NOT as scary as I had thought it was. Here it is, your easy how to wash wool tutorial!
1. First things first fill a basin or sink with lukewarm water and 1 tsp. (depends on the soap) of wash per gallon of water. If you use a washing machine (which is not recommended) do not use the rinse or spin cycle.
2. Next submerge your wool into the water. Gently squeeze the wool so that the water is completely absorbed. Remember, wool is a natural water repellent and as you can see from my picture you really do need to work that water in.
3. Soak for 15 minutes, then drain water and again gently squeeze excess into the sink. If you use a product like Eucalan you do not need to rinse the wool.
4. Lay FLAT to air dry. Never ever put wool into the dryer unless of course you're trying to make baby doll clothes!
See, it's not so scary is it? And it really doesn't take any time. Do you use wool? If not, what's holding you back? Here's to counting sheep while our woolen dreams are safely tucked away!
Cheers!
Bert
Jenn is a long-time cloth diaper educator and a passionate small business advocate. She has worked in the reusable diaper industry for over a decade, helping millions of families as well as hundreds of small businesses via her websites All About Cloth Diapers, Thinking About Cloth Diapers and Cloth Diaper Geek. Her goal always to provide simple, reliable information.
Renea Pike says
I haven’t used wool because I thought it was difficult to wash. I feel stupid saying that now, ha!! GREAT post!! Thank you!
Kristina says
I have a few wool pieces and I was just about to start researching how to wash and care for it. This came at the perfect time. Going to bookmark this page for future reference.
KarilynAley says
when/how do you do the waterproofing? lanolin?
Stacy says
Where did you get that skirtie? I totally need it ;)
Sweetpetunia says
I had knitted three very small wool soakers for my baby over the summer when I was pregnant and needed something to occupy me while waiting during my son’s speech therapy sessions. I don’t know what I was thinking. I should’ve made a larger size. I had planned on making some flannel fitted diapers but never got around to it since I was battling extreme exhaustion during my pregnancy. All I have is one small soaker that fits baby now but I don’t use it much because it probably needs to be lanolized one more time and I don’t have any more fitteds since she outgrew her newborn ones. What’s a good diaper to put under a wool soaker? It’s been so long since I’ve used wool I don’t remember what I used to put under it.
Maybe I’ll start knitting her some skirties to fit her this summer. I just need to find a good pattern. Some longies for next winter would be nice too.
Now I have to find some decent, inexpensive yarn because I think my local JoAnn stopped carrying the yarn I had settled on as the one I was going to use for woolies. :( Otherwise I’ll have to work hard, earn swagbucks and set up a paypal account to buy expensive yarn or already made woolies from WAHMs. That would be nice but probably not do-able.
FirstTimeMom MN says
Stacy – It was a hand-me-down from my friend! A friend of hers made it for her daughter. It is adorable!
Christi K says
We have been using wool for 3 weeks & it is so easy & works great! The price for dry sheets & baby in the morning is priceless :) love it & want to buy more :D thanks for the step by step into! Love your blog :)