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Wool Soakers/ Wraps: How to Use and Care for Wool Soakers.
Added 22nd of November 2008
How to use and care for wool soakers.
Article Written By Vicky from Baa Baa Bottoms:
When you think about covers for cloth nappies, wool might not be the first thing that leaps to mind. My first thought was "that will never work", but I gave it a go... and it does!
There are two main types of soakers that you can buy - felted and knitted. The felted ones such as the Imse Vimse or Stacinator have a tight weave to the fabric as the wool fibres have been shrunk. Knitted ones are usually hand knitted and you can see the knitted stitches (like on a jumper). Both types work the same way.
If you fancy trying wool nappy covers, there are a few simple rules to follow.
Get ones with high wool content. The higher the wool content of the fibre, the better the soaker will work. I always use 100% wool in my wraps anyway, but an effective soaker needs to be at least 80% wool.
You can only use wool with natural fibre nappies, i.e. cotton, bamboo, hemp - not microfibre. Because microfibre nappies hold the liquid differently to natural fibre, liquid wicks in to the wool very quickly.
The nappy underneath needs to be absorbent enough - the wool will let moisture through if the nappy becomes saturated.
After use, the wrap may smell a bit, but it just needs to be hung up (on the back of a chair is good) to air, and the smell will go.
Basically, these rules apply because wool is NOT waterproof, rather water-repellent when treated with lanolin.
Caring for wool
Wool soakers are very easy to care for. Initially I was put off by the whole treating with lanolin thing, but it is not at all complicated, and quite quick.
Before you first use your wool soaker, you will need to treat it with lanolin about 3 times before it becomes properly water-repellent. Lanolin is the wax produced by sheep to keep their fleece in good weatherproof condition, so if it's good enough for sheep...!
Treating - You can buy pure lanolin or lanolin treatment (wool cure), but they both work the same way. If you use wool cure, the instructions are on the bottle - just add to hot water(enough to cover the wrap), wait for it to cool down and put the soaker in overnight. Rinse in the morning, and it's done!
If you use pure lanolin (much cheaper in the long run), it has a thick waxy consistency so needs help to emulsify in the water. You just need to add a small amount of soap (olive soap from health food shops is good, or use wool wash) to very hot water and add a teaspoon of lanolin. The hot water melts the lanolin and the soap emulsifies it into the water. When it has cooled down, you treat the same as with the wool cure.
Washing - You only need to wash your soaker every couple of weeks (maybe longer) as long as you hang it up to air after use. If it smells after airing, it needs a wash! Natural soap such as Olive soap (available from health food shops) are good, or you can buy wool shampoo.
I always advise hand-washing wool soakers, especially ones that are 100% wool as hot water and agitation in the washing machine can cause felting (the wool fibres shrink and you end up looking at something half it's original size!). Most washing machines have a wool or hand wash cycle so you could take your chances if you're brave enough! Felted soakers can be washed in the washing machine.
You only need a small amount of soap - just enough to get your soaker clean without stripping too much of the lanolin out of the wool. You will need to re-treat your soaker with lanolin every 2 or 3 washes, depending on how much is stripped out when washed. There is an element of trial and error when knowing how often to wash/ lanolize, and how much soap to use, but you soon get used to it.
Drying - knitted soakers (non-felted ones) should be dried flat to prevent them losing their shape. I roll mine up loosely in a towel to soak up drips and put them on the airer - takes up less space this way. Felted wraps can be hung up.
Why use wool and when
There are many benefits to using wool. It's a natural fibre so it's breathable. It's warm in the winter. It's easy to care for as it doesn't need washing after every use and can be worn as outerwear - no need for trousers!
Wool soakers are especially good at night time providing you have an adequately boosted nappy underneath because of it's breathability. I also like wool for daytime running about as it's nice and warm. I also like wool if my daughter has nappy rash as it seems to clear up quicker.
However, there are times when wool isn't a good choice - mainly when your baby will be sitting down for long periods of time, e.g. long car journeys, in the pushchair, as this will cause compression wicking where liquid is pushed through the wool by the weight of your baby sitting in one position.
Making your own
Not to do myself out of any potential customers(!), but if you are handy with the knitting needles it's not difficult to make your own wool wraps and there are lots of websites with patterns on. You need to make sure you use yarn with a wool content of greater than 80%. The other fibre content is also important - make sure it is not cotton as this is absorbent so liquid gets drawn into the wrap, lanolised or not. Check out these websites:
www.freevintageknitting.com/baby
Thanks Vicky. I asked Vicky to write this, as she knows a lot more about wool than me!!
Buy and sell homemade goodies in a nappysite WAHM shop.
