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Care of Wool Covers and Soakers
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| Wool is very resilient – it can be bent and stretched over 30,000 times and still not damage or break. This natural elasticity allows it to be stretched as much as 1/3 of its length and still snap back into shape.
Its complex cellular structure allows it to absorb moisture between the cells, up to 30% of it's weight and and wick it into the air, still give the feeling of being dry, yet it repels water. Wool has the unique ability to act as an insulator. It helps keep the body at an even temperature and does not conduct heat. This means that during hot or cold weather it will keep baby at a constant temperature. This is due to the small pockets of air formed by the fibers of the fabric. It also repels dirt. Wool also has natural fire-retardant properties- a huge safety feature.
To wash your wool cover, washing by hand with a lanolin rich wool soap or wool wash in lukewarm water is recommended. These wool washes help prevent the stripping of the natural lanolin in the wool. Lanolin is the key to the effectiveness of wool as a nappy cover. The lanolin coats the wool, making it water resistant. Wool also neutralises urine. Wool covers need be washed only every few weeks or when they start to retain odour or become soiled. Hang out on the clothesline to air regularly.
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| There is also the process of re-lanolising your wool covers. Wool covers will need re-lanolising approx. once a month or when less absorbency is noticed or when soiled. There are various lanolising products. One is is by using a product called Lansinoh, available from your local pharmacy. Using a small amount of Lansinoh, the size of a pea, melt this in hot water then add to the tub of warm water with covers to be lanolised. Mix the water around well, so as to evenly disperse the lanolin. You may also like to add several drops of your favourite essential oil. Soak your cover for around half an hour minimum, gently rubbing the lanolin into the wool fibres. Lastly, roll out in a towel to remove the excess moisture and lay out to dry. Hanging may stretch the wet fibres.
Here at SHP we have spray lanolin for convenience with a range of beautiful scent or unscented. Information you will find with the product on the website and also liquid lanolin which means you don't need to melt lanolin first in warm water and scents can also be added to this or your water.
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| The DONT'S of wool cover care-
Don't tumble dry your wool covers as they will shrink!
Don’t use hot water.
Rub them only gently, as this will cause the fibres to matt and tangle and they will lose their waterproofing ability.
Do enjoy the natural processes of caring for your baby and our environment
Michelle ♥
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