How Hard Is Wool?

[chely7425]

I have been looking at wool covers for a friend of mine and I am just wondering... how hard is wool really? Can you wash it with regular diapers? What extra care is involved? Thanks so much!!

[purplemamaturtle5]

Wool is awesome. I love it!! Its really not that hard to take care of either. You really cant wash it with the rest of the diapers, but taking care and washing the wool on its own is really simple. I learned how to wash and take care of my wool from a website called www.greenmountaindiapers.com (here is a direct link to the wool care section... http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/lanolize.htm ). I actually made my own wool covers for my baby using old wool sweaters from my local thrift store. They are wool longies (the pant style). Wool is great!! its breathable, clean, most often its soft, it doesnt leave the baby feeling super soaked, and you dont have to wash them after EVERY SINGLE pee diaper. Just let them hang to dry and presto!! I think its recomended that you wash and lanolize the wool every 3-4 weeks. Hope this helped some.

[momof3soon]

That is interesting

[Ruthla]

When I was CDing my daughters with nylon or vinyl covers, I'd air out "wet" covers for a few uses, then dump poopy ones into the diaper pail. Wet ones also got tossed into the pail when they got too stinky. Then I'd wash everything together, put the diapers in the dryer and hang up the covers to dry.

When I was CDing DS with wool covers, the "wet" covers got aired out between uses- generally I'd have two that I swapped out for several days in a row. When they got too stinky (which took a couple of weeks, not half a day like with the other covers) or they got poop on them, I'd have to wash the covers. If I only had one or two that needed washing, I'd do it in the sink, but usually I waited until all but 2 needed washing, then I'd do a load of wool in the washing machine with wool wash, and hang them to dry. Occasionally, if I got a lot of poop on a cover, I'd toss that cover in with the diapers and then re-lanolize it after washing- but that didn't happen often.

Either method is pretty easy once you get into the swing of things, and IMO both are easier long-term than dealing with disposables, having to remember to go out and buy more diapers, etc. There is a bit of a learning curve if you're switching from other cover materials to wool, as you need to find a spot to toss the wool that's awaiting a wash (since you can't simply toss everything into the same diaper pail.) I used to leave my diaper pail uncovered, with the lid on the floor next to it, and pile the wool covers on the lid.

[chely7425]

Hmmm... this is all good to know!! What kind of cover do you recommend for a wool newbie? What all do I need to try wool in terms of washing stuff?

[Michigan Mama]

I like wool shorties or longies, especially for summer - then you don't need separate shorts or pants.

I'm not a fan of "soakers", I'd rather have a wrap style, just because if you get a leaky poop, I hate having to peel it down their legs. That goes for any cover. I like to be able to open it.

I use Eucalan wool wash, and I hardly ever have to lanolize apart from that. When lanolizing, you can use just plain old lanolin like Lansinoh (for breastfeeding)...

[brennatsi]

Thanks for the thread and thanks for the info, Mamas. I am dying to try wool, too. It is so expensive, though, I haven't jumped in quite yet. For the mamas who use wool already, do you use crocheted or wool flannel? Homemade or bought? Good brands to try?

Thanks!!

[momoen1]

It depends on what kinda wool you use, whether I would throw them in the wash. Knit/crochet wool I would hand wash. They will felt. I have found out the hard way. Interlock, jersey, flannel wool I have thrown in the wash, but not with the diapers. The wool should be washed on cold.

To answer the previous post, I taught myself to knit about 4 years ago b/c I wanted to use wool, but just couldn't afford to buy the hand knit soakers/shorts/longies.