Washing Wool Puddle/Crib Pads?

[daisymommy]

Hi all, I just bought a few wool puddle pads for the crib, and was wondering how to wash them/care for them?

We use wool diaper covers, so I know some about wool care. But I've never washed such a large piece of wool, nor in the washing machine.

The place I bought them from recommends Kookaburra wool wash, which I've heard smells strong. So I am thinking I'll use Eucalan if possible? Do they need to be lanolized every so often? I hope not, that sure would make my washer sticky!

[swd12422]

Does the label/package say you can wash in the machine? I'd think you'd have to hand-wash just like with diaper covers, or at least wash on gentle and lanolize by hand. I wouldn't use lanolin or a lanolizing wool wash in the washer!

I'd just hand-wash and lanolize in the tub if you don't have a large enough sink.

[bumblecat]

I'm boosting this instead of starting a new thread. I want to lanolize some large pieces of wool - too big for my sinks. I was planning on using the bathtub. I have never lanolized anything before.

I do have some Eucalan and Lanisol. I don't know if the Eucalan is enough to do it on its own. And the only lanolizing instructions I have seen before are from GMD about how to do wool diaper covers in the sink - so I have no idea which product (or both?) to use, or how much to use if I fill my tub about halfway.

I have 1 large blanket I want to use as a mattress protector for my queen bed, 2 crib mattress size ones, and a few changing pad size ones. I bought a couple large wool blankets from the thrift store and cut one up. I washed them in my machine, but now I need to lanolize them before they'll do me any good.

So which product should I use, and how much do you think? TIA

[talia rose]

i lanolize in my washing machine on gentle (cold) for big items. i've used eucalan in the past and never noticed a residue, but i wouldn't put whites in after. i just don't do a rinse cycle. (as the soap/lanolin should stay in.) with diaper covers i just used a bucket and squished by hand. a bathtub would probably work well too, just more labor intensive. remember wool does not need to be washed very often as it is naturally anti bacterial...

[MrsAprilMay]

I've heard of women who wash all their woolies in the washing machine. They just fill it with water on the final rinse of the gentle cycle, add the wool wash and let it agitate for a few seconds then stop it to add the wool. You let it soak according to the directions and then start the washer again. It will agitate the wool, drain and spin dry. Then your drying time is greatly reduced. I only own a few woolies, so it wouldn't be practical for me. But if you have a lot to wash or are washing a large item, it would probably work.