[Selissa]

Hi mamas. I am a vegan...but I LOVE the look of soakers. I seem to remember a mam talking aobut acrylic soakers awhile back? am i insane? do these rally exist? and do they work? thanks mamas...

 

[janerose]

Well, I've heard that acrylic soakers do exist, but unlike wool ones they need to be washed regularly. They don't have the antimicrobial aspect that wool does, so they get stinky when they get wet. I've never used an acrylic soaker, but I've heard others say they work OK. My guess would be that they're not as absorbant either. Most of the folks who I've read of using acrylic though use a wool/acrylic blend.

Just out of curiousity, why don't you want to use wool soakers? I realize you're a vegan, but I didn't know that meant you used no animal products at all. Thought it was only those that hurt or kill the animal (like leather, fur, etc.). I have several friends who raise sheep & make wool and it doesn't hurt the sheep in the least. In fact, it's good for them. You can even find "organic" wool from sheep who are allowed to free range & not fed with animal by-products.

Anyway, hope this helps. I'm sure more experienced mama's will be able to give you some links to places which make acrylic soakers. Good luck!

Holly

 

[twouglyducks]

Also, you can throw an acrylic soaker in the washer and in the dryer and it should do fine. They don't absorb, but neither does PUL or fleece and they work. I've never used one but have read lots about them. And I'm working on one now... It should be done in time for grandkids. :LOL

 

[GranolaMoon]

Yup they exist

Our elderly neighbor lady has crocheted them for baby. Acrylic is basically a plastic is why it works, knitting or crocheting it lets air move in and out. It's not a literal "soaker" however, it doesn't absorb moisture like wool does. You will have to wash it more often, but not after every dipe change. When we use the acrylic covers we rotate 2 throughout the day, one drying while he's wearing the other one, by the end of the day I throw them in a regular load of laundry.

 

[Selissa]

thanks everyone..any links?

Janerose- well now i have thought about the wool thing alot actually and while it is true that it is possible to get wool from people who have visited the farms where they get there wool and know for a fact that it is a small humane farm and i would probalby be ok with that. but i think 1. most wahms dont' have the time or opportunity to do that, 2. it would more than likely be more expensive. I'm assuming and acrylic soaker will be much cheaper than an organic freerange wool soaker see? price being a huge huge matter for me. 3. i have never managed to not flet up anything wool (prevegan days) and felted wool feels gross to me...like a matt on a really furry dog...lol...though they are soo gorgeous...i get really jealous and sometims question my self imposed moratorium on them...lovely...but i would just be being greedy...and i woudlnt' feel right about it...unless somehow someone gifted me with said organic, freerange, happy sheep wool...lol (cause isure as heck couldn't afford it)

and as point of interest, some vegans will use no animal products whatsoever because they feel it is animal slavery..which i suppose technically it is...but i guess i am still biased in that i feel ok about animals working for us...after all i work pretty hard for my pets...seems like a fair deal as long as there is love and respect on both sides.

 

[SEEPAE]

LOL, that is funny about working for pets, LOL

I know for sure 1 site gets their wool from free range sheep and they get it only when the sheep NEED to be sheered, so it isnt in any way "depriving" the sheep of their wool, it is helping them to shed it.

So you could think about gettting 1 of those and the rest being acrylic, just for fun, LOL

 

[Sophiasmomma]

i am allergic to wool and nervous that my DD is as well so i need to try an acrylic soaker!!!

 

[momtokay]

I can't say for sure, but it sounds like the wool from Pickle Pants is "sheep friendly".

If you want acrylic, I'd probably find any knitting WAHM, preferably one with a custom order available, and email to see if they could make an acrylic soaker for you.

Good luck in your search!!

 

[lestouffer]

We have an acrylic soaker that we love. ON a vegan thread, I feel strange telling you why, but we had to as Abby's wool ones all wicked through to her bedding. It get tossed in the wash every AM with her diaper and then just gets dried with the stuff as well. Good as new, and we used this vintage acrylic stuff which gets softer with each washing. Again, I cannot say enough for this soaker, cannot hurt it with the before I have had my coffee diaper change (in which wool gets tossed anywhere and may or may not ever be seen again

)

 

[allformyboys]

I think just about any knitting momma (even if they use mostly all wool) would be more than willing to use acrylic if you asked!

I know personally I don't make them up because you can never be sure if they will sell (demand is up and down). But it is possible to get 'good' wool too, but your right price is much higher, a skein of organic wool where I know the sheep personally is like $40, where regular wool can be as low as $8 for the same amount.

 

[GranolaMoon]

Watch ebay too, I've seen acrylic ones there.