HELP! Wool Problem Solver

Using wool can be simple but occasionally things go wrong. Here's some helpful tips for happier wooly bottoms.

My wool is leaking! What can I do?
Don't panic! There are a few things you can try.

If you are getting damp patches on the outside of your wool nappy cover then it could be time to re-treat it with lanolin. See the How To page for instructions.

Is the nappy fastened OK? Sometimes if the snap, nippa or velcro comes undone your baby can wee out the side of the nappy straight onto the wool which will leave big wet patches.

Does the nappy fit well? If the nappy is loose around the legs and your child lays on their side wee can miss the nappy and go stright onto the wool making it wet.

Is the nappy absorbent enough? Older babies wee more than little ones and need a more absorbent nappy. Try adding a booster to the nappy or change it more often.

I've shrunk my wool! HELP!
It's easily done, but there are things you can try.

Soak the wool in a solution of warm water and hair conditioner and gently pull the wool back into shape.

Alternatively you can soak the wool in warm water and a mild soap, then lay it out on a towel, roll it up to squeeze out excess moisture, roll it back flat again and gently pull back into shape.

If that doesn't work look on the bright side, your baby's favourite doll or teddy now has a lovely new wool wrap!

I lanolised my wool and it's gone all sticky! What can I do?
Wool can feel sticky if you used too much wool cure or you used pure lanolin and it didn't disolve into the water properly. It's an easy problem to solve. Just wash your wool using a mild soap and this should get rid of the excess lanolin and stop it from feeling sticky. If you have lumps of lanolin stuck to your wool just apply a litte mild liquid soap and gently rub until the lump disappears.

My baby has developed a rash after using wool.
Some people are allergic to lanolin. If your baby suffers from a rash after using wool see medical advice from your doctor or health visitor. The rash may or may not be caused by wool but it's best to get professional advice.

Clair Coult