How To Use Wool

Using wool can seem a little confusing at first, but it really is simple.

Treat it with lanolin wool cure

Lanolin is sheep fat and it gives wool it's unique properties. It doesn't make the wool waterproof as such but it works as a cleanser and conditioner which enables the wool to absorb moisutre slowly, lets that moisture evaporate slowly and it helps to prevent bacteria growing on it.

There are thre main ways to treat wool with lanolin. You can use a ready prepared wool cure (available from many wool cover stockists) and simply follow the instructions on the bottle. You can use pure lanolin. Simply disolve it in hot water with a little liquid soap such as baby bath and then make it up with a couple of litres of luke warm water and soak you wool for a couple of hours or overnight. After soaking gently squeeze the wool, don't wring it then lay it on a clean dry towel and roll it up tight to squeeze the excess moisture out. Unroll the wool and hang it to dry, preferably away from a heat source and direct light. Alternatively you can spin dry your wool in the washing machine. Place it in a pillowcase and spin on the slowest speed orwool setting. You can also treat wool with liquid lanolin spray.

Use the wool on your baby

Once the wool is dry it's ready to use. Put it over the top of your baby's cloth nappy. You don't need to change the wool at every nappy change, unless it feels a little damp on the outside. When this happens air dry it, then it is ready to use again. That's right, you don't have to wash it after each use, the lanolin cleanses the wool and prevents it from getting smelly so you can use it and dry it repeatedly for a few weeks before it needs treating again.

Hand wash it

If your wool gets soiled or starts to get smelly when it is dry you will need to wash it. It is best to hand wash wool in luke warm water with a gentle soap such as wool soap or olive oil soap. Then you are back to step 1, treat the wool with lanolin and you are ready to use it again.

Once your wool has been treated with lanolin a few times it may not be necessary to re-treat it after each washing. Use your senses, if the wool gets damp on the outside or starts to smell when it's dry then it's time for more lanolin. If the wool smells fresh when it's dry you can use it again.

Clair Coult