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How To Lanolize Wool

I love wool and I’ve talked about it in some detail before. In that post I talk about how to lanolize wool, but I felt that photos along with further instruction may be helpful.

Let’s talk details first.  In the post I did before I talked about two means of lanolizing and washing.  DIY (Baby Wash & Lanolin) and Wool Wash with Lanolin.  Both work, but I find that a true wool wash with lanolin works better and is of course easier.  Not to mention I’ve never ended up with it all over my counter tops (hot water, soap, lanolin & shaking can evidently sometimes lead to minor messy explosions).

Over the last few months I have been trying out Sudz n Dudz products from Emmaya Naturals.  I *love* them  Their wool wash never leaves my longies feeling greasy and it lasts.  I have been using it all winter and have only washed my wool a few times (I use wool daily).  Their soaps are amazing and the scents heavenly.

They carry all sorts of wool care products.   Liquid lanolin, wool wash bars, spray lanolin and more.

Below, I am explaining how to wash/lanolize your wool with a wool wash.  The same method can be applied to a homemade wash.  If you choose not to use a well made wash, be careful!  You need to make sure that the wash and lanolin is very well mixed and keep an eye on it.  If not, you can end up with lanolin spots.  If you get a spot, I have had great luck getting them out by carefully running warm water through them.  Just be very careful.

Before you start to lanolize your wool, see if they need washed (if they have been worn, they do).  If there is any soiling from solids, lightly rinse then scrub (gently) with wool was (a bar is super handy for this) and tepid water to remove the solids.

1) Fill a basin (bowl, sink, etc.) with lukewarm water (be sure to put enough water in to cover your wool). Put a tablespoon or so of wool wash in. Swish around a little to evenly distribute.  Notice that the water will get a little cloudy.

2) Lay wool on the water and gently push it into the water. Move it around gently to saturate it. I like to turn my wool inside out at this point. Gently swish it around again.  (I like to do steps 1 & 2 twice, the first time is to rinse away dirties (drain & refill basin), the second for long lasting lanolin protection.)

3) Continue step 2 until all of your wool is under water.  Be careful to watch for any colors that might bleed.  If they will bleed, put them in another container (see right)  Let them sit for 20-30 minutes.

4) Leaving the wool in the sink, drain the water.  I like to do this so that the lanolin can sink down onto and through the wool (or so I tell myself).

5) Gently press the water out. DO NOT WRING!

6) There are two methods that you can use to get more water out to prepare for drying.  1) Lay it on a towel and roll it up to get out excess water. or 2) My preferred method.  Use the spin cycle on your washing machine.  Spin only!  No water, no agitation, just spin.  Works great and will not harm your wool!

7) Lay to dry.  I prefer to use a drying rack like this.  It folds up super thin and I stash it in our broom closet.  If you remove the excess water with a towel this part can take a couple of days if it’s a thicker item.  If you use the spin cycle on your washer, they’ll be dry overnight (or sooner!)

That’s it!  When they are all dry put them on your little one and enjoy their natural diaper covering awesomeness.

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