Parenting Magazine

How to Wash and Lanolize Wool Cloth Diaper Covers

By Craftycrunchymama
One of the reasons I was hesitant to start using wool in my cloth diaper rotation was that I was intimidated by the washing and lanolizing routine that would be required. After a few searches on the internet, I found that it didn't seem so awful and I came to find a routine that works for me! The actual washing takes me around five to seven minutes - so easy! Wool only needs to be washed when it is soiled or every few weeks.
So here is my routine! Note that I use a separate wash soap and lanolin. Some wool washes have lanolin right in them which makes things easier and simpler!
Supplies Needed:
Plastic wash tub
Wool wash or baby soap
Lanolin - I use Lanisoh nipple cream for this.
Glass jar of hot water
Towel
How to Wash and Lanolize Wool Cloth Diaper Covers
Step 1:
Fill your plastic tub with tepid water. I use a plastic tub instead of the sink because the wool fibers can clog plumbing pipes.
How to Wash and Lanolize Wool Cloth Diaper Covers
Step 2:
Add a small amount of baby wash to the water and mix.
How to Wash and Lanolize Wool Cloth Diaper CoversStep 3:
Add the wool covers and let them soak for as long as you like. I soak for about three minutes. The dirtier they are, the longer they can soak. Make sure not to swish or manipulate the covers too much, as they can stretch easily when wet.
How to Wash and Lanolize Wool Cloth Diaper CoversStep 4:
After the covers have been soaking for a few minutes, take them out of the water. When taking them out of the water, DO NOT WRING THEM! This will stretch them and change their shape. Carefully fold them in half and/or quarters and press them to squeeze the water out.
Step 5:
Dump the dirty water and refill the bucket with tepid water.
How to Wash and Lanolize Wool Cloth Diaper CoversStep 6:
Heat a cup full of water in the microwave to very very hot! This is the water that we will dissolve our lanolin in.
How to Wash and Lanolize Wool Cloth Diaper Covers
Step 7:
Place a pea size amount of lanolin in a glass jar with a lid. Add a small amount of the baby soap in the jar as well. This will help break up the lanolin.
How to Wash and Lanolize Wool Cloth Diaper CoversStep 8:
Pour the microwaved water into the glass jar containing the lanolin and soap and put the top on.
Step 9:
Shake the jar with the lanolin and soap, very very well. You want to see the water in the jar turn a whitish color. If you don't mix well enough you can get lanolin spots on your cover.
Step 10:
Pour the hot lanolin water into the tepid water and mix very well BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR WOOL COVERS IN. You don't want to pour it in after your covers are already in because this can also cause lanolin spots on your covers. Also make sure the hot water didn't make your tepid water too warm. If so, just add a little cool water and mix.
How to Wash and Lanolize Wool Cloth Diaper CoversStep 11: Add your covers (turned inside out) and let them soak for as long as you choose - at least a couple of hours. I usually do it for six to eight (overnight works well).
How to Wash and Lanolize Wool Cloth Diaper CoversStep 12:
After the covers have soaked, take them out. Again, do not wring them but fold them in half and press and in quarters and press.
Step 13:
To get the excess water out, roll the cover in a towel. I put the cover in the towel and roll a little bit and kneel on it, roll a little bit and kneel on it, etc.
How to Wash and Lanolize Wool Cloth Diaper Covers
How to Wash and Lanolize Wool Cloth Diaper CoversStep 14: Lay out to dry! Laying the covers as flat as possible is your best option so as not to stretch them out.
How do you wash your wool covers? Is it similar to this? I would love to hear!

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