Caring for wool covers

Wool covers are amazing, versatile items and only require periodic washes. Caring for wool covers is not as difficult as you might think. With a simple regime, you can have clean woollies all the time.

Wool is the most breathable nappy cover and can be used over fitted nappies, prefolds or flats during the day or night. They can be used many times before needing to be washed.

Loved a boosted fitted. Extra inserts inside and outside the nappy under a woollen cover.

I wanted long woollen covers for winter time so crocheted a couple of pairs using different patterns. This was great as I could custom-make it to fit our needs. Very tall rise and extra width at the hips to accommodate the boosting.

~ Karen, Australia

A wool cover can absorb up to 30% of its weight, absorbing any excess urine from the nappy. Lanolin (which is used to create water resistance) repels moisture.

Using wool covers

Many members use wool covers at night over a fitted nappy. Make sure to air dry the cover when not in use.

Wool suitable detergents

Wool and silk require products with a neutral pH level, and free of proteolytic enzymes (proteases, sometimes listed as subtilisin). Avoid using powder detergent, powder laundry boosters or chlorine bleach on these items as the pH is too high.

The main component of wool is a protein called keratin. Proteases are included in household laundry detergents to remove protein-based stains such as blood and grass stains. Unfortunately, proteases do not distinguish between stains and protein fibres. Washing wool with a detergent containing proteases will degrade it.

There are specialist wool detergents, however, these do not usually have enough cleaning power to adequately clean.

I’ve used Martha’s and Softly before and honestly, they are basically fancy water.

~ Jes, New Zealand

There are many wool-safe detergents available. As a general rule, if enzymes are listed the detergent is not wool safe. If you are unsure, check the ingredients for enzymes.

The exception is liquid detergents that contain wool-safe enzymes. A popular example is Dirt Delicates liquid, which contains enzymes, but is free of protease/ subtilisin.

Washing wool covers

Many members find they only need to wash wool covers every 3 – 6 weeks.

Wool covers need low temperatures and gentle washing. Do not include wool covers in your nappy washes as wool can shrink or felt.

Some wool covers can be safely washed in a washing machine using the wool cycle. Check with the brand or search the Clean Cloth Nappies Facebook group to see if your cover is suitable.

Wash your wool cover when it starts to smell.

Hand-washing wool covers

Materials Needed

• Wool-safe detergent
• Bar soap or Vanish gel (optional)
• Water
• A large bowl, bucket or laundry tub

Hand-wash process

Add a small amount of wool-suitable detergent to lukewarm water.

Turn the cover inside out (dirtiest side) and immerse in water.

Use laundry soap or Vanish gel on spots that are soiled or to remove stains. If the cover has any dirty spots, gently massage the stain. Leave to soak.

Remove the cover and gently squeeze out the water. Empty liquid.  Refill with lukewarm water and rinse the cover.

Never twist or wring wool to remove water.

Lanolising wool covers

Lanolise the cover after every wash to maintain water resistance.

Materials needed

• Water
• Lanolin
• Fabric softener or hair conditioner
• A mug
• A large bowl or container
• A towel

Mix a small amount of boiled water, a pea-sized amount of lanolin per cover, and a small amount of fabric softener or hair conditioner in a mug. Stir until the mixture turns milky white (emulsifies).

Fabric softener and hair conditioner are both cationic surfactants. Cationic surfactants provide more consistent lanolising and minimise lanolin stains. Shampoo, detergent and handwash are all anionic surfactants, they can be used as an alternative, but they will not be as effective.

If the lanolin does not dissolve, use more fabric softener/ hair conditioner and reheat the water for a few seconds in the microwave.

Allow your lanolin mix to cool slightly. Add it to a large bowl with approximately 0.5L of lukewarm water. Swirl the mixture together.

Turn the cover inside out and submerge. Soak the cover for at least one hour.

After soaking, turn the cover the right way out and squeeze excess water out (do not wring) then roll in a towel to remove excess water out. It can also be spun in the washing machine and wrapped in a towel in a wash bag. The towel may be covered in residual lanolin, this will wash out in warm-hot water.

Dry flat and in the shade.

The cover may feel tacky after it is dry, this is normal and will disappear with use. The lanolin, which is transferred onto nappies, washes out in warm-hot water.

Sanitising wool

Like all other cloth nappy systems, wool covers may need sanitising due to ammonia buildup or known infections. We have two methods for sanitising wool. The first is a stovetop sanitise (our preferred method), and the second is using benzalkonium chloride.