Monday, January 7, 2013

Wool Basics Series-Intro to Wool!

I have decided to do a wool basics series in order to introduce people to wool use in diapering, specifically. I think that wool is scary for people sometimes because it seems like a lot of extra work or just very foreign. My goal with this series is to demystify wool and wool usage-it is actually way easier than most people think! Posts I am planning in this series include:
Why does wool make a good wetness barrier/diaper cover?
How to Wash
How to Lanolize-photo tutorial
How to take measurements for your baby (determine sizes)-photo tutorial
Comparison between different types of wool garments (knitted/crocheted versus interlock)
Comparison between different wool products
How to make your own wool wash
Are there any other topics that you guys would specifically like to see covered? I know for those of you who have used wool for a long time, these will all be very basic-feel free to skip over them (though chime in if you see something that is missing that you think would be very helpful for a new wool user)! The goal is to help those of you who are new to wool have the best possible experience, and those who are thinking of using wool to be able to make an informed decision.
For this first post, I am going to give some basics and define some terms. Many of these topics will be expanded upon in coming posts but if you have questions, feel free to ask!
Who Is Wool For?
Wool obviously has many functions for all sorts of different applications, but for the purposes of babies and baby care: wool is a great natural fiber that can provide a wetness barrier. Basically, it can be a semi-waterproof cover for your child. I say "semi waterproof" because, as with any cover, if the saturation level gets way too high, it will eventually leak through-but your child should not be in one diaper that long anyway! So wool diaper cover type garments are for ANY mama who has a child in diapers.
Is a wool garment a diaper?
No-it is a cover which provides extra absorption. You use it over a diaper-disposable diaper, prefold, fitted, pocket-any type of diaper.
When do people use wool?
Wool can be used as your only diaper cover if you want! One great thing about wool garments is they can be used as clothes (they can be made to look like pants or shorts) and a diaper cover all in one! You can also get them custom designed so that they fit your little one perfectly. Or it can be used as a traditional cover with clothing over it-your call. Many people use wool as an extra barrier to prevent the sheets from getting wet by your heavy wetters at night!
But isn't it a big pain to take care of?
Washing wool is a little bit more complicated than washing your regular laundry or typical diapers. The entire process probably takes about 45 minutes start to finish (but about 30 of those minutes are spent waiting for the diapers to soak-so only about 15 minutes of you actively doing something). BUT this is made up for by the fact that you only have to wash your wool once every 1-3 months or if it gets poopy.
Isn't it really hot in the summer?
This will be addressed in detail in the next post, but wool is actually very neat in that it is warm in the winter but cool in the summer. This is because it does not conduct heat.
I have had wool sweaters before and they are itchy! Why would I put that against my baby's skin?
The "itchiness" of wool has everything to do with the way it is processed and created into your garment. Baby wool is usually VERY soft, potentially their softest garment, and for sure softer than PUL covers or disposable diapers.
Wool Terms Explained
The following are some terms you will commonly see used with wool:
Longies-pants
Shorties-shorts
Cover-diaper cover, usually one piece that pulls up like a pullup or pair of underwear
Wrap-diaper cover with snaps or velcro that you wrap around the diaper
Interlock-woven wool fabric
Knit/crochet-wool garment that has been knitted or crocheted
Lanolin-the oil produced by the sheep; this is what allows the wool to be super absorptive (it absorbs even without the lanolin) and be somewhat self cleansing
Wool wash bar-wool soap-often has lanolin in it so can be a wash and lanolizer in one
Wool wash-can also come in a solution that looks sort of like lotion; again, this often has lanolin in it

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