What Detergent to Use When Washing Wool Diaper Covers?

For eco-conscious parents like yourself, wool diaper covers are a popular choice. You want what’s best and most natural for your baby and you need an option that is breathable, naturally water-resistant, and incredibly gentle on your baby’s skin.

There are only good things to be said about wool diaper covering, but the one thing that might become an issue is the fact that cleaning them might not be as easy as with the other options. Covers made of wool typically require extra attention and a good choice of detergent.

An Intro to Wool Diaper Covers

One thing is sure: wool is not your average fabric. It’s a natural fiber with unique properties, like super absorbency and breathability. Wool is naturally anti-bacterial as well, which is good news for you: compared to synthetic diaper covers, it can be washed less frequently. These are all great benefits for busy parents, but to extend the life of your product, you need to keep it in top condition. 

The downside? Wool can be easily damaged, if you use harsh chemicals when washing.

Why Proper Wool Care Matters

Wool is delicate. Unlike cotton or other fabrics, this material is prone to felting (shrinking and matting) if washed incorrectly. So, when is it washed wrong? This usually happens when you use friction and heat in the washing process, which causes the natural fibers to become matted together. As a result, your once-soft diaper cover becomes stiff and much less effective. 

Another very important thing: you don’t want to lose the high lanolin content of wool diaper covers. Quality wool contains a high amount of lanolin, a natural oil that gives it unbeatable water-resistant and antibacterial properties. Improper washing can strip your wool covers of lanolin.

That’s why using the right detergent is the secret to keeping wool soft, functional, and durable.

How to Pick a Wool-Friendly Detergent

As a rule of thumb, make sure you pick the gentler, wool-friendly options.

Wool is very delicate, and harsh detergents will easily damage the fibers. Make sure you pick the products that are labeled "gentle" or "wool-safe." These formulas are mild and designed to clean without stripping away the natural oils in the wool.

There are more things to consider when looking at a detergent label:

Free From Enzymes and Brighteners

Many standard laundry detergents are enriched with enzymes that break down proteins and fats to remove stains. Unfortunately, wool is made from protein fibers, which means enzyme-based detergents can eat away at the very fabric you’re trying to clean. Optical brighteners are also among the ingredients used nowadays to help your clothes look "whiter." Stay away from those ingredients, as they can leave a residue that will affect wool’s performance and feel.

No Perfumes or Dyes

One of wool’s natural qualities is that it is quite odor-resistant. What does this mean? Basically, you won’t need dye-based detergents enriched with artificial fragrances. These are all chemicals and will only irritate your baby’s sensitive skin, causing potential allergic reactions.

PH-Neutral

Wool’s pH is slightly acidic, and it tends to thrive when washed with pH-neutral detergents. Don’t use alkaline detergents, as they can cause the fibers to weaken. On the other hand, highly acidic solutions can only damage the fabric’s structure.

Pro Tips: Things to Avoid

Now you know what’s safe to use and how to read a detergent label. To recap, make sure to avoid detergents that contain the following:

1. Bleach or Chlorine: These chemicals are too harsh for wool and all they’ll manage is to ruin your product’s fibers.
2. Fabric Softeners: Wool tends to soften, if used regularly. There’s no reason for you to add extra chemicals to make it softer.
3. Hot Water: When washing, avoid using hot water. It will shrink the fabric, and cause felting. Always wash your diapers with lukewarm water.

A Few Detergent Recommendations

You will find a lot of wool-safe detergent on the market. We’ll just recommend a few brands, but keep in mind that any label that does not contain the wool irritants will do.

Eucalan Wool Wash

This detergent is designed for delicate wool items and is free from harsh chemicals. Plus, it contains a small amount of lanolin, which can help replenish your wool’s natural oils. 

Mild Soap 

This unscented castile soap is a natural and gentle option. Make sure it’s diluted properly, as concentrated soap can be tough on wool.

Kookaburra Wool Wash

This wash is eco-friendly and contains lanolin, which can be useful for maintaining the water resistance of your wool covers.

Sonett Wool Care

Sonett is biodegradable and free from synthetic ingredients. It’s also lanolin-rich, so it cleans while protecting the fibers.

Pro tip: Always follow the instructions on the detergent label and use only the recommended amount to avoid any damage.

How to Lanolize Your Wool Diaper Covers

Lanolin is wool’s secret weapon, coating the fibers, giving them their water-resistant and self-cleaning properties. Sadly though, lanolin won’t last too long in the fabric, if you wash the covers regularly. This is why you need to lanolize your wool covers. You can do it in a few easy steps:

• Begin with dry, clean wool. If lanolizing items with snaps, be sure to unsnap.
• Draw a pan/bucket/sink of lukewarm water. Hot water will felt and shrink wool.
• Take a separate cup of very hot water, and add a pea size ( this is for approximately 2 to 3 articles) of Babee Greens pure lanolin. Stir to dissolve. Dissolving well is very important to avoid sticky spots on the wool.
• Once well dissolved add to the sink of lukewarm water and mix well.
• Add your wool, soaking it through with the lukewarm, lanolin-rich bath. Let sit for a minimum of 3 hours to overnight.
• When it is time to dry the cover, longies, etc, avoid wringing or squeezing the fabric. This can cause it to become misshapen. Lay the article in a clean, dry towel and roll it to remove excess water. Lay flat to dry and you are ready to go!
• Your wool can be air-dried for weeks unless soiled and used over and over before needing to be washed. Lanolize once a month or so.

 Here is an extra pro tip: Don’t over-lanolize your wool covers. Try to do it every few weeks or when you notice the wool becoming less water-resistant.

In general, for wool diaper covers, you won’t need to wash them after every use. Spot clean with a damp cloth when needed and wash only when the cover is soiled or starts to retain odor. 

The right detergent, combined with regular lanolin treatments and a gentle washing process, will help your wool covers stand the test of time.