Vilate Thacker of Nifty Nappy - On the Magic of Wool

~ Guest Post ~

By: Vilate Thacker, Nifty Nappy

Wool is magic . . . at least that is how I like to describe it. I know that some say that the lanolin is what makes the wool so good, but I will argue this point. Wool fiber is what is so great for cloth diapering. It is the wool fiber, not the lanolin that will change the urine to salt water. This process is called salinization. When the woolie is wet it will smell pretty bad. Just hang it out to dry though, and let it do it’s magic! Then when the wool cover dries it will dry clean with a bit of a salt reside. It will also “magically” smell clean again. After this process has occurred a bunch of times the build-up of salt gets to be too much and then the process doesn’t work anymore. When this happens your woolie will start to smell even when it is dry. This is when it is time to wash your woolie and re-lanolize. Depending on how many woolies you have and how much use they get, you usually only have to wash them every three or four weeks.

Also it is the wool fibers and not the lanolin that absorb AND distribute the moisture. This is why you tend to not have leaks with a wool cover. The wool will distribute the moisture through out the entire cover and not concentrate on, or over work, one specific place. A wool cover is only as good as the diaper underneath it though! You can’t put a wool cover over a low-absorbency diaper and expect to get perfection. You need a good absorbent cloth diaper under a woolie. The Nifty Nappy fitted paired with the Woolie Wrap is a good example of a great fitted woolie combo that works amazingly.

Lanolin has it’s place in wool covers though, don’t get me wrong. I feel lanolin is important for a good wool cover because it does add to the waterproof barrier. Which will help your woolie work longer. It is great as a rash cream too without doing damage to your cloth diapers since it is natural and will wash right out with soap and water. I also love that lanolin is so good for the baby’s skin. It will help with dry skin, and even eczema.

Wool is a breathable fiber. This is why when you use a nice breathable fitted with a wool cover you have less rashes. All that moisture is being allowed to escape through evaporation and is not being held right there next to the baby’s skin. The breathability of wool is also what makes it a great cover for either cold climates or hot climates. We all know that wool is touted as a great fiber to use for clothing and such in cold climates and during the winter, but it is also great for warmer climates too. Because wool is breathable it will allow the moisture to escape while helping regulate body temperature through evaporative cooling. Wool fiber helps to keep your body at the optimal temperature zone for comfort and rest. Wool buffers the extreme cold or hot air on the outside, keeping your body in that comfort zone. So whether you live in Alaska or Arizona, wool is a great solution for you and your baby.

~ My sincere thanks to Vilate for sharing her thoughts on wool with us!~

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