Method of use:
- Add about 1.5 cups of hot tap water to a glass jar or measuring cup
- More water can be used for larger volumes – note that too much water can result it in the lanolin not emulsifying without heavy blending like with a stick blender
- Add 1 Emulsifying Block per Teaspoon of Solid Lanolin and stir until about half dissolved
- You may let this sit a bit, and even smoosh the block between your fingers of the side of the glass to help dissolve
- The Blocks are handcut and sizing varies a bit. Some water may need a bit more or less of the soap to work, so add smaller amounts first and adjust as needed.
- Mix in Bumby Solid Lanolin and blend until milky white and emulsified
- Once the lanolin has blended in, you my remove the block and save for later
- You may need to add a bit more of the emulsion cube at this point if the lanolin isn’t blended all the way
- Pour into room temperature water
- If the water is too hot it can cause felting of your wool or dyes to bleed. Too cold can cause felting of knit type wool. Room temperature is usually safe bet, adding a touch of warm then the rest cold usually works well so you don’t have to wait.
- If the water is too cold your solution may separate or break. Also if the water is a bit acidic, this can also happen. You can skim off the solids and microwave to melt, and remix with a whisk into the water. Adding a touch of baking soda may help as well. But be careful, too much can cause the wool to bleed or felt, just a pinch will do.
- Soak your prewetted wool garments inside out. It is advisable to separate your wool colours until you know they are colourfast in your water.
- Over-soaking your wool isn’t great for the fibers. I recommend letting it sit for 20 to 60 minutes then letting the wool dry a bit and dipping again (in the same solution so you aren’t wasting) This will allow the lanolin to layer, as opposed to just saturating the wool fibers with water
- Adjust how much you make depending on your wetness protection needs. Usually 1 teaspoon per 1 or 3 garments depending on size
- Some like their wool sticky feeling with lanolin, some just lanolize to condition the fibers
- Wool is only as good as what is underneath. If you experience leaks, you may need to add more absorbency.
- Wool is a breathable wonderful fiber. PUL may prevent leaks a bit better in some instances, but many find it causes more diaper rashes than wool. Also wool pulls moisture away from the diaper, leaving our babies more comfortable rather than a dripping diaper that can happen with PUL or plastic covers.
