Washing, Lanolizing Wool (A Picture Tutorial)

Finally, I need to wash and lanolize some wool. I figured I'd take you along for the short, but fun ride.

First, the kit!

Above you see the picture of my "wool kit." It sits on my kitchen counter at all times and only gets used sparingly as wool does not need to be washed or lanolized often.

I have the following:

• One bottle of Unscented Eucalan Wool Wash
• One mason jar (complete with lid)
• One hug a dub dub Wool Wash Soap bar (used only for spot cleaning)
  
• One tube of PureLan 100 Lanolin (though any lanolin will work)
  

Now, let us commence the washing of the wool.

First!

Fill your sink with enough tepid (think baby bath temperature) water to cover your wool item.

Second!

Squeeze out about a pea-sized amount of lanolin and put it in your mason jar.

Third!

Add the wool wash of your choice. I like Eucalan because it is a no-rinse wash. You can use baby soap for this part if you would like as the baby soap, or wool wash, serves only to break up the lanolin and help it distribute in the water better. It's only my preference to use Eucalan. The choice is yours.

I use about 1/2 tsp (sometimes less). If it's a serious wash I will use more. The recommended amount is 1 tsp per gallon (for Eucalan).

Fourth!

Fill the jar about half-way with HOT water. It doesn't have to be super hot, like boiling or anything, just hot enough to melt the lanolin. Your hottest tap water should suffice.

Fifth!

Shake until all of the lanolin is dissolved and the water is cloudy.

Sixth!

Pour the lanolin mixture into the tepid water in the sink. Don't worry, there shouldn't be enough hot water in your jar to seriously screw with the temperature of your waiting water.

Seventh!

Stir the water until it, too, is cloudy and a bit sudsy.

Eighth!

Add the wool item (in this case, a wool changing pad). Keep in mind that wool is naturally water resistant so it may seem to "float" and not absorb the water very well. This is normal.

Ninth!

Gently squeeze the item to encourage the fibers to absorb the wash and lanolin. If spots are needed to be removed, gently work the area. Vigorous scrubbing is usually unnecessary and can cause felting or damage to the wool. Gentle is best and usually all that is required.

Tenth!

Allow the item to soak for 15-30 minutes. Just enough time to nurse a hungry baby!

Eleventh!

Pull the plug and allow the item to act as a drain filter. This way it forces all of the wash and lanolin to pass through its fibers before escaping down the drain.

Twelfth!

Press out (do NOT wring) any excess water to the best of your ability.

Thirteenth!

Roll the item in a towel, pressing (not wringing) as you go.

Fourteen!

Lay flat to dry on a drying rack and allow 24-hours to dry before using.

And You're Done!