Wool Washing Day

Last night I washed almost all the wool.  At this point I'm using the bathtub instead of the sink cuz there is just that much.  I wash with baby bath wash.  I scrub dirty parts and knead the rest like bread. Then soak it a bit.

Next I lanolized.  I emulsify the lanolin in a pop bottle with hot water and a drop if baby wash.  Add that to the tub, add lukewarm water and let them all soak.  Then hubby and I squeezed out the water, shook out the water.  The shaking step had us laughing as plenty of water came out soaking us, making us smell like wet sheep.  Then we rolled them in towels and hung to dry. 

They start out hanging in the bathroom.  But one by one they go in the back of a fan.  I turned the fan of this morning with two dry.  I need to dry the rest bit its so cold.  I need to decide which room will be made colder by the fan.  
In the pic below the fan is in the hallway only for the sake of the pic.  It's grey and cold outside and pics are looking dark.

Clothing your CD babe - longies, shorties, skirties

Clothing your cloth diapered little one is different then clothing a disposable diapered baby.  This is because CD babes have fluffy bums and disposable babes have increasingly trim bums.  As disposable bums get trimmer commercial clothing for babes and toddlers get trimmer too making it much harder to clothe a CD babe in commercial clothing then it was when I had my older children.  Thankfully as cloth diapering gets more popular (particularly in the states, cuz they have a much bigger population then there is here in Canada) more options come along for CD families. 

Today I am going to talk about longies, shorties and skirties.  Traditionally these are wool,  but they can also be water resistant fleece.  They can be knit, crocheted, sewn from yardage, upcycled or purchased (particularly online). 

These are a brilliant option that is both a diaper cover and clothing or pj's all in one piece!  The are adorable too.  Longies are wool or fleece pants.  Shorties are wool or fleece shorts.  Skirties are longies or shorties (or a soaker cover) with a skirt attached. 

Wool is an amazing textile for clothing in that it is temperature regulating.  So they are great whatever the weather.  They can be more then just pants and shorts too.  Overalls, jumpers and old school rompers are all possible in wool and fleece.  You can also make or buy wool or fleece sleep bags, cocoons and themed outfits.  The other great thing is no worries about damp clothes from pul leaks, the clothing is the diaper cover, and wool is known for its bullet proof leak protection .  Allergic to wool? You'll love soft cuddly fleece.

Baby might not be able to wear those skinny jeans like the baby down the street but the adorable options will have your neighbours oohing over your fluff bum and fluff bum clothing.    Stay tuned for more adorable options in future posts.

Diaper Covers

It actually just occurred to me today that we haven't discussed diaper covers!  In the modern cloth diaper world where pockets and aio's are a popular choice you might not be surprised but I'm a wool lover lol, I love my covers. 

Plastic pants:
This is what people used in the 70's and 80's if grandma didn't knit.  They have zero breathability and according to my mom (cuz grandma only knitted socks lol),  they often left marks on the legs.  They are made of plastic and pull on.  Gerber still makes and sells these (I don't know why). They are hand washed and not that durable.  Don't use them they are not good for baby's bum. 

PUL
Polyurethane fabric of some breathability but its waterproof. It wears out over time but as a cover only it could last 3 kids.  They are generally made as a wrap style cover.  A few babies are sensitive to either the synthetic fabric or the lack of breathability.  Sometimes they wick around the legs.  They are washable and wipeable.  They need to be washed and dried on a low heat.  They do up with snaps or Velcro.  Flips are technically a pul cover. 

TPU
These are a treated taffeta much like pul but more breathable.  The only difference between these and pul is the breathability and lack of stretch  so don't buy os, buy sized and forget about it for a chunky monkey

Wool
Sorry if I gush, I love it lol.  Wool is breathable, antimicrobial, somewhat self cleaning, easy to care for (you have to try to believe me).  It is made of 80-100% wool.  It can be knitted or sewn or upcycled.  It will last and last and pass down to your grandkids.  Some are even washable and dryable, others are hand wash and hang to dry only unless you felt (shrink by washing).  Felting is optional.  Cashmere is cuddly soft.  They come in soakers (pull ons with cuffs), wraps, longies (wool pants double as cover and clothes), shorties (wool shorts double as cover and clothed and skirties (all of the above but with skirt attached).  They are so natural people will call you crunchy lol.  They are bullet proof-not-gonna-leak-all-night (especially if paired with HF).  Unfelted varieties are stretchy.  They can be pricy unless you upcycle from wool sweaters. Some like a second layer particularly in the wet zone. Some people are allergic to wool though.  I have a wool addiction. 

Fleece covers
Made if water resistant poly fleece (see fabric reference page).  They are as breathable as wool.  They can get compression leaks and so ideal for home.  They come in all the same styles as wool.  It is affordable (windpro is pricey but the Best). They can be washed and dried.  They are stretchy.  Durable (put some pilling).  Will last 3-4 kids.  Soft and cuddly.  Also used as PJ pants to help with night diapering.  Sine like a 2nd especially in wet zone.  As a wrap style cover they can make your diaper act like an HF.