Wool diaper covers were used for centuries to keep babies dry and comfortable. Then rubber and plastic pants were invented and wool was abandoned as old-fashioned and messy. Fast forward a few decades and you'll find cloth diapering moms and dads in the know using wool diaper covers to keep their babies dry. Why do they choose wool?

Wool is a natural, renewable resource. Sheared from sheep in the spring after it has done its job keeping the sheep warm all winter, wool is biodegradable and can be easy on the environment depending on how the sheep are raised. Because wool grows continually, like hair, the sheep is not harmed in the process of harvesting wool.

Wool has a number of unique properties that make it perfect for diaper covers. Wool is extremely flexible and resilient. Wool fibers can bend 20,000 times or more before breaking. Compare this with just a few thousand times for cotton and you get some idea how long a well made wool diaper cover will last. In fact, properly cared for wool diaper covers will still be working hard for your children's children.

Wool is not hot, as many people believe. Instead, wool is the perfect climatre control. Because wool is breathable, wool diaper covers keep your baby warm in winter and cool in summer. If you want to test this theory, wrap one of your hands in a synthetic diaper cover and one in a wool cover on a hot day. Pretty soon one of your hands will be hot and sweaty, while the wool covered hand will still be comfortable.

Another remarkable aspect of wool is the ability to absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture before it feels damp. Coupled with the ability to let moisture evaporate, your wool covers will allow a lot of moisture to evaporate while it is still on your baby. This is especially helpful at night to keep your baby dry all night. Many parents swear that a hemp diaper and wool cover are the only way they can keep their heavy-wetting babies dry overnight.

The lanolin in wool will react with urine to create a kind of mild soap. This keeps your wool diaper cover smelling fresh for a week or more at a time, reducing your washing time. Reapplying lanolin (called lanolizing) every few washes will keep your covers functioning well and smelling great. You can relanolize your covers easily using liquid solid or spray lanolin. Click here to learn how to lanolize a wool cover.



You can find wool covers at Little for Now.

You can find wool soap and lanolin at Sheepish Grins.