Wool Diaries: Intro to Wool

With Bumby pre-orders opening at Kissed by the Moon, I thought it would be the perfect time to talk about wool! At first glance, it's intimidating, but with a little research you will find it's really not that hard at all.


"It's just SO expensive!"

"Isn't it hot?"

"What do all those weird words and phrases mean? Lano? Knit? Interlock? Felted? Soakers? Longies? Shorties?"

"I don't use fitteds, there's no point in me using wool."

"I could never use wool... I wouldn't even know where to begin to care for it!"

Let's start by answering a few of these common questions and concerns.
"It's just SO expensive!"
Well... yes. It is. But, you know how cloth diapers maintain a decent resell value? Wool does even better. If you treat your wool properly (I'll get into how later) and take care of it, it will likely maintain a very high resell price. As in only losing 20% or less. That 20% is worth the use of that wool while you have it.

"Isn't it hot?"
Actually, no. Wool isn't hot. It is breathable. In the summer it helps against heat rash and has more airflow than traditional PUL covers. In the winter it helps retain heat so your little one doesn't get too chilly. And there are options! Soakers, longies, shorties. Depending on what you want to put your baby in and what the temperature is, you can pick!

"What do all those weird words and phrases mean? Lano? Knit? Interlock? Felted? Soakers? Longies? Shorties?"

Lano is wooly speak for lanolin. I could give you the long detailed explanation that is frankly kinda boring... but I won't. Basically sheep produce lanolin to make their wool water resistant. Since our squishy wool covers are no longer attached to these sheep, this is what we treat it with.

Knit and Interlock. Knit is what is sounds like, a knit fabric. You can see the knit basically. Interlock is intentionally felted wool.

Felted. Felting is when the wool fibers are matted together. On interlock this is obviously expected, on knit it isn't always desirable. Non-felted wool tends to be stretchier, however felted wool tends to be more water resistant.

Soakers, Longies, and Shorties. These are just basically what style of cover you are getting. A soaker is just a cover, pretty much diaper shaped. These generally cut below the tushie and show lots of thigh (if that's what you're into!). Longies and shorties are just what they sound like, long pants and shorts. These can vary in inseam depending on the brand. Everyone has their own personal preference where they like shorties and longies to fall. If longies are too long you can cuff them, this help extends how long your little one may be able to wear them; they can also be worn as flood pants. Shorties can go capri length to mid-thigh.

"I don't use fitteds, there's no point in me using wool."

It is actually a misconception that you *only* use wool with fitteds. A majority of wool users probably do use fitteds or flats/prefolds but it isn't necessary. You can lightly lanolize and use over a pocket or AIO diaper if you want. And of course you can use over flats or prefolds. If you have a Potty Learner who isn't completely there yet then wool might be a great option for you! Your little munchkin can wear big girl/big boy undies and your wool can hold in any accidents if necessary.

"I could never use wool... I wouldn't even know where to begin to care for it!"

For this question... please tune in tomorrow for a special edition of SP&tDQ! We are teaming up with Kissed by the Moon to bring you "How to Lanolize Wool"!