I just don't know about wool...

Me either! I didn't want to try wool because I have a slight reaction to it, it itches and I break out in a rash. My mom is even worse. Well many CD moms told me oh it's not the same, wool used for diapering is made differently. So I tried it. It sure isn't the same! I love it! No itching, no rash, not even on my neck! I had my mom feel it also and she was absolutely amazed, she didn't have any reaction either. There is a difference in how wool for diapers is made compared to traditional wool sweaters.

When purchasing wool items, bring a lot of cash. Wool is expensive, but it is well worth it. Do not be tempted to buy cheaper wool items unless you have read reviews that it is a good item or "brand". 4 years into cloth diapering, I have finally gotten used to wool, and it is because I finally have high quality items. I have sewn my own soakers and longies, and am in the process of knitting some shorties. Hand knit items are worth every penny. Knitting is very addictive, but also time consuming. LOL

Wool is great to use because it is much more breathable than PUL or Procare. It is a natural fiber. You may think wool will make your baby hot but it doesn't, it sort of "thermoregulates". It also can require less washing. But do be careful, in most cases you cannot wash wool with your other diapers and covers. Most wool requires hand washing with a gentle soap or Eucalan. This is a product made especially for wool with lanolin in it. Many of us use our favorite baby soap or wool wash bar to wash it.

How is wool turned into a diaper cover?

Some wool covers, also called soakers because wool can absorb up to 30% of its weight, are knitted. The fibers are spun (some WAHMs make handspun yarn) into yarn then that is used to knit soakers. There is also wool fabric available. You may often see "Shorties" or "Longies" which are wool shorts or pants. I've even seen skirts, or "skirties". These are clothing items that act as a diaper cover and are super cute!

Wool items are or are not felted, also known as fulled. The reason you have to be so careful with wool is because of the amount of felting it should or should not have. Wool will felt when it is agitated (such as in a regular wash cycle or the dryer) or shocked (dunked in hot or cold water). When this happens, the wool shrinks. Usually a small amount of felting is good for wool items, but too much is not (in most cases). Superfelted wool is very thick, the fibers are very tight because it has been felted as much as possible. If your wool item was not intended to be superfelted, you'll find that it now fits about 2 sizes smaller than it should. If it was intended to be Superfelted it can usually be washed with other diaper items.

If you overfelted your wool on accident, you can fix it to some extent. Soak it in room temperature water with a LOT of hair conditioner (half a bottle wouldn't be a bad thing). Gently massage the conditioner into it and let it soak. Remove it from the water and gently stretch it back to it's original shape.

How do I care for wool?

It should come with instructions, or check on the site you purchased it from. You will then know the best washing routine for that item. Wool does not need to be washed after each use, every week or 2 is fine. Unless it gets poop on it of course. Follow the washing instructions in the links above, and then lanolizing instructions. Lanolizing keeps the wool soft and water resistant.