Fear not! Wool care is simple, easy, and (dare I say it?) FUN!!!
As with any brand of wool wash, when washing dyed wool, check for colorfastness before using. Fragrance oils are solvent based and as such are not recommended for dyed wool.
Organic Wool Wash Bar:
First, rinse your wool with lukewarm water. You may rub the bar GENTLY on any stains before washing. Plug the drain and run tepid water over the bar into your sink, washing machine, or wash-bucket. If you like bubbles (not necessary, but FUN!), rub the bar between your hands to create a lather. The water will appear milky and will have a film on the top as it cools...that's the lanolin. Place your wool, turned inside-out into the wash water. Soak, swirl, or gently swish your wool cover or soaker in the water and let it rest as long as you like. Drain the water through the wool so the lanolin is neatly deposited on the fibers. Rinse in cool water.
Store the bar in a cool, dry place. (NOT in a Ziploc on top of your dryer!) I recommend using some sort of dish or rack that will allow air to circulate around the bar. When you use a bar of soap that is allowed to completely dry between uses, you prolong the life of the soap and eliminate waste. We like to cut our bars in fourths and rotate between them, to allow each one to dry completely between uses. Do not leave the bar in the wash water to soak with the wool or allow it to be agitated in the washing machine. It will disappear and you will have VERY sticky wool!
Organic Liquid Wool Wash:
First, rinse your wool with lukewarm water. You may apply the liquid wool wash directly to stains before washing. Plug the drain and run tepid water into your sink, washing machine, or wash bucket and add about a teaspoon of wool wash per quart of water per garment. The water will appear milky and will have a film on the top as it cools...that's the lanolin. Place your wool, turned inside-out into the wash water. Soak, swirl, or gently swish your wool cover or soaker in the water and let it rest as long as you like. Drain the water through the wool so the lanolin is neatly deposited on the fibers. Rinse in cool water.
Store the bottle upright in a cool, dry place with the disc cap completely closed. Be sure the inside of the cap is clean. Caked up soap will prevent the cap from clicking entirely shut and may cause leaking or evaporation of product. Because we don't use chemical emulsifiers or dispersants, the lanolin, the fragrance or essential oils, and the insoluble soap solids may settle or separate after periods of unuse. Shake gently to redistribute before use.
Organic Lanolin Balm, Lanolin Balm, Organic Lanolin, Liquid Lanolin:
When your wool needs to be lanolized, simply scoop out a pea-sized dollop of the balm or lanolin and spread it over your palms. (Yes, I've dry-lanolized with all of these products!) Gently pat it into the inside of your dry wool and repeat on the outside of the cover or soaker. DONE! If you prefer wet-lanolizing, melt a pea-sized dollop of the balm in hot water and add it to a sink-full of luke-warm water. We do not recommend using baby shampoo or other mild detergents to emulsify the lanolin when you wash. By rendering the lanolin water-soluble, you've just defeated the purpose of lanolizing: creating a barrier to moisture. Let the wool soak in the water as long as it is warm. Let the water drain through the wool when you empty the sink, rather than just allowing the lanolin to be sucked down the drain.
Store lanolin tins and bottles upright in a cool, dry place with the lids firmly closed.
No-Clump Lanolin Spray:
When your wool needs to be lanolized, from a distance of about 12 inches (the spray has a pretty wide swath), spray front and back, inside and outside of the cover. 2-4 puffs each side should suffice, depending on the condition and thickness of your wool and your own personal preferences. Gently pat the oils into the wool. You may use the lanolin spray on wet freshly washed wool but keep in mind that the lanolin and conditioning oils will seal in the water and add to the dry-time.
Everytime you use the spray, pump using one stong, swift motion, pushing the button all the way down and allowing it to return all the way back up before pumping again. NO wimpy spraying! It is necessary to do this with viscous liquids such as your lanolin spray. This will allow the pump to fully prime itself for each use and prevent squirting and dribbling. Turn the bottle or shake gently before use, especially if the bottle has been at rest for extended periods. The ingredients will settle by weight, and with the sticky lanolin at the bottom, this can create trouble with the sprayers if the thinner ingredients are not properly dispersed.
Store upright in a cool, dry place with the lid on and the spray mist cap screwed tight.
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