1. run the water til it's hot, so the hot water is right at the tap. Then rub some lansinoh (like a 1/4" line) on the bottom of the sink, then add the hot water until it covers the lanolin. Let the lanolin melt a bit, then add cool or lukewarm water til the sink is full. The goal is to have a sink full of room temp. water, then you can plunge the soaker/cover in a few time, then let it soak for at least a half hour. Longer is fine.
2. (I like this method better) Take a cup and put a quarter inch line of lansinoh at the bottom. Fill with very hot water. Add a nickel size glob of shampoo (baby shampoo is suggested. i use a natural tea tree oil shampoo) and mix well. Add this mixture to a sinkful o lukewarm water, them dunk the soaker and allow to soak for a half hour or more.
When it's done soaking, you should roll in in a towel to get the excess moisture out then lay it flat to dry. Good luck!
oh, and just do it as often as feels necessary. You'll know when they start to seem less waterproof. Also, if they start smelling like pee it's a good sign, since the antimicrobial properties of the lanolin keep the wool from smelling. If it holds the smell, it's probably time to lanolize.
be careful that you dont accidentally felt your soakers though, i know alot of mamas find that out the hard way... i also recall being told that even warmish water can felt wool...
but i dont do soakers...yet :D
i think it lasts a month...you can google it
You can buy solid wool soap to wash them with which I love. I get mine at valor-kids.com
or wash it with baby shampoo. Then melt a bit of lanolin in some water in the microwave. Let the cover soak it up for a bit. Then lay flat to dry.
there are two ways that I know of.
1. run the water til it's hot, so the hot water is right at the tap. Then rub some lansinoh (like a 1/4" line) on the bottom of the sink, then add the hot water until it covers the lanolin. Let the lanolin melt a bit, then add cool or lukewarm water til the sink is full. The goal is to have a sink full of room temp. water, then you can plunge the soaker/cover in a few time, then let it soak for at least a half hour. Longer is fine.
2. (I like this method better) Take a cup and put a quarter inch line of lansinoh at the bottom. Fill with very hot water. Add a nickel size glob of shampoo (baby shampoo is suggested. i use a natural tea tree oil shampoo) and mix well. Add this mixture to a sinkful o lukewarm water, them dunk the soaker and allow to soak for a half hour or more.
When it's done soaking, you should roll in in a towel to get the excess moisture out then lay it flat to dry. Good luck!
oh, and just do it as often as feels necessary. You'll know when they start to seem less waterproof. Also, if they start smelling like pee it's a good sign, since the antimicrobial properties of the lanolin keep the wool from smelling. If it holds the smell, it's probably time to lanolize.
be careful that you dont accidentally felt your soakers though, i know alot of mamas find that out the hard way... i also recall being told that even warmish water can felt wool...
but i dont do soakers...yet :D
and I have heard that water that is too cold will also shrink it.
I use felted wool covers rather than knit soakers because they are much easier to deal with.