LittlePants
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I've been asked this so many times now, that I thought I'd post an explanation, as most people really can't believe that they do work! Anyway, here's how. Hope it helps some of you
Wool is absorbent, but absorbs very slowly. Because of the body heat of your baby, and the warmth of the wool, it also allows wet to evaporate, and this happens at the same rate as it absorbs. When evaporation takes place, the wet is turned into gasses. Most people think this will be steam, but in fact it's not. Steam is created when evaporated water condenses again, and this happens when the air containing the evaporated gasses, hits something cold, and there is enough wet in it to saturate the air. (This is called the dew point).
If you have a PUL wrap, the inside of the PUL will not let the wet get any further, so the evaporated gasses build up inside the PUL, and also because PUL has a cold feel, the saturated air will cause wet to condense again, and get absorbed back into the nappy. This doesn't happen with wool, because it is warm, and can breath, so "dew point" is never reached, and the gasses continue one their journey, unrestricted by the wool , baby clothes, bedding etc. It will finally condense possiby when it hits the window of your baby's room in winter, but basically the amount of wet in the air never gets high enough to reach dew point.
This evaporation also causes cooling in your baby, and that's why wool nappy covers keep your baby cooler than PUL.
Wool and lanolin are both self cleaning and anti-bacterial, and that's why wool nappy covers don't need washing unless they actually get grubby or soiled. They just need hanging up to air, and allow the lanolin in them to do its' work.
Re lanolising every few weeks, keeps the waterproofing and self cleaning properties in tip top condition. It is a simple procedure, although freshly lanolised wool will take a little longer to dry than just washing it.
Wool is absorbent, but absorbs very slowly. Because of the body heat of your baby, and the warmth of the wool, it also allows wet to evaporate, and this happens at the same rate as it absorbs. When evaporation takes place, the wet is turned into gasses. Most people think this will be steam, but in fact it's not. Steam is created when evaporated water condenses again, and this happens when the air containing the evaporated gasses, hits something cold, and there is enough wet in it to saturate the air. (This is called the dew point).
If you have a PUL wrap, the inside of the PUL will not let the wet get any further, so the evaporated gasses build up inside the PUL, and also because PUL has a cold feel, the saturated air will cause wet to condense again, and get absorbed back into the nappy. This doesn't happen with wool, because it is warm, and can breath, so "dew point" is never reached, and the gasses continue one their journey, unrestricted by the wool , baby clothes, bedding etc. It will finally condense possiby when it hits the window of your baby's room in winter, but basically the amount of wet in the air never gets high enough to reach dew point.
This evaporation also causes cooling in your baby, and that's why wool nappy covers keep your baby cooler than PUL.
Wool and lanolin are both self cleaning and anti-bacterial, and that's why wool nappy covers don't need washing unless they actually get grubby or soiled. They just need hanging up to air, and allow the lanolin in them to do its' work.
Re lanolising every few weeks, keeps the waterproofing and self cleaning properties in tip top condition. It is a simple procedure, although freshly lanolised wool will take a little longer to dry than just washing it.
)
