https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 05 May 2026 19:17:22 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2146388 Wed, 30 Sep 2020 00:01:03 +0000 Anonymous 2146388@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Glad you had some successes with it! I'll stick to cotton- it never itches </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2146305 Tue, 29 Sep 2020 13:42:28 +0000 Janet 2146305@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting! I never thought of this. </p> <p>I have a beautiful but extremely scratchy wool blanket I bought in Scotland almost 30 years ago, that I can’t bear to part with for sentimental reasons (it’s even lavender/purple, a color I don’t connect much with anymore, but there are touches of it in our guest room so it would be nice to use there). It’s not a huge blanket — more of a throw. I wonder if one of these methods/products could work for it. It’s never been washed and very rarely used </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2146300 Tue, 29 Sep 2020 13:20:35 +0000 SarahD8 2146300@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow! So cool to read about your experiments and the results. I’m so happy that this process improved these garments for you! Especially excited that it is helping give new life to vintage items. Thanks for sharing this helpful information.</p> <p>I did chuckle a bit at your mention of Lansinoh. My, that’s a blast from my breastfeeding past! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2146296 Tue, 29 Sep 2020 12:45:41 +0000 Glory 2146296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks so much. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2146071 Sun, 27 Sep 2020 15:09:38 +0000 Angie 2146071@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hereby crown you Queen Wardrobe Chemist :)</p> <p>Thank you! Very helpful.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2146067 Sun, 27 Sep 2020 14:40:47 +0000 Suz 2146067@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting and helpful -- thank you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2146062 Sun, 27 Sep 2020 14:04:00 +0000 Minaminu 2146062@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting ! I am glad that it provided an improvement to those knits! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2146050 Sun, 27 Sep 2020 08:11:49 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2146050@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for submitting the science experiment reports. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2146048 Sun, 27 Sep 2020 06:33:07 +0000 Gigi 2146048@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for the thorough update! So interesting. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2146017 Sat, 26 Sep 2020 21:31:41 +0000 JAileen 2146017@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting! &nbsp;I have a very scratchy lambswool sweater that I got last year. &nbsp;It is too itchy to wear, so I might try this. &nbsp;<div><div><br /></div><div>Fully fashioned means there are increases and decreases instead of just cutting knit fabric. &nbsp;</div></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2146015 Sat, 26 Sep 2020 20:52:50 +0000 nemosmom 2146015@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>Thank you everyone for your responses! I experimented with some old sweaters, with mixed results. Here are the processes, outcomes, and my next steps:<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>What I used:</b></div><div>Lansinoh 100% lanolin, dissolved in a small bowl of hot (boiling) water.<br />It was inexpensive and available locally. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.yookiwool.com/blogs/wool-care/lanolizing-wool-covers">How I used it</a>:</b></div><div>Pre-washed three sweaters in a sink of tepid water, with Soak brand wash. Mixed dissolved lanolin into the water, soaked for 20 minutes, squeezed out the water, (did not rinse), rolled sweaters in towel, rack dried ~2days.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sweater #1:&nbsp; </b>Thrifted/vintage lambswool pullover. Started out scratchy and stiff, like a scouring pad - not much 'drape' or shape. After the soaking, it is *much* softer, and has more give. It is more of a bouncy/plush feeling than before. I may try another soak and see if it loosens up any more, but it's perfectly wearable as-is. It will never feel like cashmere, but anything is an improvement...<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sweater #2: &nbsp;</b> Thrifted/vintage grandpa cardigan. 100% mystery wool (tag says 100% pure new wool, hand frame knitted, fully fashioned. No idea what that means). Had been dry cleaned after purchase, but had a weird smell and pokey threads.&nbsp; Water was disgustingly dirty after THREE washes.&nbsp; I washed it a fourth time, then added the lanolin.&nbsp; The weird smell was gone, threads were still pokey, but color seemed... brighter(?).&nbsp; I took a fabric shaver to it to try to help with the threads. I am not 100% satisfied with this, so I may try a lanolin based wash (like Unicorn or Euclan) and see if I get better results.</p> <p> </div><div><b>Sweater #3: </b>Kuhl merino wool hoodie, in fun shade of Kermit-the-frog green, bought in 2003. This was my go-to layer under my Barbour jacket for YEARS until DH washed and dried it in a load of towels :D</p> <p>I decided to try to <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiQjofe1ofsAhVVOs0KHWoXCZgQFjABegQICxAF&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apartmenttherapy.com%2Fhow-to-unshrink-a-sweater-254457&amp;usg=AOvVaw0XRuoA47xy1-OflXt0RdPp">re-block</a> it to see if I could gain any size back.&nbsp; After the first soak, I didn't get MUCH size out of it, so I repeated the process, and this time used two caps of plant-based fabric softener that I had in the cabinet. I was able to regain MORE size with the fabric softener, but it still feels a bit smaller than it did when I used to wear it. Or maybe I am bigger (entirely possible...)&nbsp; The hoodie will work as an open layer under a jacket, but it is too snug to love it as a top layer.&nbsp; If I decide to order a lanolin wash, I may give re-blocking another shot, but it's fine for now.</p> <p></div><div><br /></div><div>I wish I had taken before/after pics, but I had already started soaking things by the time I thought to do it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, hope this was helpful!&nbsp; Good luck if you try it, and let me know how it goes for you!<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145946 Sat, 26 Sep 2020 01:38:46 +0000 Jenni NZ 2145946@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The thing is that lanolin is wool fat, so they sort of go together. I know this because when prescribing certain skin moisturising lotions, I can actually search on “wool fat” in the prescribing software if I forget which brand is subsidised! Strange but true. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145834 Fri, 25 Sep 2020 12:56:28 +0000 LaPed 2145834@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like Chiara, I cloth diapered my kid and would lanolinize the wool covers periodically to make them more water-resistant.</p> <p>I've tried the conditioner bath trick to make wooly things softer, but I've had better luck with Eucalan, the wool wash that contains some lanolin. It does a nice job removing dirt and oils while also softening the fibers as Beth describes. You could also try The Laundress Wool &amp; Cashmere Shampoo, or Unicorn Fibre Wash and Fibre Rinse. My mother is a spinner and knitter and recommends the Unicorn products.&nbsp; <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.unicornclean.com/fibre">https://www.unicornclean.com/fibre</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145827 Fri, 25 Sep 2020 12:45:25 +0000 Diana 2145827@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Before you do this you should make sure you and your son are ok with the smell of lanolin. It’s what gives rustic wool that faint “sheepy” smell. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145640 Thu, 24 Sep 2020 11:34:22 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2145640@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Star. I'll let you know how it turns out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145637 Thu, 24 Sep 2020 11:28:50 +0000 Star (Lise) 2145637@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FI, I personally have not tried the stretching but there is quite a few instructive posts on the internet about this.&nbsp; I believe you soak the item for a long tie and then pull and re-shape.&nbsp; Rather google and get the instructions directly.&nbsp; Good luck and let us know if it really works.&nbsp; I have a wool jersey that is getting smaller with each was and I need to try something. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145636 Thu, 24 Sep 2020 11:24:44 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2145636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>TG and Star, thanks for mentioning the stretching--maybe there is hope for my son's sweater that was shrunken in the dryer! Are there any special instructions beyond wash the sweater with the conditioner and then don't dry it? What ingredients need to be in the conditioner? Any to avoid?<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And nemesmom, thanks for bringing the topic up! I have a beavertail blanket that was washed in soap after a flood years ago. I haven't been able to give it up, for sentimental reasons, but now it is used as a cover for furniture in storage/while moving, because it is much too scratchy for anything else. I wonder if it could be restored this way. <br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145628 Thu, 24 Sep 2020 10:38:55 +0000 lyn67 2145628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It makes sense to me..:-) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145626 Thu, 24 Sep 2020 09:55:26 +0000 Chiara 2145626@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used cloth nappies with my son, and for night he had a wool nappy cover which I treated with lanolin every few months. I’m not sure that it softened the wool, but it helped to ensure that the wool did not let moisture from the nappy wick onto pyjamas, sheets and so on. So for that purpose, it was about the waterproofing aspect. It was very effective.<br /> I used to dissolve about a teaspoon of lanolin in boiling water, then add that to warm water, and dip the nappy cover in, let it sit for a bit, then hung it out to dry. Drying was not quick (since you didn’t spin or wring the wool after dipping it). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145523 Wed, 23 Sep 2020 19:32:30 +0000 citygirldc 2145523@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmm this might come in handy with my Icelandic sweater that I got last November. Wool is a bit scratchy and would love to soften my sweater up a bit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145518 Wed, 23 Sep 2020 19:08:47 +0000 Helena 2145518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm so fascinated by this! I've used conditioner to stretch sweaters and now that I think of it, they really were softer afterwards. Can't wait to hear how this goes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145504 Wed, 23 Sep 2020 18:13:30 +0000 Angie 2145504@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And you learn something new each day..... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145467 Wed, 23 Sep 2020 13:16:37 +0000 Star (Lise) 2145467@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hair conditioner can be used to stretch back woolen garments that have shrunk so be careful not to leave it on for too long. It relaxes the fibres. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145389 Tue, 22 Sep 2020 18:16:05 +0000 nemosmom 2145389@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Hmmm... I had not thought to try hair conditioner (wool is hair, after all). <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe I will experiment on an old piece and see what happens....</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks, everyone! I will report back.<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145315 Tue, 22 Sep 2020 13:01:22 +0000 Zibbets 2145315@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a natural wool sweater that was knitted from wool that wasn't dyed or treated to strip away all of the lanolin. It's a great sweater - warm as can be, it's like wearing the whole sheep - but not terribly soft. I don't know about the lanolin wash, but I doubt you could get much more lanolin on a sweater than this one has without it being greasy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145311 Tue, 22 Sep 2020 12:26:52 +0000 Kathie 2145311@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I use a wool wash with lanolin for my hand knits that are made with non-“superwash” wool. But not for those that are made with a fine-gauge, washable yarn. Those yarns are treated (coated or de-scaled), so I’m not sure how much of a difference it would make. That said, I don’t think it would hurt to try it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145302 Tue, 22 Sep 2020 11:41:01 +0000 Beth 2145302@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I believe Eucalan wool wash includes lanolin in their ingredients just for this reason. My wool and cashmere sweaters are much softer and fluffier when I use it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145301 Tue, 22 Sep 2020 11:05:24 +0000 Star (Lise) 2145301@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I believe lanolin makes a coating (water/dirt resistant) rather than softening.&nbsp; But I have no hands-on experience with this. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145225 Mon, 21 Sep 2020 23:12:25 +0000 Vildy 2145225@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Until someone answers the lanolin question, I'll share that I once had a thick ultra-warm sweater that was as rough and scratchy as Brillo.&nbsp;<br />I read that you could wash with creme rinse.&nbsp; Don't remember anymore the brand but goopy for sure.&nbsp; Put a healthy amount in the washer and the thing came out soft and wearable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lanolinizing-sweaters#post-2145221 Mon, 21 Sep 2020 22:53:02 +0000 nemosmom 2145221@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi fabbers!</p> <p>I recently read about a DIY process to make sweaters softer that involves soaking them in lanolin or a lanolin-rich wash. Apparently, this is popular with knitters, lovers of vintage knitwear, and parents who use wool diaper covers...</p> <p>Has anyone heard of this? Have you tried it? How did you do it?  And, does it work? </p>