Winter time is Wool time!

 ...as the days are becoming shorter, leaves are falling and temperatures slowly dropping, most of us are starting to feel a deep-seeded need for rugging and snuggling up - especially with our little ones.

Naturally, we stir towards anything warm and cozy rather than light and breathable. We tend to choose clothes that will keep our baby's body temperature stable without overheating, but still insulates and protect our precious little ones against the cold.

Which naturally brings us to Organic Merino Wool

To keep these and many other amazing abilities of organic merino wool, it does need to be looked after.

However, many tend to shy away from the idea of woolen clothes as they feel overwhelmed by the prospect of ‘looking after’ the wool and maintaining its beauty and quality without ruining it.

To take the scare factor out of woolen baby clothes, we have put together some useful tips on the care of woolen clothes, so you can enjoy this incredible fibre for many years to come.

1. How to wash woolen baby & kids clothes

Washing wool isn’t any more complicated than washing your hair as wool is hair too.

Everything our hair doesn’t like during a wash, neither does wool. For example,  using too hot water or too cold water for rinsing, an aggressive shampoo or extensive lathering and grating. If you treat natural wool just like you would treat your own hair, nothing can go wrong.

2. Do I have to wash a recently bought woolen baby outfit before using it for the first time? 

No, you don’t need to wash your woolen article before using it for the first time. Since all of our organic woolen baby and kids online clothing range are almost entirely free of chemicals and don’t contain any harmful or questionable substances to children, there’s no need to wash them first.

You can rug up your baby immediately and enjoy!

3. How often do I need to wash my babies woolen clothes?

The least possible - wool and water aren't the best of friends and therefore a wash should take place infrequently.

Wool is self-cleaning.

Wool fibres have an extraordinary surface that rejects dirt particles, as well as bad odors and sweat.

Airing is enough to remove the dirt particles from the surface and to make the woolen article hygienically clean. You may have witnessed the same effect when wearing a woolen jumper or ski underwear. Those articles only need to be aired overnight and are good as new the next day.

Does this sound like magic to you? Yes, it might be and it certainly works!

4. Can I wash my baby's woolen clothes in the washing machine?

Yes, as almost all modern washing machines have a wool wash program. However,  many are designed differently and can be programmed to automatically spin up to 1200 rotations during the wool setting - that’s way too much for wool.

Also, the temperature often varies between +/- 10c. A 30c wash can quickly turn into a 40c wash. Wool won’t hold out against such temperatures.

Therefore, make sure to change the options to a cold wash and a slow, gentle spin or no spinning at all!

5. How can I hand wash my woolen article in the best way?

Infrequently and with care! Here is a simple guideline:

• It’s best to hand wash the articles in your bathroom’s sink or a little tub as it has the right volume and an ergonomic working height.
• You also need a mild wool shampoo, a terry cloth and a small tub for the wet wool articles.
• Add lukewarm water into the sink - this means about 25c. You can use  a baby thermometer to estimate the right temperature.
• Add wool shampoo according to the dispense instruction on the package. Now you can put the dirty woolen article into the water.
• Heavy stains can be carefully treated with ox-gall soap beforehand, which is known as a natural stain remover. Slightly push the article carefully and repeat the process a few times - don't wring or rub it, simply push it a few times, max. 1-2 minutes, that’s all.
• Remove the woolen article from the washing water and rinse it carefully with fresh water at the same temperature (also 25c, nothing colder). To remove the rinse water from the article, squeeze it with utmost care.
• Woolen articles mustn’t dry in a hanging position as the shape can become distorted, instead dry in a flat position. A drying rack will be perfect.
• Pull the wet article carefully in shape and place it on the terry cloth ready to dry. Don’t dry your woolen article placed on a heating or in strong sunlight. This will harm the fibres. A shady, well ventilated place is perfect.

6. Which wool detergent am I allowed to use for my organic unisex baby clothes?

We highly recommend a wool shampoo. It is perfectly adjusted to the care of natural wool articles, strengthening and protecting fabrics such as lace, merino and silk. It is suitable for hand or machine washing in top or front loaders.

7. What is ox-gall soap?

Ox-gall soap is a natural stain remover that  should only be applied to the stained area as it can also remove the article’s colour. Therefore, we recommend to test the soap on a barely visible spot before removing the desired stain.

The article must be dry before applying the ox-gall soap to the stain with your finger. Softly rub the soap into the fibres and allow to briefly absorb before washing it following the guidelines above.

Note that Ox-gall soap can burn your eyes and mucous membranes, therefore, must be kept out of children’s reach.

8. Help! My husband/ my grandma tried to help and washed the woolen baby clothes that I just recently bought online in the washing machine at 60c by mistake….

Now, the woolen article has shrunk by two sizes and is totally matted.

What can I do?

Matting and shrinking is a chemical and physical process that cannot be reversed. Unfortunately, the article is destroyed. Your only option will be to buy a new one.

Woolen articles with a minor shrinking can be pulled carefully into shape again, in a water bath at 25c. Take care not to damage the stitches and allow the article to dry on a hanger. 

This method often helps rescue a woolen baby outfit that has shrunk slightly.

We hope that you enjoy the upcoming cold season and stay perfectly rugged up.

If you are still looking for some inspiration on how to get your baby boy or girl snug as a bug for the cooler months, here are some ideas.

Verena

Elves in the Wardrobe

What is ORGANIC Merino wool? 

Most of us know about certified organic cotton for baby & childrens clothes but very little about certified organic Merino wool.

Let's take a look behind the scenes of our latest Elves in the Wardrobe addition German Eco fashion label disana and learn about the strict process of GOTS certified for organic Merino wool sheep farming.

Buying organic baby & kids clothes is beneficial for a number of reasons. Garments made from organic cotton are soft, hypoallergenic and free of any nasty chemicals. When it comes to cleaning these garments, it’s easy to feel apprehensive about damaging the soft fibers. If you’re not sure where to start, have a look through our Elves in the Wardrobe guide to washing and caring for organic baby & kids clothes clothes:

How to wash and dry organic baby & kids clothes safely

Conventional textiles are treated with chemicals to prevent shrinkage. As organic baby clothes are chemical-free, we’d suggest washing on a low heat to keep the shape. A 40°C cycle will remove stains and also save energy, which is good for the environment.

Avoid powerful washing machine detergents, as they are packed with harmful chemicals. Not only are these bad for your little ones; they’ll also degrade the fibres and dyes in your organic baby & kids clothes. Look for a mild, Eco-friendly washing detergent. If you previously used a non-Eco detergent, put your empty washing machine through a rinse cycle before washing organic garments.

Drying organic baby clothes at a high temperature will also lead to shrinkage, so air dry where possible. If you’re in a rush, run your tumble dryer on an air cycle which uses no heat. Fair Trade children’s clothes shouldn’t cost the earth, so making your washing and drying routine more Eco-friendly is good for everyone.

Removing tough stains using Eco-friendly methods

When organic baby or kids clothes become stained, it’s easy to panic. You don’t want to use harsh chemicals to remove the stains, so how should you do it? There are a few tricks to Eco-friendly stain remover, depending on the nature of the stain.

For food and drink stains, such as tomato sauce, try pouring boiling water over the stain. Don’t soak the whole garment, because this could lead to shrinkage.

If that doesn’t work, or if the stain is oil-based, try applying baking powder to the stain. Let it absorb into the fabric, then brush the stain gently with an old toothbrush. Once the stain is dry, apply some Eco friendly dish soap and let it soak in, before placing the garment in a bowl of lukewarm water. 

Putting the garment through the washing machine afterwards should completely remove the stain. If it doesn’t, repeat the process until the stain disappears. For the toughest stains, look out for Eco friendly stain removal liquid that is suitable for organic cotton.

Can I wash organic cotton baby & kids clothes with other items? 

Non-organic clothing is made with pesticides that are linked to impaired brain development in foetuses and infants. As a result, we advise that you wash organic baby & kids clothes separately, or with other organic garments. The chemical residue from non-organic cotton can jeopardize organic baby clothes. If you’re worried about wasting water by doing lots of smaller washes, many washing machines have a “reduced load” option that you could use. Hand-washing by using an Eco-friendly detergent is another choice for those times when you are between washes.

Caring for organic cotton baby & kids clothes makes them last longer and ensures they remain safe for your little ones. Getting into a routine of harm-free washing will be better for you, your baby and the planet. The benefits of buying ethical children’s clothes shouldn’t stop when it comes to washing time! 

Reducing your baby’s & children's exposure to harmful chemicals is precisely why Elves in the Wardrobe exists. To find the perfect clothing for gentle skin, browse our range of soft organic baby & kids clothes.

Looking for a healthy organic way to live and eat has never been easier.

I still remember being in my late teens and going with my family to visit my older brother who had just started an apprenticeship and worked part time in a vegetarian restaurant!I remember the feeling of the world opening up to reveal the secret world of yummy organic goodness WITHOUT MEAT!!

I think all my family members were struggling greatly and making fun of the lack of meat in their meals. Everyone except me! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.

Fast forward 25 years and two children later the world has become so much more transparent and open to get inspiration, ideas and of course vegan recipes for my family. The abundance of healthy organic lifestyle ideas, conscious parenting and of course ingenious recipes still amazes me.

Every time I feel stuck in any of the above noted areas, I just sit down for 10 minutes in front of the computer and inspiration strikes and life becomes a bit easier again.

Working with one of mum’s greatest daily challenges, eating habits of our shorter and cuter counterparts, can feel frustrating and disheartening. Because kids are picky and they are all different. While one asks for seconds at the same time as liking the last crumbs of the plate, the other rolls the eyes up in disapproval and disgust.

But do not despair.

Today I would love to share with you my sources of inspiration for simple scrumptious vegan recipes that even the kiddos will be hollering about (hopefully all of them at the same time). They’re free of crazy amounts of added sugar and have zip zilch zero funky chemicals and additives.

Raising happy healthy children and feeding your offspring with wholesome ingredients is going hand in and. Healthy organic living that starts at a young age, and the food that they consume will set them up for top-notch growing.

Enjoy our Elves in the Wardrobe vegan children recipe food guide.

Happy cooking!

Crispy Baked Tofu Fingers

Creamy Vegan Mac n’ Cheese via Vegan Yummies

4-Ingredient Zucchini Tater Tots via She Likes Food

Apple Oatmeal Bars

Vegan Carrot Dogs with Toppings 4 Ways via Inspiralized

Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream via The Lemon Bowl

Vegan Broccoli Cheeze Chickpea Burgers

Vegan Pepperoni Pizza via Contentedness Cooking

Hot Chocolate Breakfast Smoothie via Running with Spoons

Three-Ingredient Marble Rice Krispie Treats via The Big Man’s World

Summer Vegetable Lasagna Rolls

Gluten Free Homemade Vegan Veggie Burgers via Cotter Crunch

Comforting No Meat Balls via Happy Healthy Mama

Vegan Roasted Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese via Making Thyme for Health

Grilled Banana Nutella Sandwich via Healthy Nibbles and Bits

Chocolate Hummus Cookie Sandwiches

Chocolate Banana Bread Sushi Rolls via Naive Cook Cooks

Vegan Meat Pasta Sauce via One Ingredient Chef

Vegan Ice Cream Sandwiches via Keepin it Kind

Vegan Buffalo Patties with Avocado Dip via Food Faith Fitness

Vegan Chocolate Freezer Fudge via Everyday Maven

Asian Peanut Noodles

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Energy Bites via Namely Marly

Baked Spaghetti with Kale, Mushrooms, and Tofu Ricotta