How best to waterproof wool?

[Zingmo]

Against my better judgement have become the guardian of a donkey jacket. I was wondering what would be the best way to give it some water repellent qualities. I have some greenland wax, would that work on such a fabric? I am not trying to make it proof to tropical downpours, but if I am caught in a shower, I would like it to perform better than blotting paper!

Z

 

[Matt.S]

Lanolin is supposed to improve the water repellancy of wool garments. I expect the tightness of the weave will also affect its performance.

 

[drewdunnrespect]

i have got say i didnt think you needed to really cos wool can suposedly hold 80% of its body weight in water before if get through the other side if that makes sense

but then again i am quite prone to spouting horlick so please correct me if i am wrong

 

[Jus_like_that]

when I wash my wool jumpers i put a bit of baby oil in after they've been washed and put it on a quick rinse, makes them itch less and its meant to make them a bit more water repellent. not sure if its true but they do itch less!

 

[Laurentius]

I used to own an old naval pea coat, it was very warm and stood up to everything but the worst downpours as it was.

If I recall the old donkey jackets, don't they have a waterproof section over the shoulders, the part that is likely to get the wettest. They were intended for hard use and long periods of time spent outdoors without any additional treatment

 

[techworm]

when I wash my wool jumpers i put a bit of baby oil in after they've been washed and put it on a quick rinse, makes them itch less and its meant to make them a bit more water repellent. not sure if its true but they do itch less!

how much baby oil do you put in per garment?

 

[Paul_B]

I used to have an untreated wool sweater that was a dense knit and still had a lot of the natural oils and lanolin from the original fleece. It was probably the best full on winter softshell I ever had. It shed rain, drizzle, sleet and snow for many hours and wind never got through until I was being blown over.

Anyway, most wool coats should still offer some repellancy anyway.

 

[gregorach]

Do you really need to? I was out in the rain for quite a while on Monday in a Pendelton wool shirt, and while it was damp on the outside, it never soaked through. Give it a try first and see how you go.

 

[FGYT]

used to use TX 10 by Nikwax i think they have lots of different washes now for different materials

ATB

Duncan

 

[Jus_like_that]

how much baby oil do you put in per garment?

About a table spoon or so thats for 2 jumpers, just something my gran has always done.

 

[Jus_like_that]

used to use TX 10 by Nikwax i think they have lots of different washes now for different materials

ATB

Duncan

can you get that in millets and places like that? I might give that a go!

 

[FGYT]

can you get that in millets and places like that? I might give that a go!

probably its been decades since i looked for it or have been in that sort of place

check you can comply with the washing instructions first tho

forthe right stuff etc
http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/activity/index.php?activity=OUTDOORS&item=CLOTHING

 

[Andy2112]

can you get that in millets and places like that? I might give that a go!

Yes you can mate, but hold fire, i'll send you a sachet good enough for 5 garments to be washed in. I think i still have your addy somewhere.

 

[Jus_like_that]

cheers me'old! thanks very much!!!

 

[Andy2112]

cheers me'old! thanks very much!!!

favour for a favour mate. I'll check to see if i definately have it thought first.