The review of the Swanndri shirt mentions a gradual loss of water resistance, and that set me to searching for something I read some time ago about proofing wool. I finally tracked it down to a copy of Horace Kephart's "Camping and Woodcraft" from 1921. Here's an excerpt:
"It is easier to waterproof woolens than cotton clothing. Simply make a solution of anhydrous lanolin in benzine or gasoline, soak the garment in it about three minutes, wring out gently, stretch to shape, and hang up to dry, shifting position of garment frequently, until nearly dry, so that the lanolin will be evenly distributed... woolens impregnated with lanolin shed rain better than cloth treated by any of the chemical processes. The goods are not changed in weight, color, or odor... The waterproofing is permanent... The strength of the solution to be used depends upon climate. For a hot, rainy climate use four ounces of lanolin to a gallon of benzine; for average conditions in the temperate zone, three ounces to the gallon; for cold climate, or winter use exclusively, two ounces to the gallon, as cold has a tendency to stiffen cloth that has been steeped in a strong solution. The three-ounce formula is right for blankets."
Kephart was presumably using U.S. gallons, which are one fifth smaller than Imperial gallons.
Does it work? I've never tried - something about rinsing my jumper in gasoline makes me nervous - but certainly lanolin is a venerable waterproofing material for fishermen's ganzies. I'll throw this one over to a brave soul, preferably a non-smoker, to try the recipe and let us all know how it turns out.
"It is easier to waterproof woolens than cotton clothing. Simply make a solution of anhydrous lanolin in benzine or gasoline, soak the garment in it about three minutes, wring out gently, stretch to shape, and hang up to dry, shifting position of garment frequently, until nearly dry, so that the lanolin will be evenly distributed... woolens impregnated with lanolin shed rain better than cloth treated by any of the chemical processes. The goods are not changed in weight, color, or odor... The waterproofing is permanent... The strength of the solution to be used depends upon climate. For a hot, rainy climate use four ounces of lanolin to a gallon of benzine; for average conditions in the temperate zone, three ounces to the gallon; for cold climate, or winter use exclusively, two ounces to the gallon, as cold has a tendency to stiffen cloth that has been steeped in a strong solution. The three-ounce formula is right for blankets."
Kephart was presumably using U.S. gallons, which are one fifth smaller than Imperial gallons.
Does it work? I've never tried - something about rinsing my jumper in gasoline makes me nervous - but certainly lanolin is a venerable waterproofing material for fishermen's ganzies. I'll throw this one over to a brave soul, preferably a non-smoker, to try the recipe and let us all know how it turns out.
