Lanolin as a "Fabric Softener"

[amyofescobar]

So I've been toying around with this after reading online about someone who tried using lanolin on their wool and cotton shirts. Seems like a good idea to protect fibers and aid in self cleaning? Although, there seems to be some debate on whether or not wool fibers are what makes wool self cleaning, or whether its the lanolin.

Anyways, just curious. Anyone ever hear of any lanolin based softeners?

 

[foraloysius]

Not really a softener, but here is a wash product for wool containing lanolin. You don't rinse it out.

Amazon.com

 

[launderess]

Have a huge jar of lanolin on my dressing table

For various hair and cosmetic uses; but have special detergents and fabric conditioners for wool and silk in my laundry chemical arsenal.

Did some research and apparently there are ways to apply lanolin to wool either by immersion or other methods.

Immersion involves ratio of pure lanolin to a solvent or surfactant, then water. Since pure lanolin basically repels water, you've got to get the surfactant/solvent ratio down pat, otherwise there will be globs of lanolin that very well may leave spots.

Here are the ingredients for Eucalan (from bottle in our stash)

Purified Water
AmmoniumLauryl Sulphate
Ammonium Chloride
PEG 75 Lanolin
Cocamide MEA
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Essential Oil (eucalyptus, lavender or grapefruit)
Methylchloroisothiazolinone

*PEG 75 Lanolin is ethoxylated lanolin condensate. It mixes easier with water and forms more stable emulsions than the pure substance. If you examine many hair and skin care product labels you'll see PEG lanolin listed. [this post was last edited: 8/28/2017-05:40]

 

[foraloysius]

Therefor it's wise to use a wool detergent with lanolin, no problems of dissolving the stuff.

 

[askolover]

I've read that one can use hair conditioner aka creme rinse on wool.  Don't know, haven't tried it myself.

 

[launderess]

Two words:

Stearalkonium chloride.

I'll say no more! *LOL*

Stearalkonium chloride - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org