WASHING FLEECE

After much trial and error and talking with other people we have come up with the method that we prefer to wash a fleece.

First we soak the fleece in cold water. Soak at least 2-3 hours and often we put it in and soak overnight. The time is not critical. Then spin the dirty water out, take the wool out and fill machine with hot water. Add dawn dish soap, or whatever kind you use, just be sure you are using soap, not detergent, and put the fleece back in. Let soak, this time do not let the water get cold or the soap will go into the fleece. Spin and either wash again or rinse in warm water. Be sure you get all of the soap rinsed out of the fleece or it will be gummy. It will take 2 rinses, maybe 3. If you are sending the fleece for processing you must have the lanolin all out of it also or it will gum up the equipment. If processing yourself not as critical.

The secret is to handle the fleece as little as possible. I have some problem with this and my husband actually does a better job of washing than I do!! Also be sure you do not let the machine agitate. When spinning the water out go to the very end of the rinse cycle so no water is spraying in on the fleece. When refilling the machine also remove the fleece.

Since we have started washing the fleece in this manner it comes out very clean and so open and fluffy that you can actually just pick it up and spin without any further processing. I have washed Corriedale, Romney, Lincoln, Columbia, Rambouillet, Merino, Border Leicester, in this manner and it works well with all of them.

When I wash Mohair, I use my large dye pots and put it on the stove and keep it just below a simmer for about 20-30 minutes. Mohair takes a hotter wash to get it clean. I then pour it in the machine and spin it out, then repeat the wash. I use the hot water in the machine for the rinsing of the hair. Again this leaves the fiber very soft and fluffy and ready for use.

Hope this is of some help to you in preparing your fibers for enjoyable spinning. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at ldmegli@tiadon.com