[Jacob-list] Washing fleece ans pelts

[Linda]

I have heard that about woolite and I do not recommend woolite for any 
woolen items I sell. My original question was regarding washing pelts, 
but it is interesting to hear how others wash their fleeces.

Like Robin, I do a cold water soak first. Saves alot of electricity and 
you get a much cleaner fleece with less electricity used.

I do use my washing machine for the cold water soak as well as for the 
hot water soak and rinse. When we built this house one of the things I 
insisted on was a way to divert the washing machine exhaust water to the 
garden/pasture. It's pretty basic and goes directly from the exhaust 
hose on the washer to pipes that empty into a 55 drum and on from there. 
The guys got techie when they designed the system I asked for, but it 
just ended up backing up and being a nuisance. My revised system is so 
simple that it's stupid - but it works. I've never had any problem with 
the washer getting plugged up, but if I had a brand new expensive 
machine, I might worry more. I'm not terribly protective of my washing 
machine :-)

Cheryl, I also like a shorter soak for the hot water wash and rinses. 
There are some washing products (like Borax) that are maybe fine for 10 
minutes and then they start to eat your wool. I've never really cared 
all that much for Orvis for washing fleeces. The wool seems just abit 
too greasy for me to want to run through my Supercard. Dawn worked fine 
for me with no damage to the wool, but is more expensive than some other 
options. A fiber mill once told me that used something that was the same 
as Era laundry detergent. I've found some laundry detergents that work 
well for me. I sometimes add a bit of Simple Green - again - short soak 
time.

Linda





RNS1260 at comcast.net wrote:

>

>

> We live a stones throw from the Mannings Handweaving studio. They do 

> not recommend washing your woolen items in Woolite. To remove grease 

> from fleece they recommend Dawn Dish Detergent. For any other wool 

> items, they suggest washing with Orvis. and then rinsing with hair 

> conditioner

>

> The two most important things to remember is _DO Not_ change the 

> temperature of your water. The temperature you wash in, is the 

> temperature you rinse in. _Do Not_ agitate. This is what causes 

> felting. Let your fleece sit for 10 minutes in your wash water. 

> Pressing down with your hands in a gentle motion to make certain it is 

> fully immersed in the water. Spin out. Repeat the same for your rinse 

> cycle.

>

> Hope this is of some help.

>

> Rise 'N' Shine Farm

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> _______________________________________________

> Jacob-list mailing list, sponsored by Swallow Lane Farm & Fiberworks

> Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com

> http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/jacob-list

>   

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://www.pairlist.net/pipermail/jacob-list/attachments/20090816/c3af6667/attachment-0001.html>