This is my way of washing fleece. It may vary slightly from time to time, but the basics are the same. This is how I wash. I'm happy with my process (altho in the small batches its a *S*L*O*W* process) and with my finished results. Some who wash fleece use their washing machine. That really isn't what I like to do. Please google if you think you'd prefer that method.Today I am washing a corridale fleece from a 2 year old ewe. The fleece is well skirted, nearly completely free of vm, not too dirty, and quite lanoliny. Since this fleece is quite crimpy and fine, I'm particularly careful not to aggitate or temperature shock the fibers. Doing so may cause felting problems.
Had I washed on a larger scale either in a 20 gallon rubbermaid tub or in the upstairs bathroom, I would have used a large pot for boiling the water and mesh lingerie bags in lieu of the colander. I do prefer to wash in larger batches. I'm doing small batches today to help keep the aggitation risk to a minimum.
If this fleece been very dirty, I would have first started my wash process with a long (usually overnight) soak to losen up the dirt. I likely would have done all my work outside as well. Since this fleece is really quite clean, I skip right to the washing process. I usually use rubbermaid tubs outside for cleaning fleece. But since its winter near Seattle, outside means day after day of cold, chilly rains.
Today I am washing small amounts of fleece in my sink. The supplies I gather are a large bowl, colander, tea kettle, detergent, fleece and a chop stick. Notice I painted the end of the chopstick. My bowl and colander are also marked "Fiber Only". I do this so everyone in the family knows these particular items have been up to some grungy tasks. I encourage you to do the same. My detergent of choice is Bi-O-Kleen's environmentally friendly Laundry Liquid. Other people swear by other products like Joy dishwashing liquid, other laundry detergents, Orvis, and various shampoos.
The first thing I do is fill the kettle and set it to boil. Once boiling, a quarter sized dollop of Laundry Liquid and the boiling water are added to my wash bowl. Hot tap water is added until the wash bowl is full. I use the chopstick to swish things around so the soap disolves.
Now I gently lower the fleece filled colander into the hot water. I use the chopstick to gently poke the fibers down into the water. Once things are totally submerged, I put a new kettle to boil and set the timer for 10 minutes.
after the first soakAfter the 10 minutes are up, I gently remove the colander from the water. The water is quite dirty and the fleece already noticeably whiter. I look over my fiber and decide the one soapy soak was enough. From this point forward, all my soaks are rinses.
The dirty wash water is dumped outside among the plants in my container garden. The wash bowl is rinsed clean and filled again with the boiling water and hot tap water. Again, the fiber filled colander is gently lowered into the water and will sit for 10 minutes. The kettle is once again set to boil.
after the second soakThe fleece is looking about the same as after the wash. Water is noticeably clearer, but still dirty. The water is dumped, bowl rinsed clean, hot water added and fleece gently lowered in. Time for the third soak. Judging by the amount of dirt in the water, I suspect I'm nearing the end of my washing. No more water is set to boil. If I need to soak a fourth time, my hot tap water will be a sufficient temperature. I set the timer for 15 minutes knowing that the soak water will then be cooled enough to be near hot tap water temperature. Remember, we're trying not to have drastic temperature changes.
after the third soakThe fleece continues to look the same. The wash water is looks clear, but a tiny bit of dirty residue is present when the water is dumped. I decide on a fourth soak. This time I use only hot tap water to fill the bowl. Fleece is gently lowered in. Timer is set for another 15 minute soak.
after the fourth and final soak
cleaned fleeceHere is a picture of my cleaned fleece. Yes, there is a dark area present. Looking at it closely, I see no way to futher wash the area to be perfectly white. Its either stained or a fine residue is present. I'll pay close attention to that area when I flick the locks prior to further processing or spinning.
Since this batch of fiber is done washing, I gently press the fiber trying to get some of the water out. If I had a salad spinner, I'd use that to help dry. But I don't have one, so I set my very wet wool onto a wire rack in front of the fan. My fibers will be turned over and fussed with a bit to help get everything dry. Even after sitting overnight in front of the fan, my fiber is still fairly damp. I highly recommend that salad spinner. =)
One last step to washing my fleece is to clean up the kitchen. I wash down the sink and nearby counter tops with a mild clorox and water solution. You never know exactly what may be present in that fleece.
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