Washing Fleece

Your fleece can be washed in anything that will hold water. I use the washing machine for large quantities of wool but you may prefer to wash your fleece a little at a time using a bucket, a bowl, or the sink. I use a screen in my sink drain to catch stray wool fibers. 

1. Fill container with hot (140°F) water using 2 gallons for each pound of wool. Add Unicorn Power Scour (may be purchased on the website here) at the rate of 1 Tbsp (1/2 ounce) per pound of fiber. 

2. Add fleece to water. Press the fleece into the water gently but DO NOT AGITATE. If using the washing machine TURN IT OFF. Leave the wool alone for 10 to 20 minutes—not so long that the water cools off. 

3. Drain water or lift wool out of water. (A lingerie bag or a basket made of window screening is handy for this.) If using the washing machine, use the spin cycle to remove the water and then remove the wool. 

4. To rinse, fill your container with hot water. Repeat steps 2 & 3. One rinse may be all that is necessary. Use Fibre Rinse in the final rinse, if desired, at the rate of 1 Tbsp per pound of fiber. 

5. If you have spun your wool in the washing machine, it will be light and fluffy and will dry quickly outside in warm weather. In the middle of winter I spread my washed wool on old sheets that I can move to the warmest location indoors or out. If you have not used the washing machine to spin your wool, you may want to roll the wool in a towel to absorb some of the water and then spread it out to dry.