Washing Fiber at Home

The instructions below are intended for those who wish to clean moderate amounts of fiber at home.

Lanolin

• Sheep and mohair fleece contain lanolin, which is a natural grease, chiefly comprised of a mixture of cholesterol esters or suint. Lanolin flows from the roots and along the fleece, it carries with it much dust and dirt to the end of the staple.
• For sheep and angora goats it also acts as a moisturizer, keeping the skin dander-free and the fleece in healthy condition.
• Llama, alpaca, and some other exotic fibers do not contain lanolin and, while easier to clean than sheep wool and mohair, should not be underestimated in washing requirements.
• It is very important to wash fleece as soon as possible after shearing.
• Lanolin or wax in the fleece hardens with age, thereby making it more difficult to remove .
• A raw fleece is much more attractive to moths than a clean one.
• Even if you don't plan to process your fiber for some time, it's important to wash it promptly and store it in a cool, dry, moth-free environment.
• Lanolin dissolves best in very hot water and generous quantities of detergent.
• Scalding hot water is imperative throughout the entire washing process.

For Best Results

• Loosely fill a nylon net sweater bag or lingerie bag with up to two pounds of fleece.
• A maximum of five pounds (loose) should be washed in a washing machine at a time.
• Maintain a good water-to-fiber ratio.
• Use very hot water. Removing the grease from fleece requires a temperature of at least 140F, and preferably 150F to 180F.
• Suitable cleaning agents are liquid dish soap such as Dawn, Joy, Ivory.
• Do not use laundry detergents such as Tide, ABC, etc., as they are inadequate for cleaning fiber.
• Avoid perfumes.
• Hard water will require more of the cleaning agent.
• Do not add conditioners to the rinse.

Washing Instructions Fill washing machine with very hot water. Gently submerge bag(s) of fiber into water. Let soak for a few minutes. Never agitate fiber during the washing process. Do not lift saturated fiber above the water without support. Handle wet fiber as little as possible. Use generous quantities of detergent.

Rinsing

• Refill washing machine with same temperature water as used in washing.
• Return fiber and let soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Repeat wash and rinse process at least twice or until water is thoroughly clean.
• It is imperative that water runs clean indicating cleanliness of fiber.
• When fleece and final rinse water are thoroughly clean, put fleece through a final spin cycle to further withdraw excess water.

Drying Take clean loose fleece and lay it on a sweater rack with netting or a similar arrangement such as plastic bread racks so air can circulate around the fiber. Approximately every three hours, turn and fluff the fiber. Drying time takes six hours to several days pending how dense the fiber is laid out, temperature, humidity and weather conditions. Do not dry fiber in direct sunlight or by a fireplace as this makes the fiber brittle. Be sure fiber is completely dry before shipping.

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