How to Scour a Fleece
While wool yarns and garments shouldn't be washed in hot water, a fresh-from-the-sheep raw fleece needs to be scoured to remove the dirt and oils that cling to it. Sheep live outdoors and sleep on the ground, so their fleece can become very dirty. Scouring allows you to spin the fleece without getting dirt and vegetable matter all over your home. Allow about an hour for the scouring process and a few days of drying time before using or storing the cleaned fleece.
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Instructions
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Take the fleece outside and shake it vigorously to remove as much of the hay, grass and twigs as you can.
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Pick large sticks and pieces of debris off of the fleece by hand and discard.
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Fill the washing machine with hot water and pour in a cup of laundry detergent; any brand will work.
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Add the fleece to the washer. Press the fleece under the water until it is entirely immersed. Soak for an hour.
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Turn the washing machine on using the spin cycle. Spin the water from the fleece and remove it from the washer. Repeat the process if the fleece is still soiled; when no visible dirt remains, you are ready to rinse.
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Fill the washing machine with hot water. Add a cup of white vinegar and the fleece. Soak for an hour and spin to remove the water. Remove the fleece.
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Spread clean towels out on a porch or patio. Place the fleece on top and allow it to air dry, then spin, dye or store as desired.
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Tips & Warnings
If the fleece is truly filthy, soak it outside in a baby pool filled with cold water before scouring; this will remove some of the vegetable matter and feces.
This technique can be used for alpaca, goat or llama fleece as well as sheep fleece.
Never agitate the washer when scouring; doing so will damage the fleece.
Dry your fleece indoors if you have curious pets or wildlife who could damage it.
References
- Photo Credit BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images
