Due to the lack of rain for the past 2 months, we've been rationing water, so I haven't been able to wash my fleeces until now. Fortunately we've had a weekend of good steady rain, and the water tanks are now full. So I can finally wash some fleeces, as I have had nothing to card, spin or knit.
Below are the steps used to scour raw wool with Unicorn Power Scour.
I'm scouring Arapawa fleeces, which are rather dirty and greasy, and the staple is very short.
Step 1: Source Fleece
Step 2: Skirt Fleece
Remove as much of the nasties as you can. Poo, Dirt, Grass, Etc.
Step 3: Get Everything Ready
Measuring jug, Unicorn Power Scour, scales, wooden spoon or similar, thermometer, bucket & laundry bags (see advice below).
Step 4: Weigh Fleece
On this occasion I was scouring 1KG at a time, but keep in mind wet wool is heavy. So don't be to enthusiastic, as it gets heavy. Also I have a very small working space.
Step 5: Prepare Your Hot Water
I'm using an old kitchen thermometer, and 60 degrees is the target. In my situation the hot tap water was just under, so by adding 1 kettle of boiled water put me over 60 degrees.
Step 6: Measure Unicorn Power Scour
Use very little product as Unicorn Power Scour is a concentrate.
15ml per 0.45kg wool
Step 7: Add Unicorn Power Scour To Hot Water
Gently mix in, you do not want to create bubbles.
Step 8: Add Fleece
Submerge your fleece, but do not stir!
Step 9: Set Timer For 15-20 minutes.
You don't want the water to cool too much, or the nasties re-attach to your fibre. So just watch this, I found come 15 minutes the water temperature had already dropped to 55 degrees.
Step 10: Keep Wool Submerged
Step 11: Drain Dirty Water
This is where I find the flexible bucket very handy in keeping the wool in, and getting the dirty water out. Heavy dirt sits at the bottom of the bucket.
Step 12: Rinse and/or Repeat
If you wool is rather dirty, repeat the wash again, but only using half the amount of Unicorn Power Scour. On this occasion I scoured twice, and then did two rinses, or until the rinse water runs clear. TIP: on your final rinse add Unicorn Fibre Rinse to help with the manageability of the fibre, but if you intend to dye your fibre, then hold off until you have finished the dyeing process. Unicorn Fibre Rinse will also help to lock in the colour.
Step 13: Dry & You're Done!
How you dry your wet fleece will differ from person to person, and I guess the fleece type that you are working with. However, with my Arapawa Fleece, I split the fleece into 5 laundry bags, and put into the washing machine, and start the machine with a delicate spin only. I did try this with a long Romney Fleece that I had and made a real mess of it. So you have to be careful not to matt the fibre. Otherwise, press out as much water as you can, then put the fibre out on a rack to finish drying.
Step 14 and Beyond:
Once dried, you can card your fleece, then spin it, and then start your creation!
What I really love, is process of taking raw wool from my sheep out in the paddock and creating something with that for my home. It's an awesome feeling of satisfaction!