Processing raw wool for felting primarily involves thorough cleaning to remove dirt, grease (lanolin), and vegetation without causing the wool fibers to felt prematurely.
Preparing raw fleece is a critical step before you begin any felting project, whether it's needle felting or wet felting. Clean wool ensures better results and prevents impurities from getting locked into your felted creation.
Essential Steps for Cleaning Raw Wool
Based on best practices for washing raw fleece while minimizing the risk of felting, here are the key steps:
- Initial Soak in Wash Water: Begin by placing the bag of fleece into the wash water.
- Soak Period: Allow the fleece to soak for approximately 30 minutes. This helps loosen dirt and grease.
- Move to Rinse: After soaking, carefully transfer the fleece to a clear container of water. This rinse water should be slightly cooler than the wash water.
- Avoid Agitation: Throughout the entire washing and rinsing process, it is crucial to avoid agitation. Swishing, stirring, or sudden temperature changes can cause the wool fibers to lock together and felt unintentionally.
- Repeat if Necessary: To ensure the wool is completely clean, you may need to wash the wool twice and potentially rinse up to three times.
These steps focus on gently removing contaminants while keeping the fibers separate and ready for the controlled felting process later. Proper drying (usually laid flat out of direct sunlight) is the next step after cleaning.
