In this episode we’ll unpack the nuance of one of the greatest barriers to sustainability of small batch yarn, wool scouring. We’ll share the 4 essential requirements for scouring, discuss fermented suint, reveal 3 types of scouring baths we use at our mill and also pro-tips on how to tell whether you’ve washed your wool effectively.

Highlights

• Lydia tells the story of her first time washing a fleece [2:36]
• Four essential requirements for scouring wool [11:50]
  • Choosing a vessel [12:52]
  • Hot Water [15:08]
  • Soap & pH [19:30]
  • Extraction [24:55]
• A few cautions for the home scouring setup [28:10]
• Fermented Suint Method or Cold Wash [32:34]
• Three type of scouring baths we use at the Abundant Earth Fiber Mill [37:15]
  Picking as part of the scouring process [40:12]
  Three tips to tell if you got all the grease out of your fleece [45:18]

Links

• Unicorn Power Scour
• pH Meter and Test Strips
• DIY Natural Laundry Soap
• Laundry Alternative Spin Dryer
• Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook — More than 200 Fibers from Animal to Spun Yarn
• Field Guide to Fleece — Compact reference of 100 sheep breeds and how to use their fibers
• Lavender Essential Oil — Whidbey Island grown and processed
• Purchase Raw Fiber from AEF!
  • Wenslydale
  • Coopworth
  • Romney
  • Targhee

• Wool Scouring Videos — Coming Soon!