What do you use to wash your fleece?

[schmije]

I have two alpaca fleece that need to be washed before I card them. I assumed that I should wash them in water with a little Dawn dish washing liquid, but I talked to someone the other day who said that I should use mild laundry soap. She said that the fleece was basically hair, and asked me if I'd wash my hair in Dawn. She recommended something intended for babies, like Dreft. Personally, I wouldn't wash my hair in Dreft.

I am curious what you use and if you've tried different things with different results. I have a bottle of baby shampoo, and I thought that might be a good choice.

 

[hollymh]

I wash my fleece baby diapers in dawn, it's called stripping them, just a really good way to get them clean

I wouldnt wash my hair in Dreft either. lol

 

[mama24]

I know you need to wash sheep fleece in a strong detergent like Dawn to get rid of excess lanolin, but it seems like overkill for alpaca fleece. Probably doesn't matter what you wash it with. Don't know much about alpaca, but wanted to point out that you probably don't need to use Dawn since there's no lanolin, but I can't see how it would hurt it.

I wouldn't even wash my baby's clothes in Dreft, let alone my hair!

 

[KimberlyJ]

I used to work at an alpaca farm. I'm not sure what she would wash a "raw" fleece with. BUT I wash all my alpaca clothing, including items I have knitted with her fiber in shampoo. But not baby shampoo, I can't remember why not baby shampoo but I do recall I was told not to use it. I can certainly send her an email and ask what she uses if you'd like.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Baby shampoo is famous for stripping all the oil out of your hair- maybe that's why?

 

[KimberlyJ]

I emailed Karen at Hunter Hill Alpacas, here's her reply : I don't wash it until after I spin it. There is usually no need to wash it first. Not sure what to use as I don't do it, but just a drop or two of regular shampoo will be enough. And she can not agitate it or it will felt.... If you have any other questions you could email her [email protected] Hope that helps. I am IN LOVE with alpaca fleece, so much so I shovel poo on her farm to be able to afford it

 

[NanaKat]

Following that advice: shampoo only if there is an objectionable odor to the alpaca fleece. Carding will help remove any debris in the hair.

 

[Captain Carrot]

this is going to sound weird, but it's free and it works.

Urine. It breaks down the grease in the fleece, you would then have to wash the urine out of it. Never mind. lol

A sheep breeder near me washes his show sheep using pure soap flakes that are suitable for new wool.


Honest though the urine really does work.

 

[schmije]

Quote:

I'm gonna have to pass....

 

[Captain Carrot]

Quote:

I'm gonna have to pass....

lol fair enough.