DIRTY EWE
Wool Scour
​WHEN YOUR WOOL IS A LITTLE TOO BARNYARD
How Dirty Ewe began
Once we started the mill and were washing more than a few fleeces, we started looking for a good wool scour. We collaborated with a local business, who are experts in their field, to develop a soap that met our specific needs of removing the dirt and lanolin but didn't damage the fiber.
The result is Dirty Ewe Wool Scour, a plant-based soap tested in our mill and trusted for years. A smart choice at a fair price.
-Plant Based
-Biodegradable
-Septic Safe
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About Me.
Washing wool can seem a little intimidating, if you have never done it before, but it really is an easy process once you get the hang of it. We will be adding some how to videos in the near future, but here are some tips to get you started.
Washing Tips
Water Temperature
When washing wool for processing, our goal is to remove the dirt and all of the lanolin. Water temperature needs to be between 140-160 degree Fahrenheit.
For wool that has more grease, the temperatures need to be closer to 160. We work mostly with medium and longwools, so anywhere between 140-160 gets the job done. We cover the sinks to keep the water from cooling down too fast.
Washing with Wool Scour
Dirty Ewe is a concentrated soap so a little goes a long way. I split the fleeces into no more than 3-pound sections (with high lanolin fleeces 2 pounds). I add 3-4 tablespoons of soap to the water. I add enough water to cover the fleece so it can move around freely.
​*if you have hard water, you may need to use more soap
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We typically do two washes and two rinses when washing wool.
When you're washing wool, soak with no agitation.
The first wash should be about 25-30 minutes.
We extract the water in between each soak.
For the second wash I add 1-2 tablespoons of soap to the clean water and leave the wool to soak for 25-30 minutes.
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To rinse the wool use hot water with no soap. 20-30 minutes for each soak.
We typically do two washes and two rinses. Sometimes with really clean, low lanolin fleeces I do one wash and two rinses. With high lanolin fleeces you may need to do three washes with multiple rinses.
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If you have a way to extract water in between each wash and rinse, that is best, but not necessary.
I use large mesh laundry bags, which makes the wool easier to work with.
Just remember wool does not like agitation or extreme temperature changes. That can result in the wool felting.
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Tutorials
I will be adding some video tutorials so check back with me.
If you have any questions about washing wool, feel free to ask!