Scouring

Scouring

handmade

Wool scouring is the process of cleaning wool using hot water and detergents to remove grease, dirt, and other contaminants. It's the first mechanical process wool goes through after being shorn, sorted, and classed. 

The process involves: 

Feeding the wool: The greasy wool is fed into a machine. 

Washing: The wool is transported through a series of bowls containing wash liquor, which typically includes warm water, detergent, and sometimes alkali. 

Rinsing: The wool is rinsed with fresh water in the remaining bowls. 

The scouring process aims to remove almost all contaminants while minimizing entanglement or felting of the fibers.