washing a fleece

How to wash a fleece:
1. Pull off a good-sized section of the fleece (maybe 2 or 3 square feet, depending on the size of your washing container).
2. Fill the sink or large bucket with hothothot tap water. I use the kitchen sink and then clean the whole area really well afterwards. Add 2-3 tablespoons laundry detergent or dishsoap. I like to use an eco-friendly non-toxic laundry soap to minimize evil chemicals.
3. Gently submerge the section of fleece in the soapy water. Make sure it all gets wet, but don't move it around very much. This process if very delicated because wool felts very easily and you'll end up with one big solid mass of wool that might make a nice compact camping pillow. Set timer for 20 minutes.
4. Carefully pull the wool out of the soapy water and set aside while you prepare the next bath. I keep a collander handy and transfer it to that so that excess water can drain out of it. Empty the sink or bucket and rinse it out.
5. Refill the sink with clean hothothot tap water (no soap in this one). Submerge wool in the hot water and set the time for 20 minutes again.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 as many times as necessary until the water is clean at the end of the rinse cycle.
7. Put in the washing machine on "SPIN CYCLE" ONLY! You do not want new water to enter the washing machine. We're just spinning the water out of the wool to help it dry. You can also use a salad spinner with small quantities of the wool.
8. Lay flat on a towel to dry. Outside in the shade works well, as does a dry room inside. Once dry, it is ready to card or do whatever project you've been waiting for!