1. Fill the washer with very hot water.
Add liquid detergent about a cup. Turn off the washer. Gently put
your fleece in the washer tub. Close the lid and
let the fleece soak for about 45 minutes.
2. Next, turn washer to the end of the SPIN cycle. Spin the water out
of fleece. Lift the fleece out and set it aside.
3. Fill the washer tub with very hot water again. Put the fleece back in
and let soak for about 30 minutes.
4. Turn washer to the end of the SPIN cycle. Spin the
water out of the fleece. At this point, sort out the fleece that is clean enough to dry.
If fleece is especially fine or dirty, you may need to repeat the wash and
spin steps a few more times. Mohair often needs multiple washes as does merino,
rambouillet and sometimes other finer wools.
Use hot water with about one-half cup of white vinegar and soak fleece 30 minutes for the last rinse, then spin it out.
Spread the fleece to air dry on a towel or drying rack.
Using a Bath Tub or Other Large Container
Using very hot water and the same amount of detergent
as above, follow pretty much the same steps as for the washer method.
Do not allow running water to run directly on the fleece.
A nylon mesh laundry bag can be used to help contain the fleece for lifting but the
more open the fleece can be in the water, the cleaner you can get it in
fewer wash and rinse sequences.
Any liquid detergent, without bleach should work fine.
However, avoid using products with conditioners, because
they can leave a filmy residue on fiber which will impede the carding process.
To prevent the fleece from felting, avoid the urge to knead the fleece or handle it
excessively when it is in the water. Also between rinses be sure to fill the next tub of water at
the same water temperature you are taking the fleece from.
Gently squeeze out the water from the fleece and spread it to air dry on a towel or drying rack.