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Beginner1-2 days

Fiber Preparation Scouring Guide

Learn fiber preparation scouring from scratch with a clear step-by-step workflow, recommended tools, safety guidelines, and expert tips.

spinnersraw fiber processors

Workflow

  1. Sort and Weigh Fiber

    1 hour

    Remove vegetable matter, separate by staple length, and record dry weight for WOF calculations.

  2. Scour Bath Setup

    30 min

    Fill pot with water, add fiber scour or Unicorn Power Scour at manufacturer ratio, heat gradually.

  3. Rinse and Repeat if Needed

    1 hour

    Lift fiber gently, rinse in same temp water, repeat scour if lanolin or grease remains.

  4. Dry and Mordant Ready

    1 day

    Air dry completely or overnight before mordant — wet weight skews WOF calculations.

Checklist

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Planning

Preparation

Safety

Execution

Quality

Documentation

Reference Materials

Scour PurposeStandard

Removes lanolin, oils, and dirt — unmordanted grease blocks dye penetration.

Scour AmountFormula

Commercial scour often 1–2% WOF; excessive soap hard to rinse.

Fiber Scour TempsTable

Maximum scour temperatures.

FiberMax °FAgitation
Wool180Minimal
Silk160None
Cotton200Moderate

  • Felting

    Agitation + hot water + soap felts wool irreversibly.

  • Scald

    Heating water before adding fiber prevents uneven shock but pot still scalds.

  • Ventilation

    Wet wool smell strong — ventilate indoor scouring area.

Safety Notes

  • Use dedicated fiber pots not used for food.
  • Lift heavy wet fleece with both hands — back strain common.

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