Effective Wool Washing & Wool Cleaning

The first step in wool washing and wool cleaning is scouring. “Scouring” is a term used in the commercial fiber industry loosely defined as: wool washing in hot soapy water several times, followed by thorough rinsing and drying. Wool wash scouring removes the natural grease in the fiber, the suint or body excretions, dirt and dust, and prepares the fiber for further processing. It is this first critical wool wash “scouring” that will determine how well your fiber will hold up to the expectations that you, the fiber crafter, desire. Unicorn Fibre wool washing and wool cleaning solutions -- Power Scour and Unicorn Fibre Wash & Fibre Rinse -- have been formulated to break down and dissipate dirt and soils, while protecting the fiber cuticle in the process.

POWER SCOUR In- 1oz, 4oz , 16oz, & Gallon Sizes.

Now Enhanced for HARD WATER use

• Optimize cleaning at lower temperatures
• Incredible STAIN REMOVER - even Red Wine!
• Eliminates build-up of cleaning agents
• Cost-effective –– use significantly less to scour
• Reduces mats and tangles
• Eliminates ODORS – Non–yellowing -
• Leaves fiber with a clean, fresh aroma
• Biodegradable – Earth Friendly – no Fillers- no Bleach

FIBRE WASH In- .7oz, 4oz , 16oz, & Gallon Sizes.

 Unicorn Fibre Wash cleans and refreshes all wools and synthetic yarns and rinses clean. Eliminates odors and staining, non-yellowing. Breaks down soils and odor-causing bacteria. Energy-saving low suds - high-efficiency washer compatible. Biodegradable. Earth Friendly.

FIBRE RINSE In- .7oz, 4oz, 16oz, & Gallon Sizes.

 Fibre Rinse is designed to optimize the conditioning of the natural fiber (wool, etc.) cuticle and enhance the softness of delicate synthetic items. Provides luster, softness, and anti-static benefits to all-natural fibers. Refreshing fragrance and non-yellowing. Reduces the "itch factor" in wools. Earth-friendly, biodegradable. High-efficiency washer compatible.

Hand Wash: For 1 pound of fiber, use 1 Tablespoon (1/2oz) of Power Scour with 2 gallons of hot water (120-140 degrees F. or 50 – 60 degrees C.) First: MIX Power Scour into water. Submerge fiber and make sure it is completely covered and loosely fit. Wash/Soak for 15-20 minutes (do not allow water temp to drop significantly). Drain water and rinse once or twice with same temperature water. Depending on how dirty or greasy the fiber is: if a second wash/soak is needed use ½ the amount of Power Scour to water and repeat with 1-2 more rinses.

Top Loader Washing Machine: Use 2½ oz of Power Scour for 5 lbs of fiber. Use Large Wash setting with hot water. Fill the tub with water and mix Power Scour in. Distribute the fiber evenly into the tub and submerge – only use the soak or delicate wash cycle setting. Let soak/wash for 15-20 minutes. Rinse 1 or 2 times and spin.

Extra tips

High Lanolin and dirt (Wool, Mohair)                           Less Oily/Waxy fibres (Alpaca, Cashmere)

140 degrees F. (or 60 degrees C.) water temp             120 degree F. (or 60 degrees C.) water temp

May require 2 soaks/washings

*For harder water or if using more water volume, add more Power Scour (about 1oz to 5 gallons.)

*High Efficiency machines use less water – therefor use the soak or delicate wash cycle setting and less fibre  to allow for looser fit.

*For clay soil deposits or exceptionally greasy fibre consider a pre-soak with Power Scour.

We recommend the use of Unicorn Fibre Rinse in the final rinse to help with the manageability of the fibre, softness and anti-static control. If dyeing, use Fibre Rinse after the dyeing process to help lock in color.

Unicorn Products are: highly biodegradable, have a low BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand,) earth friendly, and are concentrated products that contain no phosphates, enzymes, bleach or fillers.

POWER SCOUR WASHING INSTRUCTIONS FOR MINI MILLS

Power Scour                   Fibre                                Water

½ oz.                             1 LB.                                2 gal

2 ½ oz.                             5 LBS.                            10 gal

5 oz.                           10 LBS.                                20 gal.

Mix Power Scour into water. Submerge fibre and make sure it is completely covered and loosely fit. Wash/Soak for 15-20 minutes (do not allow water temp to drop significantly). Drain water and rinse with same temperature water. Depending on how dirty or greasy the fibre is: if a second Wash/Soak is needed use ½ the amount of Power Scour to water and repeat with 1-2 more rinses.

Extra tips

High Lanolin and dirt (Wool, Mohair)                         Less Oily/Waxy fibres (Alpaca, Cashmere)

10 pounds of fibre use 5 oz of Power Scour               10 pounds of fibre use 4oz of Power Scour

140 degree F (or 60 degree C.) water temp               120 degree F. (or 60 degrees C.) water temp

May require 2 Washings/Soaks

*For Harder Water, more water volume or really greasy/oily fibers increase Power Scour (about 1 oz. to 5 gallons.)

*For clay soil deposits or exceptionally greasy fibre consider a pre-soak with Power Scour.

We recommend the use of Unicorn Fibre Rinsein the final rinse to help with the manageability of the fiber, softness, and antistatic control. If dyeing, use Fibre Rinse after the dyeing process to help lock in color.

Unicorn Products are highly biodegradable and have a low BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), are earth-friendly, and are concentrated products that contain no phosphates, enzymes, bleach, or fillers.

Power Scour was designed and tested to achieve optimum cleaning with minimal fiber damage. A certain amount of trial and error should be expected during start-up to avoid over or underuse of the products.

 Use Power Scour for wool washing and wool cleaning fiber with heavier burdens of grease, wax, suint, dirt and clay, typically found in sheep, goat, and bison fibers. 
How to Scour using Power Scour.pdf  

General guidelines 
Dosage Guidelines for Small Batches.pdf  
Use lower temperatures, 40°-50°C (104-122°F), for fibers such as Cashmere, Alpaca, Bison, etc. Use higher temperatures, 50°-55°C (122-131°F), for fibers with more oil/wax or oils (sheep, etc.) 

The goals of the Unicorn Fibre Wool Washing/Wool Cleaning & Fibre Rinse system are to optimize the latest chemistry to maximize cleaning effectiveness at low temperatures while imparting fiber conditioning for ease of handling and processing. The goal of providing these benefits with the use of only safe and environmentally sensitive ingredients was paramount. Laboratory testing has verified these results. United States Patent Pending. 
No Phosphates – No Enzymes – No Fillers 
Biodegradable – Non-Yellowing – Earth Friendly