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Washing fleece
Outdoor girl
Posts: 286
I 'found' a couple of pieces of garden fleece lurking behind my log pile today. They are complete, not chewed or ripped. I had just forgotten about them. However, they are muddy and a bit green. Can I wash them in the washing machine? Would they survive a gentle wash cycle? Has anyone one ever done this?
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I've washed some before, in the summer outside in a trug and rinsed with the hose & pegged out to dry. I wouldn't put in the washing machine in case they fall to bits and block your washer pump
I've machine-washed some pieces, they did go a bit fluffy in places but held together. Some kinds are much stronger than others, I've found. I'd give it a go, on a gentle programme.
I have to disagree the call out charge (and likely additional costs due to inappropriate use) to unblock a pump is more costly than new fleece. I would not risk it. Even if you do you'd have to put your washer through an empty hot wash to ensure it was fit to put clothes in.
Rather than risking the washing machine, dunk it in the sink and do it by hand. Do it on a dry day so you can hang it on the line to drip dry.
have you a bucket , water butt or something similar. I'm sure they don't need "washing", but just a rinse to freshen them up a bit?? If not , I'd sooner give them a sloosh in the bath rather than the washing machine ( easier to clean )
Oh dear - I am a bit spooked. I think I will use my big sink in the utility room. At least they will not block the machine - I had not thought about that. Thank you.
You could pop it in an old pillow case so that any loose bits don't escape & cause damage.
(I thought this thread was going to be about washing a sheep's fleece - now there's a mucky job!)
Don't bespooked! Pop it in an old pillowcase and dunk it up & down in your sink with detergent, then rinse and investigate, hang up and see how it is! Always worth a try? Do say how you got on!x
Which animal does the fleece come from if it is sheeps wool then it must be boiled preferably in an old metal bucket if you boil it; chuck in some wood shavings for pink wool and conkers if you can find any or nettles for green tint etc. the conkers are to act as a mordant to ;set; the colour so it should run too much
Think you will find its garden fleece