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Washing Fleeces:
I have found that wool from a Soay ewe will not require washing before spinning, it has less grease and drafts easily. Wool from a ram has more grease in it and will require some preparation before using.
I have washed my Shetland fleeces (ewes and rams) in the following manner:
1) Put some detergent in the washing machine, add hot water and let it fill most of the way, making certain that the detergent has dissolved. Add the fleece, and let continue to fill. TURN IT OFF before the agitation begins. I make it a practice to stand next to the machine, poking the fleece down with a stick, until the washer has filled and I have turned it off. Otherwise I will forget and wind up with felted fleece! Shut the lid and let the fleece sit for an hour or two. Alert the entire family that if anyone turns on the machine, this will result in serious consequences on their part.
2) Turn the machine to the spin cycle. Do no allow it to rinse or agitate.
3) Fill up the machine with hot water again, and add a little vinegar to it. Stand by while it fills, poking the fiber down with a stick. Turn it off before agitation begins. Allow to sit for another hour.
4) Turn the machine to the spin cycle. Do not allow it to rinse or agitate.
5) Spread the fleece out on a drying rack of sorts, taking care to keep the locks as intact as possible. I have used plastic netting on an upright frame; the netting has a 1/2" grid, which works nicely.
Soay fleeces could be washed in the same manner. In the case of smaller amounts, this could be done in a large bowl or pan in the kitchen sink. Some people prefer to use liquid dish soap, such as Dawn, when doing this. I have not found the need to wash Soay ewe fleeces before spinning, but if I did, I'd use the natural dish soap in my kitchen.
