Wool fleece is a type of fabric that mimics the coats of sheep, goats, and other animals. It is a lightweight, soft, and warm synthetic fabric that comes in a variety of colors and weights. It’s a versatile material that is ideal for cold weather activities, such as hiking or camping.
Wool is a natural insulator, and it helps you stay warm by trapping your body’s heat. It is also a good choice for sensitive skin because it does not irritate your skin as much as other fabrics.
It is also a very breathable fabric, so you will not sweat as much while wearing it. This helps you stay cooler in warmer weather as well.
The term “fleece” was first used to refer to the wool covering of a sheep or goat, but over time, this has broadened to include any fabric that is soft and warming. Today, fleece can be made from acrylic or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and is usually made in a wide range of color combinations.
There are a few different types of fibers within a wool fleece, and these fibers have distinct properties. Depending on the breed, each fiber can have more or less crimp and softness.
A single fleece may contain a mix of these fibers, and even individual fibers in a single fleece can change throughout the year. This can make it difficult to determine if you are spinning a fleece of hair, kemp, or both!
While the majority of a fleece’s fibers are click here there is often a mixture of hair and kemp. This is because wool fibers are prone to breaking during the shearing process, and the hair and kemp help keep the wool from cracking.
In addition, the lanolin that is naturally present in wool helps to keep the fleece from felting on the sheep. This lanolin can be 5 to 25 percent of the weight of the raw fleece, and it is an important part of the fiber’s structure.
The lanolin is also an antimicrobial substance, and it helps to repel bacteria. This is a good thing, because it prevents odors from developing while you’re wearing the fleece.
When you wash the fleece, it is best to remove as much of the lanolin as possible by using mild detergents and washing it in cold water. You can use fabric softener or bleach on the remaining fibers to further reduce the lanolin content.
It is better to rinse out your fleece thoroughly in order to remove lanolin, suint, and other materials that can affect the spinning process. It is also important to use a mild laundry soap on your fleece, as washing with too much detergent can damage the fibers.
Lastly, it is better to rinse your fleece after washing to remove any excess residue left over from the detergent or fabric softener. This residue can cause the fibers to pill or wear down more quickly than they would if you had not used any soap in the first place!
