Posted by Carol Stainbrook on Wednesday, 30 July 2003, at 11:35 a.m.:
In Reply to: Angora Goat Fleeces posted by Ginger on Monday, 26 August 2002, at 10:56 p.m.:
Hi, I own a couple of goats. Your best bet is to make small managable net bags to put the fleece in. I make them about like you get apples in. I use a rinse tub and fill about half full with hot water then add a tsp or so of denatured alcohol then put in the wool(several bags). Push them down but don't agitate. Let soak for about 10 minutes and then pull out a bag and squeeze out the water and repeat until all are out of the tub. If you have two tubs fill the second one half full with same temp water and add about a half cup of ivory soap or some orvus paste. Place the wool in this tub for another ten minutes and the sqeeze again. While waiting I drain and fill the first tub this time to rinse. Let them soak for a little while and then squeeze again and if real dirty rinse a few more times always starting with fresh and same temperature water.
I don't sell mine as I only have the two but if they are young goats the fleece will be soft and as they get older it gets more coarse. The wool will be good I feel if it does not pull apart when you hold both ends of the lock and pull. If the wool has been setting around for along time it might retain the barn yard smell.
If the locks are real long spin from the fold. I suggest you buy one from them before buying more and see how you like it. It is a lot of work for any wool from the start.
Good luck and happy spinning. Carol