Washing Mohair

[phyllis]

This question has probably been asked and answered elsewhere, but I am not finding it.

I have been given a few kilograms of raw mohair, to wash it, would I follow the same processes as those I have read about for washing Merino?  Soaking in very hot water with 250ml per kg wool, for about half an hour- no agitation-, followed by draining and thorough rinsing in hot water [about 6 rinses], before spinning and laying out to dry?

[zed]

I tend to mostly wash small amounts of locks, so I'm not a fleece washing expert, but any instructions I've ever seen always have the rinse water at the same temperature the wash water has cooled down to (quite a few suggest starting them at the same temp at the same time so they cool equally). Your wool can felt if you alternate between hot and cold even if you don't agitate.

This is Ruth's guide to washing wool: feltingandfiberstudio.com/fibers/preparingfibers/

But, the grease on mohair is different to lanolin, which is a wax, so really, I'd suggest looking for specific mohair washing instructions. The method will also depend on whether you want to try to preserve the locks or not.
And feel free to share anything you find here

[MTRuth]

I have never washed mohair. Not sure what the difference would be. Zed has good suggestions.

[phyllis]

Many thanks. I used a 'haybox' to hold the hot washing water at a constant temperature while it soaked with detergent, so then used the same ratio of boiling water to cold [as in the washing water], for the rinsing. I'll post the results once it has dried. It has not felted- so that is a plus.

[Shepherdess]

Mohair doesn't felt fast like merino does so you have some grace there.