White wool batts

[mitten]

Does anyone in Canada know of a good source of very white wool - either roving or batts for making the soft underbellies of animals? Corriedale is my fave but Maori or Romney would work well too. Blends of those work.  I've been using Merino for the pure white colour but it is too fine and thready looking.  Most of the naturals I've found are too yellow  Is there a way to bleach wool without ruining it? 

Thanks... appreciate any help.

[Ann @ frabjous fabrica]

I can't help with your query, but would love to see an enlargement of your thumbnail pictur4e. It looks fascinating.

[MTRuth]

I can't help with the source but natural wool color is often not really white. There is a commercial process for bleaching wool but I don't know of a way to do it at home.

[lyn]

Yes, there is a very bright white merino wool top - have you tried hand carding a small amount of it until it resembles cotton wool?

[Ann @ frabjous fabrica]

Jul 24, 2024 6:49:25 GMT lyn said:

Yes, there is a very bright white merino wool top - have you tried hand carding a small amount of it until it resembles cotton wool?

That would do it, but if you still find the fibres too long, cut them in half first.  Alternatively blend the merino with one of the other wools you're using.  I believe that you rarely find anything a flat colour without other tints and shades getting a look in in nature (apart from pastures which have been heavily fertilised to an eye aching green and even then you get "weeds")  Oops sorry, another soap box moment.
🤐 

[Shepherdess]

I am not sure how they whiten wool commercially but bleach will weaken and/or dissolve wool. Bleach can also end up yellowing things that are white. Different breeds have different whites. 

It might pay to go to an agricultural fair with a fleece competition to see the different breeds. It would also give you a contact for the wool you're looking for.

One thing they used to do to make white whiter was adding bluing in the rinse water.

The other place to look would be the pet store or a pet grooming place to see what they have for whitening discoloured fur.

[mitten]

Thanks to all who gave these helpful suggestions...I'll try the Merino trick, and even try a bit of blueing to see if that helps...Hadn't thought of the pet store...There is a really nice white in the U.S. that I've used but the price and shipping is
very prohibitive.

My thumbnail picture is off the internet...There were a raft of these photo adaptations of Degas and other artist's paintings featuring cats..can't remember the name of the site.