[Dans]

Hi all,

So I've finally got some crafting times and managed to do a small pegloom rug. I would quite like to use it as a mat to sit on outside and would like to keep some (well a lot) of the lanolin in for it's waterproofing. I worked in the grease but would like to give the rug a bit of a wash. Is there a way to wash without losing the lanolin?

My previous attempts at washing fleece, or rugs made in the grease, has been the hot hot water method I got from here. (Ecover in a bath of hot water, no bubbles, 20 mins, lift out, refil with hot water and ecover, 20 mins, lift out, refil with hot water only, 20 mins, lift out and leave to dry).

Thanks

Dans

[Louise Gaunt]

Lanolin needs really hot water to wash it out, so you could wash the rug in warm water and some soap, soak it fir a bit and then rinse in cool water. This should get rid of dirt but leave the lanolin still in the wool.

[SallyintNorth]

As Louise says.  You need heat and detergent to shift grease, so use less of either to wash it without removing all the lanolin

[Dans]

Thanks I'll give it a go Weds as we should have good drying weather then.

Dans

[Dans]

Well I went for warm rather than hot water, with plenty of ecover. It cleaned up quite nicely but now it has dried it has a musty smell. I don't remember this happening with the last 'in the grease' rug I made, but that was a few years back. Anything I can do to rid the smell? Wash it again? It was a cool spell when I washed it so it took about 3 days to dry, not sure if that made it more smelly.

Dans

[Lesley Silvester]

That seems the most likely, Dans. If you can hang it outside for a couple of days it may clear. If not, you'll have to wash it again.

[Dans]

Happy to say that a few days inside (airing cabinet and then spare room) and it is smelling fine! Now to get making some more 

Dans