Washing and dehairing pygora

Dehairing:
Dehairing is easier with very intact locks.  Unless the fiber is extremely greasy, I usually have a easier time with
raw fiber rather then washed.  Washing makes the locks less defined and does some interlocking of the hairs no
matter how careful you are.  Raw fiber seems to make the guardhair a little more "sticky" to my tools and fingers
and it pulls out easier.  If you are going to be dehairing by hand, I recommend you  stack the locks,  which really
cuts down on the time it takes to dehair and the fiber that is wasted.

Double row mini combs work well on some times of pygora  for sheared fleece and are what I use for my plucked
and combed fiber to get out the few remaining guardhairs and the noils created by the comb.  My tool of choice
for most fleeces (that have to be sheared) is the flick carder.  I use the teeth of the carder to make one quick
pass to open the lock and then I use the top edge of the carder (the wooden part) to do the actual dehairing.  I
am in the process of making a series of pictures to demonstrate this slighty barbarian (although fast and
effective) method and will post them soon.

There is also a low tech (although much slower) way to de-hair using just your fingers.  I did this back when I
didn't have any tools and it still comes in handy when examining fleeces for ease of dehairing without my trusty
flick carder.  This works best on fleeces that have intact, completely un-matted locks with short guard hair (I find it
easier to do this with unwashed fleece).  Pull out a single lock of fiber.  In my terms the uncut end is the "tip" and
the cut part is the "end".  Holding the middle of the lock tightly with your right hand, run your (left hand) fingers
from the middle to the tip to get rid of any loose guard hairs that are sticking to it.  Then switch your hands and
hold in the middle with your left hand, about 1 1/2 inches from the "end".  Pinch the end gently and pull slowly.  
You will have a bunch of guard hairs come out first followed (probably) by some good fiber.  Once the tips of the
guard hairs are out you can move your left hand to pinch the good fibers and finish pulling out the guard hair.  
Discard guard hair and then pull out the loosened good fiber to get it out of the way for the next pull.  Repeat
until no more guard hair comes out.  


Updated 2-2-07.  I recommend you borrow, rather then buy dehairing tools.  Dehair an oz or so of fiber and you
will never say a bad word about the cost of having it professionally dehaired.  I've tried 3 mills and have found one
that I am absolutely overjoyed with the quality of the product I get back.  Email me and I'll tell you who it is.  They
also take care of the washing for us.

Washing:
I've tried many techniques and give this option as the safest, low labor way to wash pygora.  You will need some
lingerie bags when washing sheared locks (small mesh laundry bags that zip up.  They are about the size of a
gallon bag).  The bags eliminate excessive handling of the fleece and lower the risk of felting.  Load each one
with about a gallon bag (loosely packed) sized amount of dry fleece.  If you are washing plucked, combed or
dehaired fiber, roll the fiber up in tulle instead (just as a added percaution to keep the fiber from moving at all)
and tie the tubes with string.  Always try a small amount first to make sure you aren't felting it.

Washing machine technique:  Rules: Never fill with fleece in it.  Turn off so Fleece doesn't go through
agitation cycle.
Step 1:Put in a large loads worth of laundry detergent and then fill with hot water.  Put in 2 or 3 bags.  (Yes your
machine will hold more, but these are very dirty compared to the clothes you wash.  Give the dirt somewhere to
go.)  If the bags don't submerge, I take a broom handle and gently push them down till they go under.  Let soak
for 30 min.  (remember, the machine needs to be off!)  Then turn dial to drain and spin.  Turn machine on and let
it remove the water from the fleece.  Take fleece out.
Step 2: Repeat step one.  soak 30 min
Step 3: Repeat step one without detergent. soak 15 min
Step 4: repeat step one without detergent.  soak 15 min.  Water should be clear.
Step 5: remove fleece from bags and gently spread out on a well ventilated surface to dry.