[Cob] Wool Batting for Insulation

[Amanda Peck]

Some years back there was a thread on this here.  IIRC the idea was that one 
wanted fresh-off-the-sheep wool for insulation.  Fewer problems with 
insects--moths don't like it.

Wool is pretty fireproof--they use a wool wrap for the purpose in otherwise 
all-cotton futons, make hearth rugs out of wool, etc..  Don't know if the 
lanolin would increase the flammability, I do know that some varieties of 
sweaters are considered nearly waterproof because of the natural 
oils--always attributed to the type of sheep, not the lack of 
processing--does that make sense?

I have friends who felt wool.  I.E., they go through all the trouble to 
spin, then knit or crochet something and then dump it in the washing machine 
to agitate for a good long time.  They end up with a much much smaller and 
very dense tangled fabric.  Hot water may make the process faster, but cold 
will work, I understand.  Might be wonderful for insulation, but a whole lot 
more expensive.

Obviously wool can be washed without going from a woman's size 12 to a 
little girl's size 6 (she really liked the skirt--we had to replace the 
elastic in the waist).


..............
Dulane wrote:

Glad to hear there might be some interest. People are welcome to email me
direct. I would forward the emails to my daughter. Washing the wool will be
interesting...but it just so happens they are on a creek, and may be able to
rechannel water temporarily for this kind of project. Perhaps use a big tank
for washing.

I heard you could put the wool in burlap bags and just throw it in the creek
with a rope on it...but I don't know the environmental implications on some
of this. (My daughter is a wetland biologist...and they are very
concientious.)

I think the wool could be used for chinking and roof insulation. Maybe there
are other uses too

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