For felt makers, worldwide

Members Login

Current IFA members only.



Please contact the webmaster if you do not have a member login.

Discussion Group

Discussion Group? Forum? Bulletin Board? Call it what you like, it's here!
 Members Discussion Board :: General Feltmaking Topics
Board Index Latest Posts Welcome Guest   
 Subject :Vinegar Rinsing.. 04-02-2010 14:23:43 
AdminBen
Admin
Joined: 27-09-2007 10:37:45
Posts: 16
Location: 
 
In my experience feltmakers seem to be either passionate advocates of vinger rinsing or passionately against it. On different workshops I have been told that it is done to neutralise the soap and/or to help prevent moth attack. If that is the case, why are there such differing views of vinegar rinsing?

Lesley
IP Logged
Ben, Evolution Computing
 Subject :Re:Vinegar Rinsing.. 04-02-2010 14:24:42 
AdminBen
Admin
Joined: 27-09-2007 10:37:45
Posts: 16
Location: 
 
Hi Lesley

When I lived in Rossendale many years ago I visited an industrial archeological site where green baize had been made for covering snooker tables. The vats there were filled with human urine from tea total villagers to finish the cloth which was beaten with heavy wooden 'boots' to soften, full and finish. I don't use urine myself but am a great champion of distilled malt vinegar in weak solution and a meat tenderiser to finish the felt. Whether it's moths or the ph value it works for me!

Lynn
IP Logged
Ben, Evolution Computing
 Subject :Re:Vinegar Rinsing.. 04-02-2010 14:25:29 
AdminBen
Admin
Joined: 27-09-2007 10:37:45
Posts: 16
Location: 
 
All I know is that vinegar in the water used to rinse your hair makes it silky and shiiney and that vinegar in water used to rinse windows makes them shiney and takes away the blears. My guess is that vinegar helps to take out soap and that this would do the same in felt. I did try boiling felt in vinegar but it made no difference at all.

Deborah
IP Logged
Ben, Evolution Computing
 Subject :Re:Vinegar Rinsing.. 08-03-2010 04:17:26 
mem2620
Novice
Joined: 03-03-2010 16:28:24
Posts: 1
Location: 
It may be entirely incorrect, but my understanding is that vinegar helps close the follicles and smooth the scales of hair/wool. As the surface is smoother it reflects light more, and feels nicer. I have noticed this with my hair and with felt. Over the years (of washing my hair) I have also noticed that if you do the vinegar rinse beofre rinsing the soap out properly, it makes your hair a bit dull and limp...could be the same for wool, but I have not tried this theory out yet.

Maybe the vinegar non-rinsers don't like the smell? If you leave the vinegar on your windowsill in a dark, closed glass bottle for a few weeks and keep replacing geranium leaves, it smells divine!
IP Logged
 Subject :Re:Vinegar Rinsing.. 05-07-2010 09:17:46 
abithomas
Novice
Joined: 05-08-2009 11:26:13
Posts: 1
Location: London
 
That geranium leaf tip sounds like a great idea!
IP Logged
 Subject :Re:Vinegar Rinsing.. 11-08-2010 21:24:36 
spittingfurball
1 Star
Joined: 21-09-2008 19:19:04
Posts: 3
Location: 
To rinse or not is upto the maker.

It has been used in traditional feltmaking as soap being produced in the earlier days of felting had animal fat as an ingredient and if you have ever tried to get dripping off your hands you know how tough it can be. Modern soaps are refined to make them easy to rinse out of cloths and off skin.

Personally I only use white distilled vinegar on items requiring a high volume of soap to get the felting going. Yes the soap will encourage the opening of the cuticle but then so does hot water. The use of a small quantity of vinegar in place of fabric conditioner works on washing to remove any soap residue from the garments actually works, as it is usually and deposits of grease or soap that make them feel scratchy, it will do the same for your felt.

If you don't want to use vinegar add a squirt of lemon juice to your final rinse
IP Logged
Page # 


Powered by ccBoard

© 2008-2010 International Feltmakers Association
Site development and maintenance by Evolution Computing.

 
Joomla 1.5 Templates by Joomlashack