Green Building Forum - Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation Tue, 19 Dec 2023 05:15:15 +0000 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4614#Comment_4614 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4614#Comment_4614 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 21:28:13 +0100 a.bijl
I am stuck on the question of a suitable green treatment for moth-proofing the fleeces. Anybody got some experience or ideas about what and how to do this?]]>
Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4615#Comment_4615 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4615#Comment_4615 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 21:37:41 +0100 biffvernon Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4627#Comment_4627 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4627#Comment_4627 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:38:28 +0100 Rachel ]]> Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4638#Comment_4638 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4638#Comment_4638 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 14:37:14 +0100 biffvernon Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4640#Comment_4640 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4640#Comment_4640 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 15:24:15 +0100 Rachel Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4659#Comment_4659 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4659#Comment_4659 Fri, 13 Jul 2007 12:29:09 +0100 Dominic Cooney would the lanolin already naturally present in the fleece protect from moths? do sheep suffer from moth attack?

please note I am not an expert in this, but I have some unwashed fleece from my sheep that I am willing to use as a trial.
:rasta:]]>
Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4661#Comment_4661 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4661#Comment_4661 Fri, 13 Jul 2007 15:29:12 +0100 biffvernon Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4663#Comment_4663 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4663#Comment_4663 Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:20:40 +0100 a.bijl
biffvernon - Borax sounds interesting but for the question of how long this treatment would remain effective.

Rachel - I hesitate to contact Thermafleece because I doubt whether they would give away their trade secrets, but it may be worth a try.

Dominic Cooney - I think sheep are attacked by moths which is one of the hazzards avoided by using sheep dip (or the newer spray-on treatments) and that gets done yearly. Unwashed fleece would have some protection from the last treatment before shearing, but not for long I think, and unwashed fleece do have a pungent smell.

Borax seems the best bet so far. Might one extend its life by wrapping the fleece in plastic bags (to lie between rafters) to retain the effectiveness of the salts; or will moths or other insects simply chew through the plastic and ventilate the salts away? Also bagging the fleece might lead to condensation problems within the bags.

So I remain unsure as to what to do. I will welcome further suggestions and ideas.]]>
Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4667#Comment_4667 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4667#Comment_4667 Fri, 13 Jul 2007 17:12:22 +0100 Rachel Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4669#Comment_4669 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4669#Comment_4669 Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:25:40 +0100 Mark Siddall
Mark]]>
Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4674#Comment_4674 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4674#Comment_4674 Fri, 13 Jul 2007 21:25:04 +0100 martin samphire It is worth looking into if you have an application for it as farmers are getting an absolute pittance for their wol this year and have been only to pleased to sell it to me instead for a small premium over what they would have got from the woolboard aalthough they are not strictly allowed to do this.
I reckon i will be able to get it together for about half the price of thermaflece.]]>
Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4676#Comment_4676 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4676#Comment_4676 Fri, 13 Jul 2007 21:42:07 +0100 funcrusher Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4681#Comment_4681 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4681#Comment_4681 Fri, 13 Jul 2007 22:48:51 +0100 biffvernon Posted By: a.bijlI think sheep are attacked by moths ...This conjours up curious pictures in my mind.:bigsmile:]]> Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4726#Comment_4726 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=4726#Comment_4726 Sun, 15 Jul 2007 14:57:40 +0100 Nick Parsons
N]]>
Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=5277#Comment_5277 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=5277#Comment_5277 Fri, 03 Aug 2007 17:11:04 +0100 Keith Hall Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=5314#Comment_5314 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=5314#Comment_5314 Sat, 04 Aug 2007 20:52:22 +0100 martin samphire Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=5315#Comment_5315 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=5315#Comment_5315 Sat, 04 Aug 2007 21:00:59 +0100 tony Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=5316#Comment_5316 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=5316#Comment_5316 Sat, 04 Aug 2007 21:03:29 +0100 biffvernon Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=5339#Comment_5339 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=5339#Comment_5339 Sun, 05 Aug 2007 16:49:17 +0100 Rachel Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=8209#Comment_8209 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=8209#Comment_8209 Fri, 19 Oct 2007 20:41:04 +0100 richy would this mke it moth proof?]]> Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=8226#Comment_8226 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=8226#Comment_8226 Fri, 19 Oct 2007 22:32:47 +0100 Nick Parsons
Cassocks?]]>
Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=8233#Comment_8233 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=8233#Comment_8233 Sat, 20 Oct 2007 09:25:59 +0100 biffvernon Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=8247#Comment_8247 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=8247#Comment_8247 Sat, 20 Oct 2007 18:53:45 +0100 Gervase Webb Posted By: richyI think the crofters on the Isle of Harris urinate on the wool as part of the process of making harris tweed? would this mke it moth proof?
No, but it was a good way of getting one over on the English gentry who bought the stuff!:wink:]]>
Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=29319#Comment_29319 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=29319#Comment_29319 Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:18:15 +0100 Eileen
Thanks]]>
Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=29351#Comment_29351 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=29351#Comment_29351 Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:16:12 +0100 biffvernon Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=39262#Comment_39262 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=39262#Comment_39262 Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:36:20 +0000 Shepherd
With regard to unwashed fleeces full of lanolin - I once worked in a wool processing factory and we were sent a batch of fleece that had attracted flies - the sacks were crawling with maggots when we opened them.]]>
Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=40322#Comment_40322 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=40322#Comment_40322 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:44:06 +0000 earthshipally ]]> Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=85779#Comment_85779 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=85779#Comment_85779 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:01:43 +0100 bathbomb
I am NOT here to advertise... want to say that first, but was concerned to read that people may not be aware that Borax is indeed toxic. I am happy to supply MSDS sheets to anyone who wants to read up a bit... it's a fab product but as with many naturally occurring substances it does need to be used cautiously. I sell it as you have probably gathered.

Everyone should follow some basic safety measures when using it. Pregnant or hoping to be persons shouldnt use it at all in my humble opinion. The last thing I want to do is put anyone off but I felt compelled to say something. Hope that's ok!

Out of interest, my customer has asked for instructions for treating fleeces... we sell ingredients for making soaps bath bombs and the like and natural cleaning products so I have to confess to being a bit stumped regarding this one and dont want to pass on any incorrect advice nor do I simply want to go back to her and say I don't know and can't help...

Can I pick your brains on behalf of the customer? Borax I know can be made into a solution but doesnt completely dissolve - is it a solution that you are using? Or are you applying in powder/granule form? Any comments would be gratefully received, am off for a good look round, fascinating!]]>
Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=85807#Comment_85807 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=85807#Comment_85807 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:14:57 +0100 biffvernon
Things either dissolve or they don't. Borax dissolves in water and if you put enough of it in the water you get a saturated solution and any more won't dissolve. When the wool is subsequently dried the borax precipitates out and stays on the wool. For best results start with a saturated solution - you keep adding borax to the water until no more dissolves, then stop.

Toxicity data are freely available on t'internet from many sources such as http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Chemical.jsp?Rec_Id=PC34355#Toxicity]]>
Treatment for sheep's fleece roof insulation http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=258279#Comment_258279 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464&Focus=258279#Comment_258279 Mon, 22 May 2017 11:52:28 +0100 duncanwhite