I use some of the fleeces from my sheep to spin into yarn, and through a process of trial and error have come up with a preparation process that works for me. I don't like to over complicate things, so try and keep preparation to a minimum.
I sort the locks into baskets, making sure I keep all the tips and cut ends aligned, this helps save time later on. I arrange them in layers until the baskets are full. I do three baskets at a time to save on water.
I then put two buckets in the bath and fill with hot water, it has to be as hot as you can as that helps the lanolin come out. Have them both the same temperature to avoid felting. One bucket just has a squeeze of ordinary washing up liquid in it. I'm not looking to scour the fleece completely, I just like it clean enough to be able to spin. I try to keep some lanolin in there as I don't see the point of removing it all then having to spray oil back on the help spinning.
I submerge a basket in the soapy water for about five minutes, I don't really agitate although I may drain the dirt from the bottom then re-submerge as my baskets have a solid bottom. Then I drain and put the basket into the rinse water for five minutes. Once it's been rinsed just gently squeeze out the water.
Do not chuck the bucket water down the drain as the lanolin will clog your pipes! It is good to use on the garden if needed.
Then I spread the layers of locks onto a towel to dry, usually it doesn't take more than a day or two, you can turn them to help the process. As you can see the locks are much cleaner, but not squeaky clean. I've found any VM (vegetable matter) easily comes out with a flicker comb once they're dry and is far easier than trying to get it all out beforehand, especially as my sheep are like walking hayracks!!
This is Parsley's fleece and all I do with it once it's dry is flick the locks and spin from that. Once the yarn has been spun I can use some Unicorn Power Scour in the water I use to set the twist to get out any remaining lanolin.
