Worsted, Backwashing

WORSTED, BACKWASHING

When scoured wool has been partly processed, it undergoes a further washing process carried out to give the wool the cleanest possible appearance. This process is known as back-washing, and is carried out on wool in sliver form, e.g., carded, prepared or combed. The machine has two bowls, the first with a weak alkali detergent to cleanse the wool, and the second bowl to rinse and wash away dirt, etc. The slivers are fed to the machine from cams and after washing and drying are passed through a gill-box. If backwashing precedes combing a small percentage of oil may be added to the wool after washing and prior to entering the pins of the gill.