Animal Fiber: Wool
History of Animal Fiber
The history of animal fiber use in the Old Stone Age has long been lost to time. It is only mentioned that sheepskin and wool were used for a long time before the method of spinning animal fiber into yarn and weaving it into fabric was discovered, and there is no evidence confirming that animal fiber (wool) was the first fiber that humans knew how to use.
Properties of Animal Fiber
Animal fiber is part of the animal's hide, containing a protein called keratin, a fully complex chemical compound. Keratin is made up of about 18 types of amino acids linked together in a long chain, called a polypeptide chain. It contains cystine, made up of thiol (SH) groups that form disulfide bonds, linking this type of protein together. This protein contains sulfur atoms in its molecules, and its molecular structure consists of long, twisted strands running parallel to one another, held together by hydrogen bonds. The arrangement of the molecules is not very orderly, due to the cystine linkages containing sulfur atoms in the molecule, and this irregular molecular arrangement gives animal fiber good elasticity, resistance to wrinkling, and good recovery.
Wool Fabric and Its Practical Uses
Wool fabric has many practical uses, especially in countries with cold climates, where it is commonly used to make fine garments such as suits and coats. Wool fabric has many good properties, such as good elasticity, resistance to wrinkling, good absorption of water and moisture, and warmth for the wearer. It irons easily and holds its shape well, and is more suitable for dry cleaning than wet washing, since the fibers stretch and shrink easily, causing the shape to be lost.
Care and Cleaning of Wool Fabric
When a wool garment gets dirty or dusty, gently brush it off—dirt and dust will come off easily. If it gets stained with water, shake it off quickly, then brush it again once it's dry. The brush used should have soft bristles, and brushing should only be done during dry cleaning. To preserve wool for a long time, dry cleaning is the best cleaning method. If wet washing is necessary, use mild soap or detergent with warm water, gently kneading by hand without wringing. Do not leave the fabric soaking in wash water for a long time, as the fibers will temporarily shrink. If using a bleaching agent, use a mild one such as hydrogen peroxide; do not use chlorine-based bleach, as it will degrade the quality of the wool fiber. When drying, lay the garment flat on a towel to help absorb water, and shape the garment neatly. Do not hang it to dry, as this will stretch the wool garment out of shape. Dry it in a shaded, well-ventilated area, not in direct sunlight. When ironing with damp heat, place a cloth over the wool fabric before pressing; do not iron with heavy pressure, as this will stretch the fabric. The iron's temperature should be set to low or medium; if too high a heat is used, the fabric will become stiff and turn yellow.