Bleaching

A metal bleach bin at Early's Witney Mill, 2002.

In bleaching the stockful is passed through a bath containing a solution of hydrogen peroxide, a stabiliser and a moth proofing agent. After passing through the bath the stockful passes through squeeze rollers and as much of the solution as possible is squeezed out and replaced in the bath to be used again. The stockful is then 'listed' (folded) onto a flat bed truck for about 12 hours to allow the bleaching process to continue. It will then be put either through a mangle or placed in a spin dryer to remove all excess dampness left in it. The stockful is now ready for tentering.

The hydrogen peroxide method of bleaching is odourless and permanent; the old method of sulphur staving gave the blankets a powerful and characteristic smell, but they also lost their whiteness fairly quickly.

Mike French