This tutorial shows you how to use a plunger to speed up the felting process.
Felting without a washing machine. Felt dolls toys or figurines. Run through the agitation cycle. Put the wool pieces into the dryer without the tennis balls.
If the water comes out very dirty or soapy you will need to do a second rinse same as the first. The great news is that you can felt by hand using your sink a bucket a washtub or even the bathtub. Wash warm at 40C104F with normal spin but no pre-wash.
All you need is hot water and agitation. With washing gloves on lower your tubs of fleece into the water and push the fibres down gently to saturate. Under a microscope animal fibers look a bit like closed scales on a pinecone.
Although you can wash felt in a washing machine you should only wash it on delicate or gentle cycles. If your washing machine does not have a hot rinse option and since cold water immediately stops the felting process stay nearby and stop the washing machine before the rinse cycle begins. Acrylic polyester nylon cotton silk or yarns with only a percentage of wool WILL NOT FELT.
Obviously this technique of felting is for a small object such as a hat. Set your washer to the the lowest water setting using hotcold. Also to know can Felt be washed.
Its SALE time on Craftsy. Tuft out the felt until youre happy with how it looks. Be aware that wools labeled superwash have been treated to prevent felting.