Hi Mary Lou!! I have felted a few times, I use hot water, no soap, i was originally tought with soap but I have found it is better without it. I knit the wool loosely than throw it in the washing machine with a towl or jeans and was on hot water with cool rinse, keep an eye on it, you may have to run it through the washer a couple times, dont put it in the dryer, stretch it to size than lay it on a towel to dry, you can also steam iron it to help it to dry. Good Luck!!