Wool Soaker Question

[lifeguard]

So two pairs of DH's wool dress pants have been ruined (yes, that's over a $100 - I'm trying not to cry) by being washed & dried on hot (not my fault!).

Anyway, if I continued to felt them up some do you think they would work for soakers? Anyone have a pattern?

[kaylasclothkits]

They will as long as you can strip out any dry cleaning chemicals and soap and fabric softener that may be in them and then lanolize them

[lifeguard]

Super - thanks. I think I'm going to try to make them with 2 layers. Any suggestions for stripping? Is just hot water with detergent sufficient?