Abstract: For conditioning baled material, such as wool, which is subject to taking a set upon being frozen or remaining stored for an extended period, steam is forced into the bale from two opposite sides for a short period of time, over a substantial part of the surface area of each of those sides. Thereafter, moisture-laden heated air under substantially higher pressures are forced into the bale for a longer period of time, in order to reduce the temperature of the steam and substantially uniformly distribute the heat. The steam and heated air introduction steps may be repeated, in alternation.