How To Wash Your Cross Stitch Piece

csc0312

I never wash my finished cross stitch craft because:
(1) I scared that the color will fade away
(2) I scared that the floss will come out
(3）I actually dunno how to wash it........

In sister forum, many sisters said that actually the finished crafts needed to be washed, then I search online and found the following article:

How To Wash Your Cross Stitch Piece

Every completed project should be laundered before framing orfinishing regardless of the care taken during stitching. Natural oilsfrom your hands enter the fabric during stitching and will eventuallyappear as stains. Any fabric that isnt clean is also subject todiscoloration within a few years.

First, lets cover some basic care instructions that will reduce the possibility of staining.


Washyour hands frequently and avoid using lotions or perfumes. Removecross-stitching from the hoop when not stitching. Store your project ina bag or sewing basket between stitching sessions. Avoid eating,drinking, or smoking while working on your project.

Washing instructions:

• Each cross-stitch piece should be washed separately by hand. NEVERwash cross-stitched pieces with other laundry or with other completedprojects.
• Place your needlework in cold or lukewarm water with a milddishwashing liquid or Ivory Flakes™. Swish it gently by hand and allowit to soak for 15 minutes. Any stain that requires extra effort may bebrushed with a soft toothbrush. DO NOT scrub.
• Rinse cross-stitch in cool water several times making sure the final rinse water is free of suds and perfectly clear.
• Place the piece between two clean white towels or between thefolds of one large one. NEVER allow the piece to touch upon itself orleave damp cross-stitch folded.
• Roll the towel(s) and squeeze to absorb most of the water. NEVER wring your completed project.
• If there are fold lines or creases in your cross stitch, checkto make sure they are thoroughly clean. Avoid the application of heatbecause it will set most stains making them permanent.
• Place the damp/dry piece face down on a clean towel. Iron onthe back side until totally dry using a pressing motion with mediumheat. The use of a pressing cloth such as light-weight muslin willprotect metallic and synthetic fibers.
• To remove creases it may be necessary to use the steam settingon your iron. Some fabrics such as linen may require using the hightemperature. Your project will not be damaged as long as you use apressing cloth.
• Any crease that doesnt respond to ironing may be removed by blocking.

Avoid the use of harsh detergents containing phosphates that may notbe totally water soluble. Laundry products designed for hand washinggarments are not recommended for needlework. Many of them may not bebiodegradable making them inappropriate for an heirloom you wish topreserve.

WARNING:Chlorine bleach diluted with water seems to have little effect on DMC™floss but will definitely remove the color from Aida. Obvious stainsshould be treated with white vinegar or lemon juice prior to washing.

Scotchgard™ and products of this type are not recommended for use on cross-stitch as
theingredients may cause a chemical reaction with the dyes in the floss.It is preferable to frame your competed project under glass to preventsoiling. When using another finishing technique simply be sure to useonly washable materials; then if the piece becomes soiled it can easilybe cleaned using the same washing process.

Although most Aida and even weave fabrics are made of cottonor linen, new fabrics are continually appearing on the market. In theevent that one of your projects is stitched on silk or wool requiringdry cleaning, be sure to advise your local dry cleaner to exercise carewith any dry cleaning chemicals. Those containing benzene and otherchemicals may react with the dyes in the floss resulting in majordamage to your needlework.

You have created a thing of beauty with nothing morethan a small piece of fabric, some floss, and a needle.  With your ownhands you have stitched a priceless heirloom. Care for it and it willbe enjoyed for generations.

I think I have to wash my unframed finished crafts.

Yokra

Dziekuję. Zawsze piorę swoje prace po ukończeniu

ranti

Thanks for the advice

Hamsteren09

Very helpful. Thank you for posting it.
I remember that more attention also needed for the colour combination (example dark red with white) and if the threads are hand-dyed or not, since hand-dyed threads are not colour fast.

To tell the truth, I never wash my finish projects, even some of them take more than 1 year to finish it.

csc0312

Do you mean it is not a compulsory to wash the finished craft?

If yes, then I also dont want to wash because the washing process sure take up a lot of time......

Hamsteren09

Its not compulsory. As long as its clean, then its fine. If its a little bit dusty then you can just dust it off and thats it.

Here in Europe, therere lots of wine accident, where the stitcher drinking wine while stitching and then sometimes the wine spill on the fabric. Then they have to wash the wine off and washing the stitching as well.

So, keep your stitching and your hand clean while stitching then you dont have to wash it at all.

csc0312

I see, thanks for the advice, Jenny!

Hamsteren09

You are most welcome :)

nadinex

I have always washed my finished pieces but I have only used DMC, Anchor and madeira up till now. don;t know about the hand-dyed thread and others if the colours will fade

MACA

Many thanks for the advice !!!

StitchAndi

If i stitch a piece with hand dyed fabric or fibers I do not was it.

If I stitch something just with DMC on aida or linen I almost always wash the finished piece.

Almost all fabrics are treated with sizing during production, that sizing along wiht the natural oils from your hands can stain a piece of needlework over time.

angel-666

Thanks for the advice