Cleaning cross stitch typically involves a gentle hand wash using cool water and mild soap to remove dirt, oils, and hoop marks, followed by careful drying and pressing.
Washing a completed cross stitch piece is a common step before framing or finishing. It helps to refresh the fabric, remove any residual oils from hands, dirt, or stubborn hoop marks. The key is to be gentle to avoid damaging the stitches or causing threads to bleed.
Steps for Washing Cross Stitch
Here's a breakdown of the process to clean your cross stitch:
- Prepare the Water: Fill a clean sink or basin with cool or lukewarm water. Avoid hot water, as it can encourage thread colours to bleed.
- Add Gentle Soap: Add a very small amount of a mild, pH-neutral soap. Special washes designed for delicate fabrics or cross stitch (like Soak) are ideal, but a tiny drop of gentle laundry detergent or baby shampoo can also work. Ensure the soap is fully dissolved.
- Submerge the Piece: Carefully place your cross stitch piece into the water. Make sure it is fully submerged.
- Gentle Swishing: As noted in the reference, "Place the piece into the water and give it a bit of a swish around, not too much though, you don't want to kind of pull it in too many directions or disturb the stitches." The goal is to allow the water and soap to work their magic with minimal physical agitation. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing. Let it soak for 15-30 minutes for average dirt, or up to an hour for more stubborn marks, occasionally swishing gently.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Drain the soapy water and refill the basin with clean, cool water. Gently swish the piece in the clean water to remove the soap. Repeat this rinsing process multiple times until no soap residue remains and the water runs clear.
- Remove Excess Water: Do not wring or twist the fabric. This can distort the stitches and the fabric weave. Instead, gently press the water out by squeezing the piece against the side of the basin or between your hands.
- Towel Dry: Lay a clean, dry towel flat. Place your cross stitch piece on top of the towel and roll the towel up with the cross stitch inside. Gently press on the rolled towel to absorb more water.
- Air Dry: Unroll the towel and remove the piece. Lay the cross stitch flat on a clean, dry surface (like a mesh drying rack, a clean towel on a table, or even a clean sheet on the floor) away from direct sunlight or heat. Allow it to air dry completely. Ensure it dries flat to help it keep its shape.
- Ironing (Optional): Once completely dry, if the fabric is still wrinkled, you can gently iron the piece. Place the cross stitch face down on a clean, soft towel or ironing board cover. Use a low to medium heat setting on your iron and iron the back of the piece. Use steam cautiously, as too much heat or moisture can sometimes still cause issues, although ironing from the back significantly reduces risk.
Tips for Best Results
- Test Colours: If you used bright or dark colours, especially reds or blues, you can test a small piece of the thread in water beforehand to check for bleeding. Some threads are colourfast, but others are not.
- Handle with Care: Always handle the wet fabric and stitches very gently.
- Cleanliness: Ensure your washing basin and towels are clean before starting.
By following these steps, you can effectively clean your cross stitch project while preserving the integrity of your stitches and fabric.
