“From Stains to Sparkling: How To Wash Crochet Clothes?

There is nothing better than having a warm crochet clothes carefully knitted with love and care from your loved ones. Crochet clothes are made with great intimacy because of the amount of careful dedication that needs to be put behind each knot. Wearing these clothes is all fine and well, but that one time you spilled your drink or food on those precious clothes can spell disaster!

So how to wash crochet clothes? It is never easy to see your clothes ruined, especially ones like crochet clothes. However, the good news is that you can wash crochet clothes to look brand new again! The bad news, it might be a little more complicated than washing your regular clothes. The same love and dedication that was put into making crochet clothes also need to be put into washing them. So if you want to know how to wash them, you have come to the right place!

Key Takeaways

• Know the whole process of washing them properly and follow each step without skipping.
• The aftercare for crochet matters the most to ensure they stay better throughout the years.
• Take note of the methods for washing and maintaining it properly.

How to Wash Crochet Items Safely?

It is always recommended to clean the crochet items with hand wash instead of machine wash. It is very simple to do, here’s how you do it easily and effectively:

• Soft water is recommended for washing. If your tap water is hard, you can add a teaspoon of baking soda to the washing basin to soften it.
• When washing colored woolen items, it is crucial to avoid using bleaching powders. These powders can cause discoloration and damage to the fabric. Instead, opt for a gentle detergent suitable for woolen.
• For expensive woolen and silk yarn, it is advisable to use kid’s shampoo or bath foam during the washing process. These products are designed to be gentle on delicate fabrics and help maintain their quality.
• If you want to enhance the tenderness of angora garments, add a teaspoon of glycerin to the water during the final stage of rinsing. This step will help retain the softness of the fabric.
• Crocheted fabrics are often sensitive to strong chemicals in detergents. To wash them safely, prepare a soap solution by mixing 2 grams of soap with 1 liter of water. This mild solution will effectively clean the fabric without causing damage.
• When washing crocheted clothes, avoid rubbing them vigorously. Instead, gently squeeze the fabric to remove excess water. Rubbing can cause pilling, which is the formation of small balls of fiber on the surface of the fabric.
• It is important not to let your items soak for an extended period. Additionally, use cool water instead of hot water for washing crocheted garments. Hot water can cause the fabric to lose its shape, and different types of crocheting yarns may react differently to hot soaking. Therefore, it is best to play it safe and use cool water for any crocheted product.
• If your clothes have stains, it is necessary to use a higher concentration of detergent for gentle washing. This concentrated solution helps soak the stains without affecting the clean areas of the garment. Leave the clothes to soak for 10-15 minutes before proceeding with the standard wash.
• The process of washing crocheted garments should involve two stages. Firstly, soak the garment in lukewarm water with a suitable detergent. Then, wash the fabric gently without causing friction. After removing stains, avoid twisting the item but instead lightly wring out the excess water. Let the garment rest in a sink or empty basin for 20 minutes, allowing any remaining moisture to drain naturally.
• If you are concerned about color loss during washing, follow the standard washing method. However, after washing, immerse the item in clean cold water for a day. This step helps minimize the risk of color fading.
• When rinsing woolen garments, ensure the water temperature is the same as that used for washing. Abrupt temperature changes can lead to the formation of pills on the surface of the wool. Consistency in temperature during the washing and rinsing process helps maintain the quality of the fabric.

Important Tips to Remember for Washing Crochet Items

These are the essential tips you must need to get the best out of your crochet product and increase its lifetime.

Ensure to refer to the yarn label for specific instructions

It is essential to review the yarn label for guidance on machine washing suitability. Generally, acrylic yarns are more resilient in machine washes and should be treated on the cold, gentle/hand wash cycle using a mild detergent. Most of these yarns can be dried on a low setting. Opt for organic or dye and fragrance-free options when washing items for babies, as natural and organic choices offer a superior experience, reduce the need for soap replenishment, and minimize plastic usage. Explore various alternatives for an expanded selection of excellent options.

Safeguard fibers with a lingerie bag or pillowcase

This valuable tip is particularly useful for yarns that are machine washable but require additional care. Utilizing a lingerie bag or pillowcase shields the yarn from potential stretching or harm during the wash, instilling peace of mind. These bags are available in various sizes, facilitating the washing of smaller blankets if desired.

When uncertain, resort to hand washing.

For utmost caution, hand washing with cold water and a mild detergent, followed by flat drying, is the safest approach. Choose this method when unsure or unaware of the yarn used.

Employ blocking and reshaping techniques.

When laundering a garment or an item that has been previously blocked, it is crucial to lay it flat for drying and reshape it accordingly. Yarn has a tendency to stretch when wet, underscoring the importance of reshaping and ensuring it remains flat until completely dry.

Aftercare for Your Crochet after Washing

When it comes to drying your crocheted items, it’s important to avoid hanging them vertically as this can lead to deformation. Instead, opt for a horizontal drying method to maintain their shape and quality. Carefully lay out your crocheted pieces on a flat surface such as a table, drying rack, or an ironing board. Make sure to smooth out any folds and shape the collar and sleeves correctly. Prior to placing the wet item, it’s advisable to position a thick towel underneath to absorb excess moisture.

If you have a portable dryer, choose a well-ventilated room for its placement. Avoid drying your crocheted items near heat sources like radiators, heaters, fireplaces, or direct sunlight exposure. These heat sources can potentially cause damage to the delicate fibers of the crocheted fabric. When the drying process is executed correctly, ironing may not be necessary. However, if you find it necessary to use an iron, take precautions to avoid damaging the crocheted garment. Adjust your iron to the lowest heat setting possible, or use a layer of gauze between the iron and the crocheted fabric. Alternatively, utilize the steam function on your iron if available. In the absence of a steam function, you can place a moistened piece of gauze on top of the crocheted item and iron it from a distance of approximately one centimeter.

Safe Way to Wash a Crochet Blanket

Washing crochet differs from one product to another. For example, there are 2 ways to safely wash the crochet blanket. One is by hand and the other one is by machine. Follow them properly for optimal results.

Method 1: Wash by Hand

• The first way to wash a crocheted blanket is by hand washing it. Whether you made the blanket yourself or received it as a gift, follow these steps. In my opinion, it’s the best way to wash delicate items like crochet gifts.
• Follow washing instructions on the yarn packaging! If you made the blanket by hand, the wrapper on the yarn will tell you how it should be treated. Each brand specifies how you should go about washing and cleaning your finished crocheted project. You will find that most yarns CAN be washed in a washing machine, but it’s often safer to wash them by hand. It is not recommended to wash wool in the washer, the yarn will be a mess when you remove it. Find your label (if there is one) and follow the care instructions.
• Fill a large bucket or basin halfway with cool water. Leave enough space in the container for the blanket to fit in without sloshing water out of it.
• Mix in gentle shampoo. I recommend using a couple of teaspoons of baby shampoo or gentle soap in the water. Mix it together with a spoon or with your hands. You won’t necessarily see suds, but make sure it’s all mixed in before moving to the next step. If you don’t have gentle shampoo, mild laundry soap or detergent will work just fine.
• Add your blanket to the water. Make sure the whole blanket is submerged by gently pressing it into the water. This will ensure that the soapy water gets into all of the crevices. Let the blanket soak for about an hour.
• Rinse the blanket in cool water. Gently rinse under cool running water or in a tub of clean water to remove the soap.
• Gently press out the excess water over a sink or tub. Don’t twist the blanket too much, as you don’t want to warp it in any way. Squeeze it just enough to get excess dripping water out, then lay it somewhere to dry flat on its own.

2: Machine wash

While this second way of washing isn’t the top recommended, it still works just fine as long as you use cool water and follow these simple steps. This method of washing is perfect for those sweet babies who just can’t go without their blankets all day long. It’s a little bit faster, and as long as the yarn recommends it, the blanket will still be in good shape.

• Follow washing instructions on the yarn packaging! Again, check the wrapper. Every label should tell you how to go about washing and cleaning your finished crocheted project. If you used acrylic yarn, the odds are that it can be washed in the machine on a delicate cycle. If you received the blanket as a gift, ask the gift giver for any specific instructions. A wool crochet blanket should not go in the washer. Fabric softener is not recommended for crochet projects.
• Use a washing machine bag. If you have one, place your crochet blanket into a delicates bag (otherwise known as a lingerie bag). These large, mesh bags are perfect for avoiding snags and excess wear to your delicate blanket. It will keep the handmade project safe during the cycle. It’s important to note that you should wash the blanket with like colors, or by itself for the first time. I also wouldn’t recommend washing it with your regular laundry to avoid snagging on snaps, buttons, zippers, and clasps.
• Use minimal detergent. You won’t need more than a quarter cup of laundry detergent in the washing machine with your blanket. Too much detergent can wear away at the yarn, and we don’t want that. If you are able, use a mild detergent.
• Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Before pressing start on your machine, make sure it is set to cold or cool and the spin speed is at the lowest setting possible. If you have a delicates option, select that as well. You don’t want the blanket spinning in the washer for too long.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

So, Washing the crochet clothes may seem daunting, but it can make a world of difference in the outcome of your project. By implementing the techniques and methods we’ve explored and discussed throughout this article. It is recommended to go through without skipping any information. It would give you the desired result for the project you would be working on. Since the safe ways are mentioned and discussed you are free to explore and experiment with the approaches mentioned in this article.