Handcrafted crochet pieces are usually unique, but they are delicate and need care to always remain an attractive option when choosing a different look. That’s why today we’re going to teach you how to wash and care for crochet pieces!
Crochet is timeless and super versatile, you can literally do anything using this technique. We usually see bikini, pillow, rug, garments, decoration pieces like sousplat, and infinite other things.
With a needle, balls and a lot of creativity, crocheting is a hobby , supplementary income source or even the main one, for many people.
Read on and learn how to wash and care for crochet pieces, leaving your pieces looking like new.
How to wash and care for crochet pieces
First, let’s talk about washing: we start by checking the indication on the composition label of the piece, on how to wash and care for crochet pieces.
If there is no label on your garment, ask the seller to send you the label of the thread or wool used in the manufacture of the garment. If not, enjoy our guide!
- Hand wash : only use cold water or room temperature for items made with 100% animal fiber wool, items with mixed threads/fibers. In the case of items made with cotton/linen 100% vegetable fibers and wool/other threads 100% acrylic (this type allows dry cleaning), both hand washing and machine washing are allowed, at your discretion.
- Machine wash : in the best of worlds of how to wash and care for crochet pieces, the first option is always hand washing, but as everyone’s routine is usually hectic, it’s not always possible to make use of this practice. So, leave the garment inside out and use bags for washing delicate clothes, also choosing the option of delicate clothes in the machine. Is it the first wash and is the garment colored? Wash separately to avoid stains. Did you like this tip on how to wash and care for crochet pieces?
Regardless of the method chosen, use coconut soap or liquid neutral soap, as powdered soap stiffens the fiber. Do not use bleach (even if it does not have chlorine in the composition).
And under no circumstances should you rub the crochet pieces. It is also not recommended to twist your parts.
After rinsing, you can wrap it in a white towel and squeeze so that the towel absorbs all the excess moisture contained in the crochet piece.
It is allowed to soak for a maximum of half an hour and only the white pieces, and the use of fabric softener can be replaced by apple or white vinegar.
In the case of the machine, if yours does not have the option of delicate clothes, the ideal is not to reach the centrifuge stage, because even protected in the bag, this stage can damage your pieces.
Beware of pieces with zippers, clasps, rings or regulators, these accessories can pull the thread of your crochet piece.
How to wash and remove stains from crochet pieces
Did you wash the piece following these tips on how to wash and care for crochet pieces and the stain still didn’t come out?
You can use a stronger soap just on the spot where the stain is. Let it act, rinse and repeat the process if you feel the need.
Depending on the type of fiber, stain remover can be used and, in the case of white items (only linen or cotton) that can no longer be considered white, we have two options:
- One option is to use indigo – Dip the piece in a solution of water and indigo, following the instructions on the label. After this process, you can call them white again.
- The other option is to use sodium bicarbonate – For every 5 liters of water, use 1 tablespoon of bicarbonate, let the pieces soak for half an hour in this solution. This process prevents yellowing. Rinse well before proceeding with normal washing with mild soap.
Drying crochet pieces
We do not guide the use of preachers! To avoid deformation of the stitches, do not place the pieces vertically (common clothesline or hanger), as the weight of the water pulls them down and this change can be irreversible.
There are platforms for this: a kind of screen to rest the piece on top that can be hung on a common clothesline with a hook. Remember that drying is done in the shade and preferably in a ventilated place.
Tip: if you are going to use a clothesline, lay a white towel over the rods of the clothesline and on top of it you can extend the crochet piece.
Should I pass crochet pieces?
It is allowed to use only steam without touching the iron to the piece. A trick is to iron it inside out with a cloth on top, avoiding direct contact between the iron and the piece.
In the video below, in a few minutes you have access to a compilation explaining in a clear and objective way some precautions:
How to care for crochet pieces
Now is the time to talk about how the pieces should be stored! As with drying, it is not recommended to use a hanger to store your pieces. In order not to deform, fold the piece and store it in a drawer or shelf in your closet.
In order to preserve the appearance and protect from dust, mold and insects, you can store the pieces in TNT packaging and store them in organizing boxes, since they are rarely used throughout the year.
Insects in your crochet pieces? Know how to keep them away
To repel insects, you can use the following herbs:
- Rosemary;
- Lavender;
- Cedar.
Before closing the bag with your crochet piece, place sprigs of herbs. You can replace the herbs with cotton swabs soaked in essential oils.
It is important to check the potency of herbs and cotton from time to time. If, when you open the bag, you can no longer smell it, this option is no longer valid against insects.
If, by chance, you didn’t know the tip above and found insects in your crochet piece, I have the best and most unusual solution: put your piece in the freezer for 48 hours, this process will not only kill the bug, but also hidden larvae and eggs.
How to stop the formation of polka dots in your crochet pieces
Is your crochet piece looking like an “old thing”? So far, you’ve learned how to wash and care for crochet pieces. Now, see two ways to eliminate the famous balls that formed in your pieces:
- For the first tip, you will only need a rubber glove (that simple glove we use to preserve nail polish when washing dishes or doing heavy cleaning at home). Spread the piece on a flat surface and run the glove along the entire length of the piece where there are polka dots.
- The second option can be a “ball popper”. If there is any yarn starting to pull, use a needle to pull the yarn through the wrong side and secure the excess. After this process, you can use your own device for this, without fear! The result is really extraordinary.
We warn and do not advise the use of razors, as it can cut any thread that is not uniform and irreversibly damage your piece.
It is rarely possible to make repairs to such delicate parts. We must also be careful with ends that get tangled and with large nails when handling the pieces.
Take care of your piece with the same care as the one who made it, following these tips on how to wash and care for crochet pieces.
Following all these steps in washing, maintenance and how the pieces should be stored, the durability will be infinitely greater.
Craft pieces are usually passed down through generations and all this attention will certainly generate this result and you will have vintage pieces that look like new.
So, what did you think of the tips on how to wash and care for crochet pieces?
Now that you’ve had access to a super-complete guide on how to wash and care for crochet pieces, I bet you didn’t think it would be so easy, right?
Tell me if you already practiced all the necessary precautions to keep the pieces well cared for. We look forward to accessing your ideas and suggestions, share them with us.
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