How To Clean Needlework

If you love to display cross stitch, embroidery and crewel work, here are step-by-step instructions for cleaning pieces that are in dire need of freshening up. No matter how carefully we display our needlework, they can get grungy with smoke, grease and handling stains.

As always, first test a small area before trying a cleaning method. Watch for dye transfer. Some reds are notorious for bleeding when washing, using a cooler temperature of water can help.

Also, don’t be alarmed if the water used in cleaning turns quite murky, you’ll be rinsing until water is clear.

How To Clean Needlework

• Remove needlework piece from frame and make sure all edges are finished before immersing the item in water. You can do a zigzag finish or use a serger (being careful not to cut piece smaller).
• Measure item and note the exact size on all sides, you’ll need to block the piece to this size while it’s drying.
• Fill a large basin with lukewarm water and add a bit of gentle liquid dish detergent. Do not use a soap with added bleach or degreasing agent.
• Using your fingers, swirl and agitate the needlework in the soapy water. You want the piece to be saturated completely with water. Soak item in the water for about an hour, gently agitating occasionally. If piece is heavily stained, you can soak longer if needed (even days), just make sure to replace soapy water with fresh each day (if the water is very dirty or murky at first, change soapy water to a fresh batch for soaking).
• Dab spot stains with your fingers or a very soft toothbrush, gently dabbing soap into stained area. You need to be careful and watch that you don’t damage the fibers while doing this.
• Once the piece is clean, drain the soapy water and fill the basin with cool, clear water. Rinse the soap out of the needlework piece. You will need to do this a few times until water runs clear, you want all traces of soap to be removed from the needlework as soap residue can cause the fabric to yellow.
• After needlework has been rinsed thoroughly and all traces of soap removed, lay out the needlework on a clean white towel then top with another clean white towel. Roll like a jelly roll (with needlework inside) squeezing the towels gently to remove as much of the water as you can (do not wring out needlework). Do not allow the needlework to touch itself when rolling, keep the towels between rolled layers of needlework. Unroll the towels and remove the needlework piece to block.

How To Block Needlework

• You’ll need a piece of plywood with a large enough area to lay the needlework piece on top (with at least an inch or two margin on all sides for easier handling).
• Take a piece of muslin large enough to cover the plywood with a few inches overlap and lay it flat. Place the plywood on top of the muslin and bring the edges of the muslin up and over the plywood, stapling the edges securely along the back of the plywood. Flip the board over and you should have a tight, clean muslin surface.
• Take the wet needlework piece and lay on top of muslin surface. Start pinning the needlework along the edges to the muslin, measuring all sides of needlework so that it matches the original measurements you took before washing. As the piece dries, the original measurements will hold. If you don’t block the wet needlework before it dries, the piece will likely shrink and warp.
• Once dry, take the needlework off the blocking board and press gently if needed. See this tip for ironing needlework.

Caution

• When immersed in water, needlework colors may bleed through piece. If you’re not sure how the dyes will hold, take a clean white cloth, soak in soapy water solution you plan on using, and dab gently on needlework to see if any dye transfer happens. If so, do not wash.
• If the piece is very old, the fibers may not hold up during the washing process. Your best bet is to have a professional clean the needlework, especially if this a treasured family heirloom.
• Watch the fibers from both the fabric and the threads, do not treat piece roughly or you could damage the fibers with the piece developing holes and fibers unraveling. Always use a dabbing motion rather than rubbing.

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