How to Care for Handmade Yarn Items so They Will Last for Many Years!

 

Introduction: Caring for Handmade Items

Caring for handmade knit/crochet yarn items can be very easy if you follow some simple instructions, and your items will be able to last for many years to come. Before we get to washing your adorable keepsake items, you must first know exactly what type of yarn the item was made from. This is extremely important and how you will care for the item will be based upon this important fact.

Now, I always include a card with my handmade items telling my customer what type of yarn was used in making the item they purchased from me. I believe most other sellers will do the same, but if you were given an handmade item and you do not know the type of yarn used in the making of the item, then always follow the handwashing and air drying instructions, with for example, Fine Fabric Wash 3.3 Oz: Lavender, as a precaution. 

Never Use The Following

There are things that should never be used or done on any handmade yarn item no matter what type of yarn even if it's acrylic yarn. To make it easy to see and remember, I will list them here:

1. Bleach or any type of bleach product
2. OxyClean (Bleaching product)
3. Tide Pen  
4. Any spot remover spray
5. Liquid fabric softener 
6. Hot water (warm OK for acrylic yarn)
7. Hot air dryer (medium-low heat OK for acrylic yarn)
8. Hanging to dry

Remember, all of the above should be avoided for all handmade yarn items to protect them and help keep their shape, color and pattern. You don't have to worry so much over it that you become afraid to use the precious item for what it was made for. Baby clothes get dirty and so will your precious handmade items! You just have to remember to separate the handmade items from all other clothes to care for them. 

Handwashing

Any handmade yarn item can be hand washed at any time. Best practice for handwashing is the following:

1. You will need two (2) clean, dry bath towels
2. Wash out a basin or sink that you will use to wash your items in. If using a sink, make sure the drain plug will hold water before you begin. 
3. Place you items in the sink/basin and add cool to lukewarm water; enough to completely cover the items.
4. Add a small amount of Fine Fabric Wash 3.3 Oz: Lavender or any gently handwashing fabric wash, and gently work into the water. Allow your item to soak for about 20 to 30 minutes, gently agitating the item every few minutes, and only rinse if required on the label. (The fine fabric wash does not require rinsing).
5. Drain; gently squeeze the water from the item, but do not ring out! Ringing out the item can damage it.
6. Lay one of the bath towels on the floor open length wise, place the item on the towel at the bottom end in the center.
7. Start to roll the item up in the towel like a giant cigar. (This will all make sense in a minute!)
8. Once the towel is rolled up, stand on the towel and gently step on it with bare feet. This will help to force the excess water out of the item allowing it to dry quicker and not harden due to the minerals in the water. For example, you hand washed a pair of jeans and squeezed out the water as best you could. you hung them to dry, but they felt a little "crispy" or stiff. That's from the minerals leftover in the water that was not able to be squeezed out like the washing machine spin cycle does for us.
9. Take your second, dry bath towel and place it somewhere out of the way that your item can be placed to dry. (On top of of your dryer or your kitchen table works well.) You don't have to open it up unless you have multiple items.
10. Place your item on the dry towel to dry. Every couple of hours, turn the item over and gently shake it as it dries.

Machine Washing

100% Acrylic Yarn Only

If the yarn is not 100% acrylic, I recommend hand washing only!

When there is a blend, modern yarns that are manufactured in factories may perform alright in the washing machine, but if the yarn was hand spun and hand blended, it will not. It is best to err on the side of caution when it comes to handmade items. 

1. Wash on gentle/delicate cycle. Check your machine's manual for the proper setting if unsure.
2. Wash with Cold to Warm water. (Never Hot).
3. Use gentle detergents such as any for a baby, plain Tide liquid (no pods), etc.
4. No liquid fabric softener. (Fabric softener's will loosen fibers and damage the item).

Machine Drying

100% Acrylic Yarn Only

You may skip the dryer and just lay the item flat to dry on a clean dry towel following step #10 of Handwashing above.

1. Dry on lowest heat setting or use Air/Tumble Dry setting.
2. Do not over dry. Remove item when just about dry.
3. High heat will ruin your item!
4. Over drying may damage your item.
5. You may use a dryer sheet, but over use of dryer sheets may build up like using liquid fabric softener.

Conclusion

That's about it! I think I have covered everything I needed to. I'll updated as needed so check back once in a while! 😀

Carl