Have you ever hand embroidered an item of clothing but now you're wondering how best to wash said item? Look no further. Here is my honest advice on washing hand embroidered clothes
- Hand Washing Is the Safest Option
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Wash separately. Treat the embroidered piece on its own.
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Inside out. Turn garments so the embroidery is on the inside.
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Use cold water and mild soap. Cold water helps avoid bleeding, and gentle soap keeps fabric and threads in shape.
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Let it soak. Submerge the piece for just a few minutes.
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Gentle handling. Lightly squeeze to let soap clean the fabric—avoid rubbing the stitches.
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Rinse carefully. Use fresh running water or clean water in the sink.
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Skip wringing. Do No twist your embroidery! Press out water by sandwiching it between towels and applying gentle pressure.
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Air dry. Lay flat or hang on a rack. Say no to the tumble dryer!
2. Machine Washing - I Wouldnt Recommend But If You Must
If hand washing isn’t possible, you can opt for machine washing with caution:
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Wash alone, inside out. Use a laundry bag if you have one for added protection.
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Delicate cycle + cold water. Choose the most gentle cycle and a mild detergent.
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Avoid harsh chemicals. Say no to bleach or fabric softener, both of which can damage fibres and threads.
3. Drying Tips
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Never tumble dry. Heat risks making threads fuzzy, frayed, or even causing shrinkage of fabric and stitches.
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Opt for air drying. Hang or lay flat to preserve the integrity of the embroidery.
4. Prolonging the Lifespan of Embroidered Pieces
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Choose quality embroidery floss. Brands like DMC offer vibrant, durable colours that wont bleed when wet.
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Secure your thread ends. Especially on clothing, stitches endure friction and movement. Knots help keep them intact.
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Prefer natural fabrics. Cotton, linen, and denim are more resilient than stretch or synthetic fabrics that may lose elasticity or wear out faster.
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Consider stabiliser backing. Iron‑on stabilisers add durability and reduce friction on the underside of embroidery.
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Spot clean when possible. If only part of the garment is dirty, targeted cleaning reduces wear on the embroidery from frequent full washes.
Summary
To care for your hand‑embroidered clothes:
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Best method: Hand wash with cold water and mild soap, then air dry.
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If using a machine: Use delicate settings and protective measures.
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Avoid heat: No dryers, minimal direct ironing or steaming.
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Plan ahead: Use quality materials and stabilisers, secure your thread, and prefer natural fabrics.
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Keep clean gently: Spot clean to minimise full washes.