crochetmania.myfastforum.org :: Cleaning Your Creations

StitchnLocks

While at the LYS I noticed a "special" soap for cleaning creatables. As a soapmaker I am curious as to its claim to fame. At this time the small print is too small for me to decipher so I will definitely look into that. Maybe I'll find something via Google about it.

Meanwhile, that made me think of this topic . . . how do you clean your items? I suspect much depends upon the yarn the item is made of. Still, I am leaning toward hand washing whatever I create at this point. Last year I crocheted a tam out of hemp and wool (I believe). Well, I washed it in cold with everything else and now that I have been reading and paying attention, it just occurred to me that basically what the hat has done is begun the process of felting. It's not too bad, but I do NOT want that technique for that hat. I am hoping handwashing will address that.

So, in handwashing, agitation is the culprit, right. So do you simply put the item in water, let it soak and kinda squeeze the soap in and through the item??????

Then how about the drying. I have read in many places to dry flat. Well, our house/apt. is small and choc full of stuff. I am at a loss for where to dry something flat. I am sure there are tricks of our trade out there that I don't know. The same goes for blocking. I have never blocked . . .. yet. But, I heard that has to be done flat, geez. Gotta figure it out. Want clean, well blocked clothing.

StitchnLocks

Nobody washes their crocheted items??????

Come on, SOMEbody must wash them. I was only asking how to go about it properly. Maybe I was too wordy.

jchllm

LOL...somehow I missed this post.....musta been a busy day.

Yes, it does depend on the item. I've made and washed slippers, ghans, scarves, mittens.......just by throwing them into the washer and dryer. I normally use redheart which washes up very nicely, and softer. Bernat washes up very nicely as well.

I have not washed Lionbrand Homespun yet but I would likely wash it on the gentle cycle and then lay it flat to dry.

Hope that helps. Oh yeah, I just use normal laundry soap.

StitchnLocks

TX CrochetLover · MANIA MOD

Most things I have made, I make sure I can wash it even if I have to air dry. As far as laying flat, I just drape the item over the shower rail and alternate the position so I don't have a crease where it was hanging.
For thread, I use mild soap and soak, then rinse really well, then block out on foam board using pins. I have heard some people use the top of their bed to block out larger things, using towels underneath to absorb the moisture.
With most things like baby blankets, I buy acrylic that can be washed and dried.

tamking · MANIA MOD

It depends on the yarn. Acrylic I will machine wash and dry. I do lower the temp on the dryer though....acrylic can melt if it gets too hot.

Wool - I hand wash, then dry it flat. Same with cotton (except for dish cloths)

JazzRizz

Most of my crocheted items have been made with RH, Simply Soft, or other acrylic yarn. I'm hard on my crocheted items, so they have to be machine washable/dryer friendly.

Since I've learned to knit, I've discovered the natural fiber world. I had no idea there was all that gorgeous yarn out there, being limited to what Walmart, Joann's, & Michaels carried.

My natural fiber knits, I use SOAK. I gently swish the item in the water and let it soak for 5-10 minutes. Then I gently press until most of the water is gone and then I roll it up in a big fluffy towel and step on it to get the rest of the water out. Then I'll lay flat to dry (usually on my spare bed).