Tips on Washing and Ironing Your Finished Cross-Stitch Piece

It takes a lot of time and effort to complete a cross-stitch project, especially a large one, which is why it is important to take a proper care of the finished piece to make sure it looks nice and bright for as long as possible.

If your cross-stitch has become dirty, you can hand wash it – this will freshen up the picture and flatten the stitching. However, we suggest that you first carefully read the instructions that came with the kit as they might contain specific washing recommendations. If not, you can wash your cross-stitch with a non-chlorine detergent, for example, dishwashing liquid. If your piece is stitched with high-quality floss, you can carefully wash it with a washing powder suitable for colored clothes.

If the floss starts losing color while being washed, rinse the cross-stitch thoroughly till the color stains disappear.

Carefully press the water out of the fabric (you can do that through a towel) and hang it up to dry.

When the cross-stitch is still slightly damp, you can start ironing it, but first place the finished cross-stitch piece face down and cover it with a wet cloth.

If needed, the areas of the fabric that are not stitched can be additionally ironed on the front side. To prevent the stitches from getting crushed, iron your piece on a soft surface.

The optimal ironing temperature depends on the materials and can vary for the threads and fabric. It’s best to stick to the lower temperature setting.

You can use spray starch to stiffen the fabric.

Washing a designer canvas

Designer canvases are very delicate and don’t take washing well, so make sure to keep the fabric clean while you are cross-stitching on it. If your finished piece does require washing, stick to the following tips:

• wash your stitching in lukewarm water with a few drops of liquid soap or shampoo and vinegar;
• don’t rub the cloth, just gently scrub the stains with your fingers;
• don’t wring out the fabric;
• let your cross-stitch piece dry on a light-colored towel, but prior to that make sure that the towel doesn’t bleed color;
• iron the fabric on the backside while it is slightly damp.

We hope our tips have been helpful for you. Keeping your finished cross-stitch pieces neat and tidy will allow you to enjoy the results of your work for years to come!