Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean Dirty Cross Stitch Projects

It’s the worse thing that can happen. You’ve been stitching for hours even days and you notice your fabric has a mark on it! Here’s my step by step guide on how to clean dirty cross stitch projects. So you don’t waste all that hard work.

Understanding the Importance of Cleaning Dirty Cross Stitch

It’s important to clean dirty cross stitch not only for the final finished appearance but oils and other contaminates on your fabric can actually damage the fibre over time. Literally eating away at it.

Gathering the Necessary Supplies for Cleaning

It will completely depend on what type of mark your having to clean but these are supplies that I and my fellow cross stitchers in club craftcartwright recommend:

• mild hair shampoo
• Tide laundry pen
• Blue Dawn
• Oxiclean
• colour catcher sheets
• Woolite
• Peroxide
• Clean towels
• iron

Preparing the Cross Stitch for Cleaning

• Remove your cross stitch from it hoop or frame.
• Ensure all your threads are secure
• Edge the frabric to stop it from fraying
• Test the fabric and your floss for colour fastness – do this by snipping a small section of spare fabric and floss. Dampening them and rubbing in a white towel to see if any colour transfers.

Dry Cleaning Methods for Lightly Soiled Cross Stitch Projects

Sometimes if it’s only lightly soiled or perhaps your furry friend has sat too close. You can clean the project with a soft brush or a lint roller to remove dust and hair.

Wet Cleaning Methods for Heavily Soiled Cross Stitch Projects

If you do need to remove a stain or the fabric looks generally grubby, why no try these tips from my readers:

Cool water and a small amount of your shampoo. I use shampoo as it will dissolve your skin oils, the biggest culprit. Tide make a laundry pen that is great.

Fill clean dishpan half full of lukewarm water. Add two drops blue Dawn, 1/2 tsp Liquid OxiClean Color Boost Color Brightener plus Stain Remover, two Shout Color Catcher Sheets and mix. Add stitched piece and swish about a minute or two. Empty dishpan and fill with cold water and swish again, repeating once or until water clear.

For general dust, oil from your hands, etc, gentle soap like Woolite, hand washed in tepid water, rinsed very thoroughly, roll in a towel, and either hang up or lie flat to dry.

Homemade stain remover: spray on, gentle rub, and rinse in cool/warm water.

1 part Dawn original dish soap, 2 parts peroxide. Don’t let it sit on too long, it may bleach the fabric and thread!

Drying and Pressing the Cleaned Cross Stitch Project

Roll rinsed piece, stitched side down in clean white towel, very gently squeezing out excess water. While still damp, turn stitched side down on dry white towels and press around non-stitched area with DRY IRON (no steam).

If wrinkling does not come out, you can use a spray starch to help eliminate stubborn creases.

drying cross stitch projects, pressing with a clean cloth or iron on low heat setting if necessary

Tips for Preventing Future Dirt Build-up on Cross Stitch Projects

If you’re displaying you cross stitch all year round it’s worth having it properly framed under glass and hung out of direct sunlight.

If you have seasonal pieces I’d recommend storing them in acid free tissue paper or archival sleeves.

Enjoying Your Clean and Beautiful Cross Stitch Creations

The best tip I can give you is to avoid getting your work dirty in the first place. Keep pets away and wash your hands before stitching.

If you do have a mark I hope these ideas help you get your project clean so everyone can enjoy your beautiful embroidery.