Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn a small commission when you click a link and make a purchase. Thanks for supporting SewingSociety.com!
When you cross stitch, the natural oils from your fingers transfer to your fabric. These oils become yellow stains on your Aida cloth over time. Even if your cross-stitch piece looks clean, it’s still important to wash it before framing it so it lasts longer and the yellow stains don’t appear. Washing also helps get rid of hoop marks and stubborn creases in your cross-stitch fabric.
Washing your cross-stitch piece can be a scary thought considering you probably spent 20+ hours working on it and don’t want to ruin it. Unfortunately, washing is a necessary step in preserving your cross stitch, especially if you want to frame it. It’s easier than you think, and it’ll be fine if you test your dye for bleeding first. We’ve outlined the process for washing your cross-stitch piece in seven steps.
Contents
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Most of the tools and supplies you need to clean your cross-stitch piece are commonly used in your home. The following is a list of everything you should gather.
- Cotton Bath Towels
- Iron and Ironing Board
- Press Cloth
- Bowl or Container for Soaking
- Mild Soap (like Soakwash)
- Color Catcher Sheet
Step 2: Check to See if Your Thread Bleeds Color
Use a damp paper towel and blot a small section of the cross-stitch piece. If you see the color come off on the paper towel, your thread bleeds. This isn’t usually a major problem with new counter-cross-stitch thread, but you may experience this color running if you are trying to wash specialty thread or hand-painted thread. Red cross-stitch floss is also a common offender.
If your thread bleeds dye badly, it’s best not to submerge it in water. You should also avoid the steam setting on your iron. However, a little color run is normal and should not be an issue when soaking your piece. Just be sure to rinse the cross-stitch piece until your water runs clear.
Note: If possible, test your thread before starting a cross-stitch piece to see if the color bleeds. If it does, you should not wash the piece when you’re done. Instead, be extra careful while working on the piece and wash your hands before every session. You can still press the cross-stitch piece, but don’t use the steam setting.
Step 3: Fill a Bowl with Water and Mild Soap
You only need enough water to submerge your cross-stitch piece, so a large bowl from your kitchen will work. Fill it with lukewarm water and add a couple of drops of soap. If you have hard water in your home, use distilled water instead of tap water. Choose a mild, scentless soap or use regular dish soap from your kitchen. Stir the soap in by hand until it is evenly dispersed.
If your thread bleeds, you can add a Shout Color Catcher sheet to the water. It will help grab the dye before it settles into your fabric. Make sure to also use a gentle detergent.
DMC Thread recommends you don’t use biological powder or specially formulated wool wash to wash your cross-stitch piece. They have chemicals that can interact with the dyes and cause them to run.
Step 4: Soak Your Cross-Stitch Piece
Gently rinse your cross-stitch piece with cool running water and then put it in your bowl of soapy water to soak. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, but swish it around every once in a while. You can let it soak longer if it’s visibly soiled.
If there are any obvious stains on your Aida cloth, you can try gently rubbing them with a soft brush. Try to avoid scrubbing or rubbing too hard because it can damage the fabric.
Note: These instructions are for washing cross-stitch pieces only. Needlepoint should not be washed in soapy water. Vintage embroidery pieces and tatting require dry cleaning and extra special care.
Step 5: Rinse and Pat Dry
After soaking the cross-stitch piece, rinse it under cool running water for two to three minutes to remove the soap. Then, lay the piece between two soft bath towels and pat it dry. You can also roll the towel up around the Aida cloth. This will help you smooth out the wrinkles. Remove as much water as you can without wringing the towel or stretching the cross-stitch fabric.
Step 6: Iron Flat
Place the cross-stitch piece face down on your ironing board on top of a soft towel. This prevents the stitches from getting crushed and sunken into your fabric when you iron. Then, cover the cross-stitch piece with a press cloth.
Use a warm iron to press the back of the cross-stitch piece. Keep the iron moving so you don’t accidentally scorch the fabric. You can use the steam setting to try and remove any remaining creases in the fabric.
Step 7: Air Dry
Lay the cross-stitch piece out on a smooth surface to finish drying by air. Do not wring it out because this can cause the fabric to stretch and ruin your cross-stitch piece. Air drying should only take six to eight hours. Then, you’re ready to frame the cross-stitch piece.
Washing your cross-stitch piece before framing it is the best way to preserve it. If you don’t wash it first, those invisible oils from your fingers will stain the fabric and turn your cross-stitch piece yellow. Washing your cross stitch is an easy step, so don’t skip it.
Share this post on Pinterest!
I’ve already washed my cross-stitch material and the red color dispersed onto the cloth, turned pink. Is there a fix…..it’s still damp.
Try Carbona Color Run Remover. Good luck!
The best time to treat stains is immediately after they occur, whether your cross stitching is complete or not. As with clothes, once a stain has set in, it will be harder to remove.
My piece is quite large so I was thinking about dry cleaning it. Would be ok?
I’ve never tried, so IDK. If you do it, let us know how it turns out!
I mistakingly ironed my piece (first one), before reading about preparing it to frame. Is the yellow now set to no avail? I’ve tried the technique above sand it’s still yellow. Any ideas how I can salvage it?
I have completed my project and washed it using dishwashing liquid, rinsed, pat dry and iron the cloth. I just notice that I can still see the area where the hoop ring was located. How can I remove this ring?
What a horrible mess: it was the black Aida cloth that bled all over the stitching. Six pictures, a total of two years’ worth of work, are now dingy, ugly, and not worth framing anymore. Is there anything I can do to save them, ir should I just throw them away?