How to Clean Felt
This is a simple guide for washing felt fabric!
Can felt be washed? Yes! Felt is a versatile material that can be used for all kinds of craft and fashion projects. It’s colorful, widely available, and affordable, making it a staple for many crafters. Felt fabric is made by compressing (natural or synthetic) fibers together, creating a textured cloth. Inevitably your felt goods will get a little dirty with regular use, like everything else in daily life. The exact washing steps vary by item and felt type, but some general rules can help you know where to begin (and what not to do!). Check out the following hints for how to clean felt so you can enjoy your felt pieces for years to come!
Note: Always follow any washing instructions or labels if they come with your felt items or fabrics.
Everyday Care
A few simple tips can help prevent the need to clean your felt items. Preventative care is always easier than washing it later, but spills and regular wear-and-tear do happen!
Spot cleaning is an easy way to eliminate small stains. Take a soft cloth, wet it, and dab at the stain, using a tiny amount of delicate hand-washing detergent if it’s really bad.
Gently cut away any loose fibers that are visible after spot cleaning. Extra Tip: If you get any surface lint, dirt, or fuzz on your felt items, use a piece of clear tape or a lint roller to remove it easily.
Washing by Hand
Washing your felt fabric or items by hand in a tub of water or sink is another option. Make sure the water isn’t too hot to avoid any shrinking, and use a tiny amount of gentle detergent (no bleach or anything harsh).
Also, never wring felt out because it can warp the material. Lay your felt items out to dry on a flat surface or drying rack, placing a towel or paper towel underneath if needed. Turn the item over periodically so it can dry fully.
Machine Washing
This is the most intense way to wash fabrics, especially felt. It should really only be used when your item is very dirty- like if a liquid spilled and then soaked in. If you must machine wash your felt, be sure the water isn’t very hot and use a gentle cycle. Shrinking your felt is what you really want to avoid.
Keep a close eye on the washing machine, and lay your items out to dry flat in a ventilated area. Using a machine dryer is not recommended on felt for the reasons above.
Extra Tip: These hints can also be used on felt sheets or rolls that you have in your sewing studio. Occasionally fabrics can get dusty or marked up in storage, so cleaning it might be necessary.
Hopefully these tips will help take the worry out of cleaning your felt items!
What else do you need to know about caring for your felt?