Caring for your crochet
Handmade crochet lasts for years if you treat it well. Here's how.
The short version
- Spot-clean stains with cold water and a tiny bit of mild soap.
- Do not machine-wash or tumble-dry. Ever.
- Lay flat to dry, away from direct sun and radiators.
- Store folded in a breathable cotton bag, somewhere dry.
Cleaning, in detail
Small marks
Dab — don't rub — with a clean white cloth dipped in cold water. If that's not enough, a drop of pH-neutral wool wash on the spot. Rinse with cold water on a clean cloth. Press flat in a towel to absorb moisture.
A whole piece needs cleaning
For blankets and large pieces, hand-wash in cold water with a wool-safe detergent. Don't twist or wring. Lift it out gently, support the weight, and squeeze (don't twist) the water out into a towel. Lay flat on a clean towel to dry.
Dolls and animals
Spot-clean only. The stuffing inside doesn't like being soaked. If a doll has had a serious accident, email us — sometimes we can deep-clean it for you better than at-home methods.
Drying
Always flat, on a clean towel, in a warm room with airflow. Never on a radiator (kills the fibers), never in direct sun (fades color), never tumble-dry (felts the wool, distorts the shape).
Storing
Fold loosely. A breathable cotton bag is ideal — plastic traps moisture, which encourages mold. Keep wool pieces away from anything cedar-aversive (most of our blends are cedar-friendly, but if you're unsure, ask).
Pilling and shedding
A little is normal in the first few weeks of use, especially with wool blends. Don't pull at it. A fabric comb or sweater shaver every few months keeps things smooth.
If something goes wrong
Snag, hole, fading where there shouldn't be? Email us a photo at info@uniquetreasures.co. We can usually advise, sometimes repair, and we always want to know if a piece isn't holding up.
Crochet is meant to age — to soften, to take the shape of how you use it, to look more loved over time. The goal isn't to keep it new. The goal is to keep it yours.