Ever spilled something on your favorite felt hat or craft and wondered if you can just toss it in the washing machine? You’re not alone. Felt is a popular material for clothing, crafts, and decor, but its care can be a mystery.
Understanding how to clean felt properly matters if you want to avoid shrinking, warping, or ruining your project. In this article, we’ll answer whether machine washing is safe, offer cleaning alternatives, and share practical tips to keep your felt looking fresh.
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Can You Wash Felt in the Washing Machine?
Felt is a unique, versatile fabric widely used for crafts, clothing, home décor, and accessories. Its soft, plush texture and vibrant colors make it a favorite among creative enthusiasts and designers alike. However, when it comes to cleaning, felt requires special care due to its delicate fibers and tendency to shrink or lose shape. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can simply toss your felt items into the washing machine, you’re not alone. Let’s break down everything you need to know about washing felt—what works, what doesn’t, and how to keep your felt looking its best.
Can You Put Felt in the Washing Machine? The Straight Answer
Generally, it is not recommended to wash felt in the washing machine. Felt is made by matting, condensing, and pressing fibers together, rather than weaving or knitting them. This unique construction makes felt prone to:
- Shrinking significantly when exposed to water and agitation
- Losing its shape, becoming misshapen or distorted
- Developing pilling or fuzziness on the surface
- Weakening or separating at the seams (for constructed items)
While some machine-washable felts do exist, most craft, wool, and decorative felts should be treated as delicate and cleaned using gentler methods. Machine washing can lead to irreversible damage—especially if the felt item is important to you.
Understanding Felt: Types and Properties
Not all felt is created equal. Knowing the type of felt you have will help determine the best cleaning method.
1. Wool Felt
- Made from natural wool fibers.
- Very sensitive to water, heat, and agitation.
- Most likely to shrink or distort in the washing machine.
2. Acrylic or Synthetic Felt
- Made from various plastics (like acrylic or polyester).
- More resistant to water and agitation.
- Still prone to losing shape, pilling, or stretching.
3. Blend Felts
- A combination of wool and synthetic fibers.
- May be less delicate than pure wool but still require cautious cleaning.
Why Washing Machines Are Risky for Felt
Here’s what typically happens to felt in a regular washing cycle:
- Agitation: Felt’s fibers mat even more tightly together, causing shrinkage and making the fabric stiff.
- Heat: Warm or hot water amplifies shrinkage and distorts felt.
- Water Exposure: Water weakens the structure of felt, causing it to lose crisp edges and change shape.
- Spin Cycle: Intense spinning can deform and stretch felt items.
Even on a gentle cycle, risk remains, especially for items with glued elements, intricate decorations, or structural details.
How to Properly Clean Felt (Step-by-Step)
Let’s look at the safest methods to clean your felt items.
1. Dry Cleaning (Best for Delicate, Valuable, or Decorative Felt)
- Take the item to a professional dry cleaner.
- Ideal for hats, accessories, or heirloom pieces.
2. Spot Cleaning
Most everyday spills and stains can be resolved with spot cleaning.
Steps:
- Blot the affected area with a clean, dry cloth to absorb as much as possible.
- Use a mild soap solution (a dab of wool-friendly detergent in cool water).
- Dip a soft cloth into the solution, and gently dab (do not rub) the stain.
- Blot with a dry part of the cloth to remove excess moisture.
- Air-dry flat, reshaping as needed.
3. Hand Washing Felt (Best for Most Felt Items)
If the entire item needs cleaning, hand washing is the gentlest full cleaning method.
Steps:
- Fill a basin or sink with cool to lukewarm water. Hot water shrinks felt.
- Add a small amount of gentle wool detergent.
- Submerge the felt and gently press the water through it. Avoid rubbing or wringing.
- Let it soak for a few minutes if needed.
- Drain and refill with clean, cool water to rinse. Repeat until soap is gone.
- Remove excess water by pressing the felt between two towels. Do not twist or wring.
- Lay the felt flat on a towel, reshaping carefully. Allow to air dry completely.
4. Removing Dust and Surface Dirt
For hats or décor items exposed to dust:
- Use a lint roller, soft brush, or even a vacuum with a gentle upholstery attachment.
- Always brush in the direction of the felt fibers.
- For stubborn dust, very lightly dampen a cloth (not wet) and wipe.
Benefits of Proper Felt Care
Taking the right steps to clean your felt offers several advantages:
- Maintains Appearance: Keeps colors bright and prevents pilling or fuzz.
- Retains Shape: Avoids distortion, stretching, and shrinkage.
- Improves Lifespan: Clean, well-maintained felt lasts much longer.
- Prevents Damage: Gentle methods reduce the risk of tearing or separating fibers.
Challenges and Common Issues When Washing Felt
Here are some challenges and pitfalls people encounter:
- Shrinkage: Especially with wool felts, washing can dramatically reduce size.
- Color Bleeding: Bright or dark felts may bleed color into the wash or onto other surfaces.
- Stiffening: Over-washed felt can become stiff, rough, or less flexible.
- Glue and Embellishments: Many felt crafts use glue, which dissolves or loosens in water.
- Deformation: Spinning or stretching can cause hats, badges, or ornaments to lose their shape.
Best Practices and Tips for Cleaning Felt
Follow these expert tips for happy, healthy felt:
- Always Test First: Try cleaning a small, inconspicuous area before cleaning the whole item.
- Use Cool Water: Heat is the enemy of felt—cool or lukewarm water only!
- Gentle Detergent: Opt for wool- or delicates-friendly soap.
- Never Tumble Dry: Air dry only; heat and tumbling cause shrinkage.
- Reshape While Damp: Smooth and reshape your item before it dries fully.
- Avoid Overwashing: Felt doesn’t need frequent washing; spot and surface cleaning are usually sufficient.
- Separate Colors: Wash dark and light felts separately to avoid color transfer.
- No Bleach: Bleach or harsh chemicals will ruin felt instantly.
Special Considerations for Felt Crafts and Decor
Many felt projects—like seasonal decorations, craft toys, or home décor—require extra care:
- Keep Dry When Possible: Excessive moisture can cause glue to loosen or colors to run.
- Hand Wash Only If Necessary: Spot clean instead of submerging unless absolutely needed.
- Store Properly: Keep felt items away from sunlight, dust, and dampness to extend their life.
When Is Machine Washing Okay for Felt?
While it’s usually risky, there are rare exceptions:
- Some mass-produced, synthetic felts are labeled as machine-washable.
- For these, use a mesh laundry bag, wash on a cold, gentle cycle, and avoid spin cycles or dryers.
- Always read and follow the manufacturer’s care label instructions.
If you are unsure, assume your felt is not machine washable.
In Summary
Washing felt in the washing machine is rarely a good idea. The fabric’s unique construction makes it vulnerable to water, agitation, heat, and harsh detergents—all elements present in most wash cycles. To keep your felt beautiful and long-lasting, stick to spot cleaning, gentle hand washing, and professional dry cleaning when needed. By treating your felt right, you’ll enjoy its color, texture, and shape for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you wash felt in the washing machine on a gentle cycle?
It’s generally not recommended. Even gentle cycles involve enough agitation to shrink or distort most felt fabrics. If machine washing is necessary, only do so with felt labeled as machine-washable, using cold water and a mesh laundry bag.
2. What happens if you accidentally washed felt in hot water?
Hot water will almost certainly cause felt (especially wool felt) to shrink and lose its shape. There’s rarely a way to fully reverse this. The item may end up several sizes smaller and become misshapen or stiff.
3. How do you remove stains from felt?
The best way to remove stains is by spot cleaning. Blot the area, use a mild soap solution, and dab gently. Do not rub, as this can embed the stain further or cause pilling. Rinse by blotting with clean, damp cloths, and air dry.
4. Can you iron felt to smooth wrinkles after washing?
Yes, you can iron felt to remove light wrinkles. Use a low heat setting, place a damp cloth between the iron and the felt, and avoid pressing down too hard. Never iron felt when it’s wet, as you risk stretching or burning the fibers.
5. How should I store felt to keep it clean?
Store felt items in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep items in breathable bags or boxes to avoid dust. Avoid piling heavy objects on felt, as this can crush fibers and create permanent creases.
With this thorough approach, you’ll protect your felt items through proper care, keep your creative projects looking sharp, and extend the life of this wonderful material.