How To Clean Felt (2024)

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How To Clean Felt

Prep & Pretreat

Before washing your felt item, be sure to check the tag for recommendations. If it indicates "do not wash" or "dry clean only", it's best to take it to the professionals. Otherwise, you can proceed with gentle wash methods. Keep in mind heavily structured items, like a felt jacket, should not be washed at home as it can warp their construction.

Whether hand or machine washing washable felt, always use a stain treatment appropriate for woolens. Gently work in to the fabric using a Stain Brush.

How To Clean Felt (6)

How To Clean Felt (7)

Handwash

Yes, it is possible to wash felt fabric. Handwashing is always the best and safest method for washing felt accessories, blankets, and other items. Felt is sensitive to water temperature and agitation, and it can shrink if not treated properly.

  • Add Wool & Cashmere Shampoo to a basin or sink filled with cool water.
  • Submerge the item and gently agitate the water with your hands to evenly distribute detergent.
  • Soak for up to 30 minutes. Do not soak for longer, as overexposure to water can affect the fabric.
  • Rinse well by running cool water through the item until the water is no longer soapy.
  • Do not wring. Instead, press the water out of the item.

Machine Wash

Can you wash felt in the machine? Yes! Some felt items, like a felt hat, can be laundered in the washing machine using a delicate setting.

  • Turn the item inside out, and place it in a Mesh Bag to add a layer of protection.
  • Felt needs to be washed on a delicate cycle. Select the woolens or delicate cycle on the washing machine, and make sure the water temperature is cold and the spin is on low.
  • Add the appropriate amount of Wool & Cashmere Shampoo according to the machine and load size.
  • Remove promptly from the washing machine to reduce creasing.

How To Clean Felt (8)

How To Clean Felt (9)

Dry & Finish

Lay the item flat in its natural shape on a drying rack or clean towel. Do not put it in the dryer!

Expedite drying by laying the item flat on a clean towel. With the item in its original shape, roll it up in the towel (like a sleeping bag) to remove excess water.

When drying, avoid direct sunlight and heat sources, such as the radiator, because they can yellow, shrink, or damage woolens. Never hang wet felt or woolens.

To remove wrinkles, we recommend steaming for the best and safest finish.

De-pill

Felt generally doesn't pill much. If you want to remove pills from felt, glide a sweater comb across targeted areas. Always work the tool in one direction.

When wool fibers become loose, they form little balls or pills. Pilling is a direct result of friction (which naturally occurs with movement), so the more you wear an item, the more likely it is to pill.

How To Clean Felt (10)

How To Clean Felt (11)

Store

  • Felt should be stored folded to prevent stretching or distorting. Store jackets and suits using a solid structured hanger.
  • Wool and cashmere are susceptible to insect damage. Always store items clean.
  • Store in a breathable cotton storage bag with a zip closure. Storing in plastic encourages yellowing and can trap mildew-causing moisture, a prime environment for bugs.

All techniques are based on textile science. Not all garments perform and react as science would predict.

How To Clean Felt (2024)

FAQs

Can you clean felt with vinegar? ›

Vinegar can be used as a natural and mild cleaning agent for felt fabric. However, it is important to dilute it properly before use.

Should felt be dry cleaned? ›

Wool felt often continues to shrink once it's on the garment so it is best to wash as gently as possible: by hand in cool water or dry clean. COLOR BLEEDING: Some colors may bleed even with hand washing in cool water. For best results, we recommend dry cleaning or spot cleaning to avoid color bleeding and shrinkage.

What happens to felt when it gets wet? ›

Wool felted products can absorb roughly half of their weight in water and be fully soaked without having any catastrophic damages. However, leaving the felt products for too long in water can eventually damage or destroy your felt crafts and items.

Can you clean felt with water? ›

Felt is sensitive to water temperature and agitation, and it can shrink if not treated properly. to a basin or sink filled with cool water. Submerge the item and gently agitate the water with your hands to evenly distribute detergent. Soak for up to 30 minutes.

How do you clean modern felt? ›

Felt is actually simple to clean and care for. Wiping with a wet cloth will remove most stains. If the item needs to be thoroughly cleaned, hand wash it in lukewarm water with a plain soap (no perfumes or dyes), then wring it out and leave to dry.

How do you clean felt panels? ›

Because this material is made from synthetic fibers, it cleans very well with virtually no damage to the color or construction itself. Most commercially available Carpet and Upholstery cleaners will do an excellent job removing stains.

Do stains come out of felt? ›

Follow these steps to remove coffee stains from Felt, Synthetic Fur and Natural Fur: Blot up what you can without forcing the stain further into the fibers. Mix a mild soap in hot water and swish to make a great volume of suds. Dip a cloth in only the foam and apply.

Does vinegar and water clean fabric? ›

Try a DIY Cleaner

For fabric upholstery: Mix 1/4 cup vinegar, 3/4 warm water and 1 tablespoon of dish soap or Castile soap. Put in a spray bottle. Mist the soiled area. Scrub with a soft cloth until the stain lifts.

Does vinegar leave stains on fabric? ›

To prevent stains, it's best to dilute the vinegar with some water. It's also important to note that you shouldn't use red wine vinegar, brown vinegar, or balsamic vinegar on clothing, as these varieties can all stain. Stick to white vinegar and apple cider vinegar when it comes to laundry.

How to care for felt? ›

Felt is fantastically simple to care for! If you've got any stains, wiping with a wet cloth will remove nearly anything. If the wet cloth doesn't do it, hand wash your felt in lukewarm water with a plain soap – no perfumes or dyes, then wring it out and leave it to dry.

How to clean black felt? ›

If the hat is dark, use a dark cloth; if the hat is white or a light color, use a white cloth. For more stubborn stains, sprinkle cornstarch, baking soda, or baby powder directly onto the soiled areas and mildly rub it in. Let the baking soda, cornstarch, or powder absorb the oil and grease for at least 20 minutes.

Can you wash felt in hot water? ›

Therefore, we recommend spot cleaning in comparison to cleaning the whole product. Few things to keep in mind; Use cold water, do not use hot water. Heat can shrink your felt, which you don't want.

How do you remove mildew from felt? ›

Mix 80% vinegar 20% water in a container and blot mould areas with clean microfibre cloth, ideally you would be rinsing/replacing the cloth after cleaning each section of mould to avoid further contamination. You don't want to scrub too much here as you just push the stain further into the fabric.

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