Is Wool Felt Washable: Unravelling the Secrets of Wool Felt Care and Maintenance

Hey Lovely Crafters!

One of the biggest questions I get asked is 'Can you clean wool felt', 'Is wool felt washable', 'Do I need to Pre-Wash my Wool Felt'. I'm here to give you all the do's and don'ts when it comes to washing your wool felt whether it's washed before your project, or accidentally gets dirty after your project.

There's a common myth that cleaning wool felt is a tricky affair. Fear not! I'm here to bust that myth wide open. Cleaning your wool felt is a breeze, and you won't need any fancy cleaning tools.

Before we dive in, let's unravel the mysteries of the mischievous foes that can cast shadows upon your cherished felt treasures.

Beware the deadly moisture

Wool Felt when dry is brilliantly resistant. It withstands the fiercest of beatings through our sewing machines, turning out the corners when sewn and stuffed within an inch of its life. However, when water or moisture is near it transforms into a delicate cloth. Storing in a cool dry space will be sure to reduce any risk of exposure.

The Pests' Menace

Moths, carpet beetles, weevils and silverfish pose the biggest threat to Wool Felt. I use Lavender and or Eucalyptus oils on wooden balls or beads in a container that has holes in the top - you might have to get the tools out to put holes in the container lid. Place this small container inside your bigger container of Wool Felt. Another thing we like to do is to go in and rough the felt up once or twice a week to reduce the risk of any pests making a nest in your beloved Wool Felt products. They don't like it when their home is destroyed and they will move on.

The Shadows of Light Exposure

Our wool felt is by no means fade-resistant and if anyone else tells you otherwise then I would be questioning whether it is 100% Wool Felt. Wool felt is animal hair, and like any type of hair, even your own, any dye may fade over time especially if exposed to a lot of sunlight or is washed in heavy chemicals. We will have some great tips below that can help you reduce Wool Felt from fading but in the meantime, try and reduce direct sunlight exposure or under heavy fluorescent lights.

Here are some very well-tested methods to help you keep your Wool Felt looking as good as the day it was purchased.

How to clean Wool Felt

For the absolute best results and wherever possible, spot cleaning is the best way to take care of any marks.

• Wool is a natural dirt repellent so for immediate stain removal use a tissue and blot off the stain and should look like it wasn't there before.
• If you've become distracted and the stain is a little more set in - Use cold water, not hot water. Hot water causes the felt to contract and shrink
• Mix up a bowl of cold water with some mild soap like Sonett's Gall soap bar.
• Using your hand gently rub where the stain is. Try not to agitate it too much as this will cause pilling.
• Pat dry with a clean towel and allow to finish air-drying
• Repeat the process if necessary however try not to agitate it too much, as this will create some unwanted pilling.
• For the 'wash before use', 'pre-shrink' and for heavy marks on your Wool Felt process follow these steps
• Mix up the same bowl or basin of cold water with mild soap
• Submerge your Wool Felt and leave for a few minutes - do different colours separately
• Place a wooden chopping board on an angle inside the bowl or basin and lay the felt on top, use your hand to press on the felt to squeeze out any excess water
• Sandwich the felt between two towel sheets and using a rolling pin squeeze out as much water as possible.
• Lay flat to dry inside and not in direct sunlight

These methods are only for small craft Wool Felt sheets or projects, do not soak your quilts of finished soft toy projects.

Embrace scents like Eucalyptus, Lavender, and tea tree to ward off pests and mosquitoes. To banish unpleasant odours or grease, turn to salt, vinegar, baking soda, or lemon. Combine a quarter of any of these with water. But remember, don't soak your product for more than 10 minutes, or you could compromise its integrity.

I trust that these detailed instructions have cleared up any confusion you may have had. Our wool felt products boast remarkable durability, capable of lasting many years to come. However, ensuring their longevity requires proper cleaning and maintenance.

Wool Felt offers more than just durability. They're eco-friendly, renewable, and hypoallergenic. Moreover, all our products are safe for use for both humans and animals. Embrace felt products for their environmental benefits. Should you have any further queries about taking care of your Wool Felt products, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.