How To Wash Cross Stitch

* Use only cold water for the wash and rinse. Tap water is fine unless you have very hard water, then you will want to use distilled water. Make sure the sink and any containers you will use are clean.

* Pre-rinse the piece under cold, running water.

* Place in a soapy cold water and gently wash. Do not scrub. For detergent I recommend Yarn Trees FabriCare, but other products are available. Avoid soaps that have additives such as fragrances, softeners, etc. Use only a small amount of detergent.

* If needed, rinse and wash a second time. DO NOT WRING the water out; this is not necessary and can pull the stitches.

* Rinse three times in cold water.

* As you work, check carefully for any sign of color bleeding, hoop marks or other stains.

* Remove the piece from the final rinse. Let the water drain out of the fabric, but DO NOT WRING.

* Place the cross stitch on a dry bath towel, and roll up the towel (with the cross stitch still on the towel).

* Unroll the towel and repeat on a dry section of the towel (or another towel). Gently pressing on the rolled up towel will remove all the water you need to remove. Repeat as necessary.

* Unroll the towel. Lay the cross stitch face up on a dry section of the towel. If necessary, let the piece air dry until it is just damp but not dripping wet.

* Once again, check for any stains or marks. Once you iron the piece, it will be even more difficult to remove any stains.

* Place the cross stitch face down on a dry bath towel. Use an iron set to a low or medium temperature and lightly press the back of the cross stitch. If you have beads, special threads, etc you want to be extra careful with this step. Keep the iron constantly moving. If you have not used that iron in a while, practice on a scrap piece of cross stitch fabric. Make sure the steam setting is off, and the iron is not spitting steam. For the temperature setting, keep in mind the types of materials you used in the cross stitch, if there is any question, use a lower temperature.

* The cross stitch will still be slightly damp. Lay it face up on the towel and allow to air dry.

source: Yarntree.com

TIPS: DON’T PUT YOUR DIRTY PAWS ON THE STITCHERY! KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN.

How?
1.Clean hands are the first defense against damage to Aida fabric. Wash your hands before stitching. Stop and wash your hands if you touch anything that may soil them while you are stitching. Gently ask anyone who wants to touch your cross stitching to wash his or her hands first.
2.Keep all tools and implements used on Aida fabric clean. Store scissors, marking pens, needles, and other tools in a safe place and dedicate them to cross stitching.
3.If you use a hoop, clean it with alcohol or mild detergent and allow to completely dry. Frames should be held by the frame and not the fabric. The natural oils from your hands may eventually stain the fabric.
4.To avoid creases, store Aida rolled up or flat instead of folded. A crease may be next to impossible to iron out, and fading may occur along the folds.
5.Clean Aida with cool water and a very mild detergent. If bright flosses bleed, keep rinsing the project with cool water until it runs clear. Do not wring Aida out. Press it between the folds of a clean white towel to remove most of the water and lay it flat to dry in a safe location. Iron before completely dry.

source: http://crossstitch.about.com