Enjoy using your beautiful and practical handwoven item!
Each item’s personality will naturally change over time through loving use and laundering. That said, there are some ways that you can increase the life of your new purchase, or your new gift.
First step: Find out what your item is made out of. (Scroll down if you already know!) You can do this by using the QR code that came with your item to go directly to the page for your weaving. At that point, reading more of this webpage is moot. If, however, you did not for whatever reason get a QR code with your item, or you misplaced it (perhaps in a circular filing cabinet…?), move to the next step.
A clear go-to care method is always to wash your item gently by hand with a nonabrasive detergent (one free of dyes, fragrances, phosphates, and sulfates). A gentle soap made specifically for washing wool will not hurt any of the fibers I use to make handwoven items. Wash gently in cool water without twisting or squeezing the fabric excessively. Lay flat on a towel to dry. You can transfer it to a drying rack when there is little water to weigh down and pull on the item.
Next step: Read on to find out the best way to care for your new, or well-loved handwoven item.
COTTON
Is your woven item soft and strong, and with a fabric feel that potentially leans towards firm or stiff when brand new? If your item is a dishcloth or towel, there is an increased chance that your woven item is mostly or completely cotton.
Machine wash cold and air dry (or tumble dry on low).
- You can use regular laundry soap.
- Cotton items may shrink at each washing, so do not be surprised by this, but they are sturdy and will hold up well through multiple washings.
- Washing, both in machine and by hand, will make your cotton items softer.
- Use a mesh wash bag if machine-washing your items. This helps reduce any risk of the button or charm catching on other items.
WOOL
Is your woven item too warm to wear on a sunny day, is potentially fluffy or even scratchy, and might leave an oily feel on your fingertips after you rub it? Your woven item is most likely mostly or completely wool.
Hand wash in cold water with a gentle wool soap, and lay flat to dry.
- Avoid felting! This means the wool fibers have tangled together into a thick mat. Keep wool away from sudden changes in water temperature, away from agitation, and away from abrasive soaps and detergents to prevent felting.
- Hand wash in cool, soapy water.
- Use a nonabrasive detergent, one free of dyes, fragrances, phosphates, and sulfates. A gentle soap made specifically for washing wool works well.
- Let your wool item soak for about fifteen minutes. Rinse your item gently, allowing the water to run clear, before laying it flat on a towel to dry. You can roll the item in a towel or gently squeeze the cloth to compress out the excess water ~ but don’t wring or twist it! That can increase the chance of felting the fibers.
ALPACA
Is your woven item too warm to wear on a sunny day, is definitely fluffy and soft, and possibly wearing a halo of fiber fuzz? Your woven item is most likely mostly or completely alpaca.
Hand wash in cool water with a gentle wool soap. Air dry, laying flat or draping over a rack or hanger. Use warm iron to finish if desired.
- Darker colors may bleed, so wash it alone in cool water, especially the first time.
- Hand wash in cool, soapy water.
- Use a nonabrasive detergent, one free of dyes, fragrances, phosphates, and sulfates. A gentle soap made specifically for washing wool works well.
- Let the luxurious alpaca item soak in the soapy water for about fifteen minutes, then rinse gently until the water runs clear. You can roll the item in a towel or gently squeeze the cloth to compress out the excess water ~ but don’t wring or twist it! That can break the delicate alpaca fibers.
- Use a warm ~ not hot! ~ iron if you wish. Use a pressing cloth to further protect the fibers.
LINEN
Is your woven item generally smooth and sleek, with a touch of shine? Does it have a fabric feel that potentially leans towards firm or stiff when brand new, but is soft and supple after a few washings? Your woven item is most likely mostly or completely linen.
Machine or hand wash in cool water (see drop-down details). Air dry. Use warm iron to finish if desired.
- If you prefer to not hand wash your linen item, it can be machine washed on a delicate setting with regular laundry soap.
- Use a mesh wash bag if machine-washing your items. This helps reduce any risk of the button or charm catching on other items.
- Your linen item can be machine dried. In the basic care instructions above I wrote to air dry it because line drying will help preserve the longevity of your linen.
- A steam iron makes machine-dried linen turn from wrinkly to smooth.
- If you use and wash your linen regularly, you will discover that it becomes softer and softer as time passes.
SILK
Is your woven item smooth and silky, woven from thin strands? Does the fabric feel warm in an evening chill, but cool in the warmth of the day? Does its thin fibers sometimes seem to be ‘magnetic’, especially if you live in a dry climate? Your woven item is most likely mostly or completely silk.
Hand wash in cool water with a gentle soap. Lay flat to air dry. Use warm iron to finish if desired.
- Do not machine wash silk.
- Hand wash in cool, soapy water.
- Use a nonabrasive detergent, one free of dyes, fragrances, phosphates, and sulfates. A gentle soap made specifically for washing wool works well.
- Let your silk item soak for about fifteen minutes. Rinse until the water runs clear. You can roll the item in a towel or gently squeeze the cloth to compress out the excess water ~ but don’t wring or twist it! That can break the fibers.
- Use a warm ~ not hot! ~ iron bring out the silken sheen. Use a pressing cloth to further protect the silk fibers.
- Silk can be ‘magnetic’ in dry climates. If static electricity overwhelms your item, simply mist it gently with clean water.
Each item is individually woven and one-of-a kind. Each item’s personality will naturally change over time through loving use and laundering.
Click here to see Interlace products.
Click here to learn more about the weaver behind Interlace.
Click here to see the looms used to create these beautiful and practical items.
Interlace is a small, woman-owned weaving company, based in Fairbanks, Alaska. All items are individually woven and one-of-a kind, designed to be used and their beauty enjoyed.
We shall not be held liable for any damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this website or with our products, whether gifted, purchased, or found.