Washing Instructions for Counted Cross Stitch
Supply List:
- white vinegar
- cool water
- Palmolive dish-washing liquid
- ammonia
- soft-bristle tooth brush
- spray starch
- Scotch Guard
(I usually do: 1 part = 1 Tablespoon)
Before washing your finished project, always make sure to set the colors with a solution of 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts clear, cool water-- NEVER use warm or hot water. Let this sit for 5-10 minutes. Rinse and lay the project, face up, on a clean, hard surface.
Prepare your cleaning soap, making enough to clean each project as you complete it:
Mix together 1 part Palmolive dish-washing liquid with 4 parts clear, cool water, and 1 part ammonia.
To apply, use a very soft bristle tooth brush. Apply first to the unstitched portion of the material, brushing in both up and down direction, and then a sideways direction. This will remove the body oils from the unstitched material. Then apply the cleaner to the stitched portion. The ammonia WILL NOT harm the thread at all. The ammonia will, in fact, brighten the colors in the piece of work and clean out the oils left by your hands as you have had to handle it. Do not be afraid to put pressure to the brush as you clean. Rinse under clear, cool water until there is not sign of the soap.
Roll the piece of material in a towel (or several paper towels) and squeeze gently until you get a lot of the water out. Lay the fabric FACE DOWN on at least 8 layers of paper towels and iron with an iron set for medium heat. Remove the fabric several times from the paper and iron the paper dry so you can again use it to soak up more water from the fabric and thread. Just before the piece is dry, spray it with a little spray starch and iron until it is dry. Never apply the spray starch to the front (the starch will leave a funny, shiny film). After the fabric has been ironed dry, spray it twice (front and back) with Scotch Guard. This will preserve it and keep it from fading or yellowing. Now it is ready for framing.
This recipe and procedure may be used on all colors of cotton and cotton blend, even-weave material, and on all types of thread. As long as you set the colors with the water and vinegar, there should be not color running at all. The vinegar will also close the holes a little on the unstitched material. By using the paper towels, you will iron out all the wrinkles from your material and the stitches will STAND OUT from the fabric giving your work of art a more professional look.
-Ben Franklin
