Whether you have a t-shirt, sweatshirt, hood, or accessory, embroidered items are the most striking in a wardrobe. They are beautiful and allow you to customize your clothes to suit your style and personality. They’re also one of the most cost-effective ways to promote your business or organization with a classic embroidered logo.
While there is not a lot of difference in terms of care when compared to regular clothes, there are certain things you should do to ensure the embroidery and stitches remain looking new for years to come.
Hand Wash the Items
Hand washing is gentler on garments and stitches than machine wash. Fill your sink or basin with cold water and ensure it is clean with no residue from prior cleaning agents to avoid damage. Cold water prevents dye bleeding and the clothes from stretching and distorting the embroidery.
Use Mild Cleaning Products
Always use a gentle detergent that will dissolve in the water and leave minimal to no residue on the embroidered fabric. If you notice any stains, use a mild stain remover and let the item sit in it for around ten minutes before you start hand washing. If its background fabric needs whitening or brightening, choose a gentle oxygen-based bleach but never chlorine bleach.
Be Gentle and Avoid Scrubbing
Place the whole item into the water, ensuring every part becomes wet. Gently move it around the water without wringing or twisting the fabric. If you must rub the cloth to clean it, don’t rub it directly against your embroidery. After around ten minutes, drain the water, refill with clean water to rinse, and repeat until the water is clear.
Never scrub your embroidered clothes, even if you notice a stain. Using a brush will damage the thread and fibers, leaving it fuzzy. If you must throw it in a washing machine, use a gentle cycle, have the garment inside a laundry bag, and turn the item inside out.
Avoid Washing with Other Clothing
Whether hand washing or machine washing, avoid cleaning your embroidered clothes with other clothes, especially those with zippers or other metallic pieces, to prevent pulling on the stitches.
Let Them Air Dry
Like the washing machine, a dryer can be harsh on the embroidery. It could result in fuzzy threads and shrink the clothing, distorting the embroidery. It also increases the chances of the stitches coming apart because of the increased friction and movement. It is recommended to roll your embroidered item in a towel to remove excess water, then leave it to dry on a flat surface.
Take Care when Ironing
Never iron your items directly on the embroidery, as the high heat will cause damage. Always reverse the clothes and iron the back of the embroidery. You can also iron the clothes between two other garments and never wet the embroidery before ironing.
Secure Loose Threads and Stitches
The stitches on your clothes experience a lot of friction and movement that could make the stitches fall apart if not properly secured. You can knot any loose threads or use an iron-on embroidery stabilizer and insert it inside the clothing. This reduces the friction exposed to the stitching.
Don’t Starch the Clothes Before Storing
Starching clothes before storing them keeps them crisp and prevents wrinkling. It also keeps the clothes from smelling sweaty and makes ironing easier. However, starching your embroidered clothes is not a good idea because that could make them more prone to damage. It could also attract insects that might damage the stitches. Only starch your embroidered clothes when you want to wear them.
Key Takeaway
Since numerous threads and yarns are used in embroidery, always look at the packaging or ask your embroiderer for instructions. Alternatively, you can reach out to your seller for the best tips if you are still trying to figure out what to do. Contact RiverCity Screenprinting & Embroidery any time for more specific care instructions for your embroidered clothing—our team will be happy to help!