How to Wash Crochet: Blankets, Amigurumi, Cotton and Wool
Most crochet can be machine washed — if you know the fibre. Check the label, use a laundry bag and cool water, and always dry flat. Exactly how to wash acrylic, cotton, wool, chenille and amigurumi without stretching or felting.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Beginner
- Time
- 30 minutes plus drying
You'll need
- Mesh laundry bag
- Mild detergent or wool wash
- Towels
- A flat drying surface
In this post
How you wash crochet depends on the fibre. Acrylic and cotton can go in the washing machine in a mesh laundry bag on a gentle, cool cycle. Wool should be hand washed in cool water (or machine washed only if it's labelled superwash) because heat and agitation felt it. Whatever the fibre, never hang crochet to dry: lay it flat so its own weight doesn't stretch it.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
Washing by fibre
| Fibre | Wash | Dry |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | Machine, warm, gentle, in a bag | Flat, or tumble on low |
| Cotton | Machine, warm or hot (dishcloths), gentle | Flat or tumble low — may shrink slightly |
| Wool (not superwash) | Hand wash, cool, wool wash, no rubbing | Flat, away from heat |
| Superwash wool | Machine, cool, wool cycle | Flat |
| Chenille / velvet | Hand wash or gentle cold cycle in a bag | Flat — never tumble hot |
Hand washing, step by step
- Fill a basin with cool or lukewarm water and a little mild detergent or wool wash.
- Submerge the piece and press it gently. Don't rub or twist.
- Let it soak for 15 minutes, then drain and refill with clean water to rinse (skip if using a no-rinse wool wash).
- Press out the water, then roll it in a towel and press to remove more.
- Lay it flat on a dry towel, shape it, and let it dry — turn it over once.
Amigurumi and blankets
- Amigurumi: Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. For a full wash, put it in a pillowcase on a gentle cold cycle and air dry; safety eyes and glued parts are safer hand washed.
- Blankets: Machine wash on gentle in a large bag or pillowcase; dry flat over two drying racks or a bed with towels.
- Pot holders and dishcloths: 100% cotton — wash hot with towels.
Washing also softens stiff crochet: how to make crochet softer. Reshaping after washing is the same as blocking. Washing a chenille plushie? See chenille tips.
Common questions
Can you put crochet in the washing machine?
Acrylic and cotton, yes — gentle cycle in a mesh bag. Wool only if it's superwash; otherwise hand wash.
Can I tumble dry crochet?
Acrylic and cotton can go on low heat. Wool and chenille should always air dry flat.
Why did my crochet stretch after washing?
It was hung up while wet, or washed on a heavy cycle. Reshape it damp and dry it flat.
Machine or hand wash — what's your rule? 🧺
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