Yarn things often last longest when you wash them least. This post gives general ideas for blankets, hats and crocheted animals. It is advice for yarn in general. It is not a confirmed Mikono wash method.
We have not published a wash method for our animals. When we do, it will go on the care page first.
Why washing less helps
Each wash rubs yarn against itself and against the drum. Over time the surface gets rough and the colour can fade. Fewer washes means less wear.
Think of a favourite jumper. The one you wash every week fades first. The one you brush and air lasts longer. Yarn is the same.
There is a second reason. Synthetic fabrics shed tiny fibres in the wash. A University of Plymouth study found that acrylic shed many more fibres than a polyester cotton blend. PBS NewsHour reports that cotton and wool shed too. Washing less cuts the shedding, whatever the fibre.
A five minute routine
- Look at the item in good light. Check for marks, loose strands and flat patches.
- Brush off dry dust with a soft brush or the flat of your hand.
- Dab a mark with a cloth wet with cool water. Try this before soap.
- If a strand comes loose, do not pull it. Tuck it back in with a blunt needle or a crochet hook.
- Leave the item in open air for an afternoon, out of direct sun.
Do this once a month for things you handle every day. Do it before you store something for a season. A quick look catches small problems before they grow.
If it really needs a wash
Some marks will not lift with a dab. For synthetic yarn in general, advice for fewer shed fibres is simple. Use cool water and a little detergent. Wash a full load. Line dry it instead of using a dryer.
A full load does not make sense for one small animal. So for us the tip is to keep the machine out of it. Try your method on a small hidden spot first. If colour comes onto the cloth, stop and ask us.
Keep bleach away from coloured yarn, because it can strip the colour. Keep hot water away too, since heat can change how yarn feels.
Bags and balls sold to catch fibres in the machine catch only part of them, says PBS NewsHour. Some can be rough on delicate fabric. They are not a reason to wash more often.
Where to keep your things
Keep yarn things somewhere dry with air around them. Do not shut them in a sealed bag, where damp can collect. Fold a crocheted blanket flat, because hanging can stretch it. Keep long manes, like our lion's, free of squashing.
Light matters too. Strong sun can fade colour over many months, so a shelf away from the window is a better home.
Slow fashion in one sentence
Slow fashion is a name for buying less and keeping things longer. The idea suits yarn well. A yarn thing can be brushed, mended and used for years.
Pick one thing you own that is made of yarn. Give it five minutes this weekend. Skip the wash.
