Needlepoint should be handled very carefully. After all, you’ve just spent quite a lot of time and expense creating and stitching it. Normal dust and grime can destroy the beauty and luster of your finished needlepoint piece; so to keep it looking as if it was just framed or completed, use these four tips.
1. Use a Hand-Held Vacuum to Clean Needlepoint
A hand-held vacuum gives you more control over the air flow. Do not use an upright vacuum with attached cleaning tools. It may damage he threads and fibers and loosen the stitching. Cover the mouth of the hand-held vacuum with tulle or light mesh fabric. Where possible, remove stuffing or inserts from around the needlepoint before vacuuming.
2. Take it to a Professional Needlepoint Finisher
If you’re not sure what to do, don’t try to clean the needlepoint yourself. Locate a professional needlepoint finisher or contact your local museum to get the names of qualified technicians who specialize in needlework restoration.
3. Hand Wash with Caution
Depending on the fibers used in creating the needlepoint, you can wash it by hand. Use a special solution like Orvus Equine Soap. Technically Orvus Equine is not soap; it just makes water wetter and does not leave a residue. The soap is manufactured by Proctor & Gamble.
4. Get a Copy of The Needlework Doctor: How to Solve Every Kind of Needlework Problem by Mary Kay Davis
This book gives detailed, step by step instructions on choosing the best cleaning method for your finished needlepoint. You will be able to decide whether to dry clean or wash and learn how to do it.
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