Crochet Care Guide

A little gentle care helps keep your crochet creations looking their best. Always follow any care instructions supplied with your individual item. If you are unsure about its yarn, filling or decorations, ask Suselle at Creations by Zel before washing.

Start with spot-cleaning

For a small mark, spot-clean rather than wetting the whole item. Test a hidden area first with a soft, white cloth lightly dampened with cool water and a little mild detergent. Dab gently without rubbing or soaking. Use another lightly dampened cloth to lift detergent residue, then let the area air-dry fully.

Use spot-cleaning only while care details are unconfirmed, or for items with unknown materials, delicate attachments, glued details, mixed components or parts that should not be immersed. Avoid wetting eyes, joins and decorative attachments. If colour transfers or the texture changes during testing, stop and contact us.

Handwashing versus gentle machine washing

Handwashing offers more control over agitation than a machine, but it is not suitable for every crochet item. Only fully wash an item when its care instructions or Suselle confirm that it can be immersed.

For an item confirmed suitable for handwashing, use cool water and a small amount of mild detergent. Support its shape, gently press the water through it and rinse carefully. Do not scrub, twist, wring or leave it soaking for long periods.

A gentle machine cycle is not automatically safe for crochet. Machine-wash only if Suselle has specifically confirmed that method for your individual item, and follow the confirmed temperature and cycle instructions. Place an approved item in a securely closed mesh laundry bag to reduce snagging and wash separately from zips, hooks and rough fabrics. A mesh bag does not make an otherwise unsuitable item machine washable.

This guide does not confirm machine-washing suitability for plush crochet toys. 

Drying without stretching

After an approved wash, support the entire item and gently press out water with a clean towel and allow to air dry.

Allow the inside of any filled item to dry completely before using or storing it. A dry surface does not necessarily mean the filling is dry. Do not tumble-dry unless Suselle has explicitly confirmed dryer suitability for your individual item. Dryer safety is not confirmed here for any of the three examples below.

Storage

Store only when completely dry, in a clean, cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Use a breathable bag or cover to protect against dust, avoid crushing shaped or filled pieces, and keep crochet toys away from sharp objects that could snag stitches. Check stored pieces occasionally for dampness.

Not sure? Ask before washing

Contact Suselle at Creations by Zel with the item name and, if possible, a photo. Confirm the cleaning method for your particular creation before doing more than gentle spot-cleaning. This guide makes no hypoallergenic or age-suitability claims.