A hand-knit scarf from Grandma. A crocheted hat from your best friend. Fingerless gloves from the holiday craft market. Handmade winter accessories are thoughtful, cozy, and often one-of-a-kind. But once they’ve been worn a few times they’ll need to be cleaned. And that’s where things can get tricky. Unlike machine-made clothes, handmade winter accessories often require special care.

Tossing them in with the rest of your laundry could lead to shrinking, stretching, or unraveling. Before you risk it, let’s walk through how to wash them properly—and what to do with the rest of your laundry while you’re at it.

Why Handmade Accessories Need Special Care

Most handmade accessories are made from natural fibers like wool, alpaca, or cotton. These materials don’t react well to high heat, heavy agitation, or strong detergents. Even machine-washable yarn can lose its shape if not treated carefully.

To protect the color, texture, and shape of your favorite handmade items, follow these tips closely.

How to Wash Handmade Winter Accessories Safely

The safest way to clean knit or crocheted accessories is by hand. Here’s a quick method:

1. Fill a clean basin with lukewarm water
2. Add a small amount of gentle detergent or wool wash
3. Submerge the item and soak for 10–15 minutes
4. Gently swish—don’t wring, stretch, or scrub
5. Rinse with cool water until clear
6. Press out water with a clean towel and lay flat to dry

Avoid using the dryer or hanging these items, as it can stretch the fibers.

How to Handle the Rest of Your Winter Laundry

You might want to take special care of your knit hat—but do you really want to spend your weekend washing towels, jeans, and bedsheets too?

That’s where Loads of Clothes Laundry in Donelson and Hermitage makes a big difference.

Ready for Effortless Laundry? Visit Loads of Clothes Laundry

Loads of Clothes self-serve laundromats feature large-capacity machines, gentle cycles, and commercial-grade cleaning power that gets the rest of your laundry done quickly and efficiently. While you take your time with the delicate stuff, we’ve got everything else covered.

From winter bedding and jackets to weekly laundry piles, we’re here to help you stay warm, clean, and stress-free this season.

Stop by our Donelson or Hermitage location today and see why we’re your neighborhood laundromat for fast, easy, done-right laundry.