How to Wash an Embroidered Sweatshirt: Washing, Drying and Care
Cold wash
Machine embroidery is the most durable way to decorate clothing: it does not fade like print, it does not crack and it does not peel. To keep your embroidered sweatshirt looking a year from now the way it did the day it arrived, you only need a few simple rules. Below: washing, drying and ironing step by step, plus stains and storage.
- Wash inside out in cold water (up to 86°F) on a low spin.
- Dry flat, skip the tumble dryer and keep it out of direct sun.
- Iron on the reverse side or through a pressing cloth.
- Rinse stains with cold water and apply stain remover next to the embroidery.
The key rules in short
Watch out for zippers and VelcroDo not wash your embroidered sweatshirt with items that have zippers, Velcro or hooks; they can snag the threads.
Washing an embroidered sweatshirt step by step
- Turn the sweatshirt inside out: the embroidery is protected and does not rub against the drum or other clothes.
- Use cold water, up to 86°F: thick cotton fleece can shrink at higher temperatures, and the threads can lose their sheen.
- Choose a delicate cycle, or a cotton cycle with a low spin. A hard spin crushes the embroidery and pulls the sweatshirt out of shape.
- Go easy on detergent: too much detergent settles in dense embroidery and leaves a white residue.
- Take it out right away: do not soak it for hours or leave it wet in the machine, because dark threads can bleed onto light fabric.
Drying
After washing, gently pull the sweatshirt back into shape and smooth the embroidery with your fingers. Dry it flat on a drying rack or on a wide hanger in a well-ventilated spot. The tumble dryer is the most common reason a sweatshirt shrinks and the embroidery puckers, so skip it. Direct sunlight fades colors, so dry it in the shade.
Ironing
You can iron cotton, but always on the reverse side and on low or medium heat. If you want to iron around the embroidery on the right side, lay a clean cotton cloth over it first. An iron placed directly on the threads can melt or flatten them.
Safest option: a steamerA steamer smooths the cotton without touching the embroidery, so the threads keep their raised texture.
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Stains on and around the embroidery
- Rinse a fresh stain with cold water and gently work in a mild soap. Do not scrub the embroidery with a brush.
- Apply stain remover to the fabric next to the embroidery, not to the threads. Choose oxygen-based products, not chlorine.
- Rinse off deodorant and cosmetics before washing, because heat sets them into cotton.
Storage
Embroidered sweatshirts are best folded rather than hung on thin hangers that stretch the shoulders. Fold so the embroidery does not crease in half, and for longer storage place a piece of tissue paper or cotton over it.
What if a thread pulls loose
Do not cut a single loose thread flush with the fabric and do not pull it further. Use a needle to pull it through to the inside and trim it there. If the embroidery has lost its shape in the wash, iron it on the reverse side through a damp cloth. If there is a defect in workmanship, write to us and we will make it right with a free reprint or a refund; see our refund policy.
What about printed t-shirts?
Print needs similar care: wash inside out in cold water, no dryer and no ironing over the print. Print is flexible and does not crack when washed correctly, but unlike embroidery it does not like heat. You will find a comparison of both techniques in our article embroidery vs. print.
What our customers say
Real customer reviews of our embroidery and prints.
The gift was spot on. My daughter-in-law was surprised and happy, and everyone loved the sweatshirt. Thank you again for the great experience.Megan L. · Embroidered sweatshirt
Great communication with the seller and very fast production and delivery. A brilliant gift idea. Highly recommend!Amanda T. · Embroidered sweatshirt
Super fast order processing, and the quality is amazing. I don't think this will be my only order.Claire Z. · Printed t-shirt
The sweatshirt is great in both quality and looks. This is my second order from Koval Customs and I'm happy.Natalie J. · Embroidered sweatshirt
New here? Use code WELCOME10 for 10% off your first order.
Questions and answers
Can I machine wash embroidery?
Yes: in the washing machine, inside out, in cold water (up to 86°F) and on a low spin. Hand washing is not necessary.
Will the embroidery fade after a few washes?
No. Machine embroidery threads are dyed through and made to withstand washing. They only fade from bleach and long exposure to the sun.
Will the sweatshirt shrink?
Washed in cold water and air-dried, the cotton keeps its size. Shrinking happens mostly after the tumble dryer and hot washes.
How often should I wash an embroidered sweatshirt?
As rarely as you can. A sweatshirt worn over a t-shirt usually just needs airing out and a wash every few wears. Every wash means a little wear on the fabric.
Want a sweatshirt that lasts for years?
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