Now that you’ve taken down the Christmas decorations, stockings and tree skirt, you notice, they aren’t as clean and vibrant in color as they were last year. How do you clean those stockings?

Here’s what to know.

How to wash holiday stockings

Stockings come in a variety of materials, learn more here:

• Velvet: Stockings made from velvet should be dry cleaned by a professional cleaner.
• Needlepoint: Needlepoint stockings are beautiful to brighten the colors, give them a good vacuuming with the upholstery brush. If they are stained, take them to a professional dry cleaner.
• Cross-Stitch: Cross-stitch is usually done on a fabric that can be hand-washed. Be sure to test the threads for colorfastness before proceeding.
• Felt: Felt stockings should also head to a dry cleaner.
• Knit or Crochet: These stockings are the easiest to clean. Hand-wash in lukewarm water with a gentle detergent just like a sweater. Rinse well—never wring out water or the fabrics will stretch. Dry flat and reshape to the correct size.
• Wool: Wool woven stockings can be hand-washed in tepid water or sent to a professional cleaner. Dry flat
• Quilted: Quilted stockings should be hand-washed in cool water to prevent fading or color bleeding. Dry flat.

Christmas tree skirts

II the fabric is washable, go ahead and wash it according to its instructions. If it’s covered in beads, appliques, sequins, or anything like that, Leverette recommends taking it to the dry cleaner.

Holiday throws, blankets, and pillows

For most of these, you can simply follow the cleaning instructions on the label—whether that’s hand-washing, popping them in the machine, or dry-cleaning them. Check throw pillows to see if they have a removable cover, and if so, follow their directions.

POSTED IN: CHRISTMAS | SOURCE