The Ultimate Guide: How to Clean and Care for Needle-Felted & Knitted Wool Art

You’ve just adopted a handcrafted Woobbi, maybe a tiny needle-felted charm for your bag or a squishy knitted plush for your desk. But then life happens. Dust settles, coffee spills, or it just needs a refresh.

A common question we get at our Austin studio is: “Can I put this in the washing machine?”

The short answer: Please don't! (Unless you want a very tiny, very hard wool rock).

Because wool is a natural fiber with microscopic scales, hot water and agitation will cause it to shrink and felt further. But don’t worry—cleaning your wool treasures is easy if you know the right techniques. Here is how we care for our collection.

Know Your Wool: Felting vs. Knitting

Before you clean, check which type of Woobbi friend you have.

• Needle-Felted Sculptures (Charms/Magnets): dense, solid, and structural.
• Knitted Plushes: soft, flexible, and made of spun yarn.

Method 1: The "Air Bath" (Best for Dust)

For: Both Needle-Felted & Knitted items

Wool is naturally dirt-repellent. Often, what looks like "dirty" is just surface dust.

1. Take your Woobbi outside.
2. Gently tap it to release dust.
3. If you have a knitted plush, give it a gentle squeeze to "exhale" dust from inside the stuffing

Method 2: Spot Cleaning (Best for Stains)

For: Small stains on any wool item

Did a drop of tea land on your sheep? Act fast!

1. Dab, Don't Rub: Rubbing will frizz the wool. Use a clean cloth to blot up the liquid.
2. Cool Water & Wool Soap: Mix a tiny drop of wool-safe detergent (or mild baby shampoo) into cool water.
3. The Sponge Technique: Dip a sponge or cloth in the bubbly water, wring it out until it's just damp, and gently press it onto the stain. Repeat until clean.

Method 3: The "Haircut" (Best for Frizz)

For: Needle-Felted Charms

Over time, friction (especially on bag charms) can cause stray fibers to stick out. This is normal!

• Do not pull them. Pulling drags more fiber out.
• Trim them. Take a small pair of sharp scissors and gently trim the fuzz close to the surface. Your sculpture will look brand new.

The "Never-Do" List

To keep your Woobbi lasting forever:

• ❌ NEVER use hot water.
• ❌ NEVER put in the washing machine or dryer.
• ❌ NEVER use harsh chemical cleaners (bleach dissolves wool!).

Treat your wool art like a living thing, with gentleness and care, and it will stay cozy for a lifetime.