Caring for Your Wet-Felted and Nuno-Felted Accessories

Caring for your felted pieces is easy and proper care keeps them looking beautiful for years.

Less is more.

Even if you wear a wool or wool and silk blend scarf every day, you’ll probably only need to clean it once a season. You can spot-clean as needed with cool water and a wool-safe, no-rinse detergent.

When it’s time for a full wash:

1. Fill a basin with cool water and add a wool/silk-safe detergent following the instructions on the label. Typically, you’ll only need a few drops of detergent.

2. Submerge and squeeze gently—no twisting or wringing. Let the item rest in the solution for about 15 minutes.

3. Lift it out carefully, press in a towel to remove excess water, and reshape while damp.

4. Lay flat to air-dry away from heat and sunlight.

Don’t panic if the color bleeds a little, especially the first time you wash the item. Do not dry-clean or machine-dry your pieces. The felting process has already done all the shrinking and bonding they’ll ever need.

Between wearings:

Keep your items fresh with a light misting of my Freshening Spray.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 spray bottle

• ¾ cup distilled water

• ¼ cup rubbing alcohol (70%) or high-proof vodka

• 10 drops cedarwood essential oil

• 10 drops lavender essential oil

Shake the container before each use and test first on a small area. Lightly mist—never soak—and let the item air-dry.

For off-season storage:

Fold or roll loosely, store in a clean, dry place, and tuck in a lavender or cedar sachet to deter moths.

These pieces are meant to be worn and enjoyed every day. Treat them with care and they’ll reward you with years of color, texture, and character.

Follow my creative process and see new work as it unfolds on Instagram @jmurphyworks.