How to Wash and Store Your Crochet Bag Without Ruining It
A complete care guide for handmade crochet bags, totes, and accessories, so your pieces stay beautiful for years.
Handmade crochet bags are not like your average tote. They are crafted stitch by stitch, often using natural-inspired fibers that require a little more attention than machine-made alternatives. If you've invested in a quality handmade piece — or you're thinking about it — knowing how to properly wash and store it is the difference between a bag that lasts one season and one that becomes a staple of your wardrobe for years.
This guide covers everything you need to know: what to avoid, how to hand wash safely, how to dry without distorting the shape, and the best way to store your crochet bag when it's not in use.
Why Crochet Bags Need Special Care
Crochet fabric is made of interlocked loops. That structure gives it stretch, texture, and that signature handmade look — but it also means the fibers behave very differently from woven fabric. Aggressive washing, high heat, or rough handling can cause the loops to snag, stretch unevenly, or pill.
The good news is that proper care is simple once you understand the basics.
Step 1: Check the Fiber Content Before Doing Anything
Before washing, always check what your bag is made of. Different fibers have different needs:
Cotton and cotton blends are the most forgiving. They can handle gentle hand washing with cool water and mild soap.
Wool and wool blends require extra care — wool felts (shrinks and mats permanently) when exposed to heat or agitation. Always use cold water and handle gently.
Acrylic and synthetic fibers are the most durable and easiest to clean, but they can still lose shape if washed in hot water or put in a dryer on high heat.
Natural-inspired fiber blends — like those used by Lune de Wool — are designed for beauty and durability, but still benefit from hand washing over machine washing.
When in doubt, always go gentler than you think you need to.
Step 2: Empty and Spot Clean First
Before a full wash, always:
- Remove everything from the bag — crumbs, receipts, loose items
- Shake it gently over a trash bin to remove dust and debris
- Check for specific stains and treat them first
For stains: Apply a small amount of gentle liquid soap (dish soap or baby shampoo works well) directly to the stain. Use your fingertip or a soft toothbrush to work it in very gently in a circular motion. Let it sit for 2–3 minutes, then rinse with cold water.
Spot cleaning is often enough for light everyday dirt, and it avoids the stress of a full wash.
Step 3: Hand Wash With Cool Water
For a full clean, hand washing is always the safest method for crochet bags.
What you need:
- A clean sink or basin
- Cool or lukewarm water (never hot)
- A small amount of gentle soap — wool wash, baby shampoo, or a mild dish soap
How to do it:
- Fill the basin with cool water and add a small squeeze of soap. Mix gently until dissolved.
- Submerge the bag and gently squeeze the water through the fibers. Do not scrub, wring, or twist — these motions distort the stitches.
- Let it soak for 5–10 minutes.
- Drain the soapy water and refill with clean cool water.
- Gently squeeze the rinse water through the bag. Repeat until the water runs clear and soap-free.
The key word throughout is gentle. You are moving water through the fibers, not scrubbing fabric against itself.
Can You Machine Wash a Crochet Bag?
This is one of the most common questions — and the honest answer is: it depends, but we generally recommend against it for handmade pieces.
If you do use a machine, use cold water only, the delicate cycle, and place the bag inside a mesh laundry bag to protect it from snagging on other items. Never use the spin cycle at high speed, as this can stretch or distort the shape permanently.
For any handcrafted crochet bag — especially one with decorative elements like bag charms, tassels, or embellishments — machine washing is not recommended. The agitation can cause charms to snag, loops to stretch, and the overall shape to distort.
Step 4: Dry It the Right Way
How you dry your crochet bag matters as much as how you wash it.
Never put a crochet bag in the dryer. Heat causes fibers to shrink, felt, or warp, and tumbling causes distortion and snagging.
The right way to dry:
- After rinsing, gently press the bag between two clean towels to absorb as much water as possible. Do not wring or twist.
- Reshape the bag with your hands while it is still damp. This is your chance to bring it back to its original form — push the base flat, smooth out the sides, and make sure the opening is not collapsed.
- Lay it flat on a clean dry towel or a drying rack in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
- Allow it to dry completely before using or storing it. This can take anywhere from a few hours to overnight depending on the thickness of the yarn.
Drying flat is important because hanging a wet crochet bag causes it to stretch downward under its own weight, permanently distorting the shape.
Step 5: Store It Properly Between Uses
Good storage protects your bag from dust, moisture, and shape distortion over time.
Stuff it to hold its shape. When not in use, lightly stuff your crochet bag with tissue paper or a soft cloth to help it maintain its form. Avoid newspaper, which can transfer ink.
Store in a breathable bag. A cotton dust bag or a clean pillowcase is ideal. Avoid plastic bags, which trap moisture and can cause mildew on natural fibers.
Keep it away from direct sunlight. Prolonged sun exposure can fade colors, especially in natural dyes or vivid yarns.
Don't stack heavy items on top of it. Crochet bags can be compressed and misshapen if stored under pressure for long periods.
For long-term storage, tuck a small sachet of cedar or lavender inside to deter moths and keep the fibers fresh.
What About Bag Charms and Embellishments?
If your crochet bag has decorative bag charms — like the crocheted seastar, seashell, or moon charms — remove them before washing whenever possible. Most charms are attached with lobster clips or simple loops, making them easy to detach and reattach.
Wash the charms separately by hand using the same gentle method, and allow them to dry fully before reattaching.
Quick Reference: Crochet Bag Care
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Hand wash with cool water | Machine wash on hot or heavy cycles |
| Use mild soap | Use bleach or harsh detergents |
| Press gently with a towel to remove water | Wring or twist the bag |
| Dry flat and reshape while damp | Put in a dryer or hang to dry while wet |
| Stuff with tissue paper for storage | Store in plastic or under heavy items |
| Remove charms before washing | Wash charms attached to the bag |
How Often Should You Wash a Crochet Bag?
Crochet bags do not need to be washed after every use. In fact, overwashing accelerates fiber wear.
A general guideline: spot clean as needed, and do a full hand wash every few months or when the bag looks or smells like it needs it. If you use it daily and it comes into contact with food, sunscreen, or heavy dirt, wash it more frequently.
The more gently and infrequently you wash it, the longer it will last.
About Lune de Wool
Lune de Wool is a handmade accessories brand inspired by the moon, creating slow-fashion pieces designed to last. Every bag, glove, scarf, and charm is crafted with intention using natural-inspired fibers and thoughtful construction — built for real life, not just one season.
Lune de Wool's collection includes crochet tote bags, mesh bags, fingerless gloves, triangle scarves, and a range of handmade bag charms including seashells, seastars, moons, lemons, and lobsters. Each piece is made slowly and with care, which is why proper care at home helps it live up to its full potential.
Shop the full collection at lunedewool.com.
Have questions about caring for your Lune de Wool piece? Reach out through the Contact page — we're always happy to help.
