I always rinse my projects in COLD water with a little DAWN dish soap. The reason I specified DAWN is because I have been told by many, many stitchers and some shop owners to specifically use that product. Don't know what makes it any different than Joy or Palmolive. I've also used DAWN for hand washables as opposed to Woolite. Oh yes, I also use it in my kitchen for washing dishes!!!!

I do agree with Nancy about NEVER woolite. Use Dawn or a soap meant just for this...like Orvus or Restoration. If it does run, you just must rinse, change to clear cold water, rinse again, change water....until it rinses clear...no bleeding, that is!

I hesitate to say this, but you can choose to not wash it. Beware that, even though you don't see it, oils from your hands can show up later and become visible. One way to avoid bkeeding is to wash the bright colors in cold water, following the rinse-change water-rinse-change-water, etc. Until clear, no bleeding. While I hate doing this because it takes time and I want to just stitch right away, it gives you some peace of mind. Some of the overdyed floss makers recommend not washing because it alters their colors or changes the variegated look of their floss. I only use either DMC or Weeks Dye Works overdyes because they are labelled colorfast. That means no bleeding. WDW only has about 1-2% of their overdyes that are not colorfast and are so labelled.

I am not an employee of ECS, just a stitcher in thix chat who wanted to expand on Nancye's reply to you.

I do the stamped cross stitch, table cloths and crib quits. I always wash mine in the washing machine to get the ink out of the fabric. I have never had a problem with the dark colors, including red, bleeding. I use what ever detergent I have at the time.

Hi, I always put mine in a "bra bag" and use the programme for delicates plus a conditioner. I use my normal detergent and have never had any bad results.

I wouldn't use a conditioner...anything that "coats" or adheres to textiles could discolor in time. :)

I would soak item in COLD water with a small bit of Dawn like the other stitchers stated. Any re-rinsing should be done in cold water as well. Keep re-rinsing (soaking) in cold water until the water is clear.

Thank you all for your suggestions and for replying to my post!

I have recently finished this one, too. It is so cute and fun. Can enjoy all year long.

After I finish any stitching project I wash it in warm water on gentle in my washing machine. I use Purex liquid soap and Downy fabric softener. I have never had any problems with anything bleeding or discoloring.

We are most definitely on the same page Vcess. I love your writing style.