How to Wash Fringes and Tassels

Photo by Artem Beliaikin from Pexels

Fringes, tassels, however you want to call it, are artfully made to hem fabrics. Delicate yet festive, they bring a new level of design to anything that they border.

The thing about fringes and tassels is that they are sometimes made of different materials than what they are attached on. No matter, though, they are very delicate and need a considerable amount of attention.

Have you ever noticed how they started to thin down and unravel? It may be because you have dumped them in your washer and let it get tugged by the other things you wash along with them.

It is then essential to learn how to clean them properly to keep them looking pretty and sturdy for long.

Get To Know Their Material

At first glance, you may assume that they are of the same materials. But no!

We already established how delicate they are, but their level of delicacy is what differs. What they are made of, and how they were structured determines the cleaning method that you should use.

Older tassels/ fringes are exceptionally delicate and tend to be of materials that are quite rare too.

For example, some curtains are made of centuries-old silk and hemmed with tassels covered in real 24K gold leaves. You obviously cannot wash them with water!

In case you inherit your family’s gold or silver fringe-y heirlooms, it would be best to take them to a restorer. Most museums have resident fabric restorers that can consult to help you restore your delicate tassels as if they were made relatively recently.

The same goes if your tassels or fringes are of metallic fabric or wool. They are very delicate, and could only be cleaned by brushing off dirt and very gentle hand washing.

But what if these old tassels were made of vintage lace, and attached to equally delicate laces? Well, we have an article on that!

Go check out our article on how to clean laces. Spoiler alert though, it’s not that hard!

Okay, but what if they have elaborate designs, are pretty thick, and appear lace-ish?

Again, another article on that! Go read our article on how to clean macrame so that you will have a guide on what you should do.

No further questions? Let’s proceed to clean your typical cotton tassels and fringes!

Choose Your Fighter

Whatever they are attached on, it is best to tie the tassels like you would with long hair (mostly). This prevents them from unravelling, as well as ensuring that they would get the power cleaning they deserve.

Tassels nowadays are made of the same material as the one they are attached— for example, your typical scarf.

If they are of cotton or synthetic fibres, wash them as you would typically do. Just do not over-agitate it, or else they would come off their ties and start flailing around.

But what if they are attached to a carpet, or are standalone decors? Well, cleaning the fringes are easier than it sounds!

After doing your regular vacuuming, spread out a sheet of plastic under the tassels and carefully brush the dirt out of them. No need to tie, just let them be!

Then, when you are satisfied, make a mixture of 1 tablespoon ammonia and a cup of warm water. Dip a cloth, squeeze out the excess, then wipe the fringes down.

After you are sure that all the individual tassels have been cleaned, rinse them with a mixture of 1 tablespoon vinegar and a cup of warm water. Dip another cloth into this, then “rinse” the tassels.

Air-dry the entire thing, and ta-da! You have well-cleaned and pretty tassels to show!

No Time, No Problem!

So, you have no time to clean your tasselled fabrics? For Singapore residents, you do not need to worry!

You can contact us for laundry pick up and delivery. And yes, we serve the entire island!

Need a shopping list? Here are our services & prices.

Cleaning delicate edges have never been this easy. Go hit us up, stat!