Custom embroidery patches are little pieces that enhance the appeal of your clothing and accessories. They are also a great means of telling stories and expressing personality. Like every other valuable possession, this one also needs gentle care to maintain its vibrant and fresh look.
Cleaning them may feel like a hectic chore and risky, as any wrong can damage their appearance or minimize functionality. But fear not, as we have shared a step-by-step process of how to clean them the right way. So, familiarize yourself with them and follow the procedure to maintain the appearance of your appealing pieces.
7 Easy Steps To Clean Your Custom Embroidered Patches
1. Assess Patch’s Material
Find out the material of your patch so that you can wash it accordingly. Each fabric requires a different approach for cleaning to ensure they remain as if they’re new. Mostly custom embroidery patches are made out of polyester, cotton, or a blend of these fabrics. The thread used for embroidery usually consists of cotton, polyester, or even metallic material. Hence, identify the ones used in your emblem, plus take note of the presence of any delicate elements within it, such as beads or sequins.
2. Spot Test
Once you have figured out the fabric and other materials used in your customized embroidered badge, conduct a spot test. It will help you figure out the suitability of detergents with your emblem. Choose a specific area within your insignia and apply a small amount of your desired cleaning solution onto it.
You can use any mild detergent, fabric cleaner, or even only water, depending on your material. Gently dab the solution onto the piece and observe for a while. If there is no adverse reaction, such as fabric damage or colour bleeding, you’re all set to proceed to the next step.
3. Wash It By Your Hands
Hand washing is the safest and most effective method for cleaning your custom made embroidery patches. Fill in your basin, sink, or tub with lukewarm water and pour a small amount of mild detergent. Swirl the water with your hands for a while to create foam. Pour your badges into the water and gently stir them up for a bit. Don’t rub or scrub harshly, especially if your emblem has some delicate embellishments on it. Soak them in the detergent water for about fifteen to twenty minutes.
4. Rinse Them Thoroughly
Once you have soaked badges for enough time, drain the soapy water and refill your tub or basin with clean lukewarm water. Gently rinse each piece under the running water to remove all traces of detergent. Considering this step will ensure that there is no residue remaining, which can diminish the insignia’s vibrancy over time.
5. Dry Your Patches
Place your customized embroidered badges onto a clean towel to remove their excess water. Avoid twisting them, as it can distort their shape. Use another towel to pat the emblems till they soak up the remaining moisture. Once motifs are no longer dripping wet, place them on any flat and clean surface to air dry. Keep them away from sunlight or heat sources, as their appearance can fade or size can shrink due to it.
6. Iron To Remove Wrinkles
You should gently iron your custom-made embroidery badges if they have wrinkles after washing or drying. It will also help you restore their crispness. Keep a parchment paper or thin cloth piece over the badge to protect it from direct heat. Set up with a warm iron-on with an appropriate temperature setting for your patch’s fabric and provide heat all across the badge.
7. Store In A Clean & Dry Place
Once your customized badges are clean and dry, store them in a cool, dry setting, away from moisture and sunlight. Don’t fold them, as it can cause creases that are difficult to remove.
Useful Ideas To Elevate Style With Custom Embroidery Patches
Once you have cleaned custom embroidered patches, here are some ideas to elevate your style using them,
Include Shopping Totes In Your Elevating Game
Are you a person who takes a tote bag along with you every time you go shopping? If yes, it means this reusable accessory is part of your routine and you can elevate their appeal by applying custom velcro patches or embroidery motifs.
You can either apply the ones you already have or get new ones of a different theme from your desired patch supplier. Personalize your tote bag with motifs that showcase your interests, hobbies, or values. This personalization is not only eco-friendly but also makes your accessory trendy.
Use Old Denim To Embrace Timeless Classic
Have a pair of worn-out jeans or denim jacket that has been your partner in the good old days? If they are resting in the corner of your closet, take them out to embrace timeless beauty by applying classic badges onto them. You can use them to cover up a stubborn stain or a tear in your apparel.
Considering this DIY approach will not only save your favourite apparel from throwing away and let you stay on-trend in a budget-friendly manner. This fun and chic customization of your outworn apparel will make them wearable once again.
Create Statement Pieces
Less is more if your customized badge has a large and fancy design. Strategically place it on your simplistic t-shirt or plain purse. Whether your badge showcases a bold pattern or a thought-provoking message, it will serve as a statement piece. It will capture everyone’s attention wherever you go. You can apply it on the front pocket area, sleeve, or on the middle back of your shirt.
Inject Childhood Nostalgic Vibes
Are you a grown-up with still the same level of love for your childhood favourite cartoon characters? Exhibit it in your style by personalizing your simple varsity jacket. Feature your most-liked cartoons, such as SpongeBob, Mickey Mouse, or Pokémon on the custom-made embroidery badge. You can also include sequins or beads around the motif onto your garb to enhance its attractiveness and add a playful touch to your attire.
Make A Dazzling Collage Dress
Do you have any medium or mini skin-fit dress that hugs your body and makes you look endlessly hot? If you have multiple ones of them, choose a red, black, or nude-coloured one. Get plenty of customized embroidery badges that follow the same theme and colour palette.
However, play with different shapes and sizes to make an alluring artwork of emblems on your dress. Cover every inch of your apparel to turn your garment fully into a dazzling attire. Pair it up with charcoal block heels, along with a dashing handbag, and chic jewellery to make your look picture-perfect.
Closing Thoughts
Cleaning custom embroidery patches is a daunting but worthy task. Use the right materials and a gentle touch to make your dirty and greasy badges appear new and vibrant once again. Once you have them, you can apply them using the above ideas, or use some out-of-the-box inspirations. You can paste motifs onto wallets, sunglasses, varsity, and much more. Strategically choose the location, such as pockets, collar, cuffs, or all along the seam to achieve a trendy effect.