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You may already know that there are several ways to care for the felt to prevent unwanted lumps from forming. Some of these techniques, such as using thermocline or white glue, have already been discussed.
But did you know that it is possible to care for felt with hair spray?
This is true! You can use hairspray to waterproof the felt and make your felting crafts look beautiful and very well produced. You will be surprised by how easy and practical this process is.
See Also: Discover 5 Easy Ways to Clean Felt Crafts
The impression that felt is difficult to clean and maintain is often ordinary. However, I am here to prove the contrary. After reading how to clean and care for felt correctly and with care, you will realize that it is very effortless.
Another advantage is that you won’t need expensive or specialized felt product cleaning tools. So, here are some tips to teach you how to treat felt with hairspray.
How to care for felt with hair spray?
As I said before, the felt wears out over time, and the felt can form balls that spoil your work look.
Waterproofing the felt is required to avoid this disaster. You can waterproof your already finished felt craft projects using hairspray.
Without further ado, let’s take a step-by-step look at handling and caring for felt using hairspray.
- Grab some hairspray and finish felt work.
- Shake hairspray and spray all over the felt.
- Let it dry after spraying the hairspray on the front of your felting craft. When everything is dry, turn the piece to apply the spray to the back.
And ready! You will notice that the felt is smoother once it dries. This will prevent the formation of bubbles and lumps and increase the durability of the felt!
See how simple it is?
How to make waterproof felt to eliminate stains and pilling?
Felt is an excellent material for making crafts and DIY projects. But there is a little secret of making the felt even better. The idea is to waterproof the felt with a magical combination that will boost its longevity and prevent the feeling from becoming boring balls over time.
See Also: Everything You Want to Know About Felt
You should use thermocline, a faithful ally of the craftsman. Thermoline can be purchased at specialty craft stores or made at home. It is much easier and cheaper than buying ready-made, ideal for those who will use it in larger quantities.
Shall we go step by step? Continue reading this article to see all the details.
When you make it using Termoline, you need the following materials:
- 10 ml thermocline
- 10 ml of liquid alcohol
- 100 ml of water
If you want to do it without using Termoline, you need the following materials:
- 2 glasses of water
- 1 glass of extra white cola
- 1 tablespoon of alcohol gel or a capful of liquid alcohol
You can make your felt waterproof by using the above materials as follows:
- Mix the three ingredients.
- Apply to felt with a brush, sponge, or sprayer.
- Let the felt dry for a few hours and iron it at a warm temperature.
After following these instructions, the felt will be ready for use in any job.
- When waterproofing the felt, it will harden and lose some softness. But by doing the process, your parts will have much more excellent durability than those made with untreated felt.
- Thermoline creates a protective film on the felt. This invisible layer makes the felt waterproof and resistant to abrasion and tearing.
- When making felt pieces that will be handled very well, use this little mix to protect them from potential damage. Following this tip, your crafts will be more durable and beautiful for much longer.
If you like to know how to treat lice, try this tip at home and let me know what you think of the result. Also, do you see an artist who needs this tip? Share this post with him!
Tips on how to properly care felt products
Now that you know how to treat felt with hairspray, here are some essential tips, so you don’t make any mistakes in the waterproofing process.
- Hairspray is not recommended for waterproofing if the felt piece is intended for children, such as educational toys or notebook covers. Because there may be toxic ingredients in the hairspray formula.
- When applying the hairspray to the part, avoid touching it before it dries. Because your fingers can stick to the felt and thus ruin it.
- Preferably use an unscented hairspray. This option is always best to avoid unpleasant odors.
- If any stubborn lint is stuck to your felt product, use masking tape to remove it.
- Use small scissors to trim any strays.
- You can use scents such as eucalyptus, lavender, and tree tea to repel insects, mosquitoes, and pests.
- To get rid of a foul odor or oiliness, use salt, vinegar, baking soda, or lemon.
- Remember not to soak the felt for more than 10 minutes. Otherwise, you risk losing the integrity of your product.
When you use hairspray to waterproof your felt pieces, you will spend much less time as this process is so fast, and drying is almost instantaneous.
See Also: 15 Amazing Tips for Working with Felt
Felt usually doesn’t make much of a lump when used correctly; however, if it does, gently swipe the sweater placket over the targeted areas. Always operate the tool in one direction.
When wool fibers become loose, they form small balls or pills. Pilling is a natural occurrence that develops as a result of friction. As a result, the more you use a felt, the more it will pile up. Instead, use a cashmere brush to remove lint and release natural oils that rejuvenate the strands between wears.
How can you properly store your felt products?
Before storing any felt product, it is recommended to sunbathe for a minimum of 15 minutes. In case of any existing pest infestation, using pest repellants can be helpful. Finally, do not forget to clean the cabinet or container before storing your felt products.
Microwaving small felt materials on low heat for less than a minute will kill larvae or bugs.
After cleaning the felts well, put them in an airtight container. However, make sure that water does not get in the way. To ensure that your felt product is moisture-free, use a few of the silica gels in the bottle.
See Also: 11 Questions Every Beginner in Felt Crafts Should Ask
Felt is highly durable and can last for years. However, proper cleaning and maintenance ensure a long life of felt products.
So, what do you think of the step-by-step guide and tips on how to treat felt?
Check out the Mommy’ Felt Toys YouTube channel for many other tips that can help you make your pieces more beautiful and of higher quality. In addition, you’ll find felt sewing tutorials out there!