depends on the felt... real wool felt can be washed, and air dried like a good sweater... or thrown in the drier, and made into even denser felt.

the craft felt from the craft stores can be spot cleaned or hand-washed- but I wouldn't trust it to a wash cycle, not even a delicate one, unless it was in a mesh bag to keep the shedded stuff contained.

I came across some dusty, dirty felt just a couple of days ago. It was about 5 yards. I figured I wasn't losing anything by trying to wash it. So I threw it in the washer on gentle and dried it on fluff. Came out great.

hi,
I've been making penny rugs and I wash my felt. you can also use baking soda in the water. My instructions also said hot water and either you can use the dryer or lay flat to dry. I like the dryer because it gives the felt a bumpy texture.

shellyp - do you use anything to keep it colorfast? Most things I make I don't wash so it doesn't really matter, but I did a sweatshirt last that had red felt on it. I pre-washed it and used some vinegar to set the color. It has held well. I just didn't want the red to bleed into the white (snowman sweatshirt) I know there is a commerical product - but I so seldom need it, I didn't want to buy it.

no, I didn't use anything but the baking soda/hot water in the wash, and I just use like colors together. I'm really not even sure what the baking soda does besides making the texture of the felt a little bumpy. plus it is good to go ahead and wash the felt because it shrinks some too.
hope this helps

Good question! I just bought a pattern that calls for washed felt. But I was wondering what kind of felt...when and how do you wash it..etc. I could use some help and info too.