Ideally, embroidered garments should be hand washed and air dried. Any needlework is best washed in cold water using mild detergents. And, if an embroidered item must be ironed, avoid using steam and don’t place the iron directly on the embroidered area. Before you decide to have an item embroidered, consider the item’s fabric, the design and embroidery method you are looking for, and whether you are willing to take special care to launder an embroidered item. Thinking through these questions will help you be more prepared when you visit an embroidery shop and increase the likelihood that your embroidered item will be everything you hoped it would be and more.