How to Care for Your Macrame & Natural Fiber Decor
Natural fiber decor is built to last: a well-made macrame wall hanging, a cotton dreamcatcher, or a jute plant hanger can stay beautiful for decades with the right care — and that care is simpler than most people expect. This guide answers the practical questions: how to clean each type of piece, what each fiber tolerates, and how to store everything safely.
What are macrame and natural fiber decor pieces made of?
Most pieces combine five materials — cotton cord, jute rope, linen thread, wood, and feathers — and each has different needs: cotton and linen are washable, jute and feathers must stay dry, and wood only ever needs a dry cloth.
Cotton cord is the most common material in macrame wall hangings, dreamcatchers, and plant hangers. It is soft, strong, and relatively forgiving. Cotton can be hand washed, tolerates gentle handling well, and dries cleanly without shrinking significantly.
Jute rope is a plant-based fiber with a rougher, more rustic texture. It is stronger than cotton but more sensitive to moisture — prolonged exposure to water will weaken the fibers over time.
Linen thread is sometimes used in finer crochet lace dreamcatchers and curtains. Like cotton, linen is washable but benefits from gentle handling and air drying.
Wood elements — dowels, hoops, and beads — should be kept away from prolonged moisture to prevent warping or cracking. A light wipe with a dry cloth is all they need.
Feathers used in dreamcatchers are delicate. Handle them by the quill only, and avoid moisture entirely.
How do I clean a macrame wall hanging?
For routine care, shake the piece out and brush the fringe with a soft brush or blow it clean with a hairdryer on the cool setting. For deeper cleaning, hand wash in cool water with gentle detergent, press out water with a towel, and air dry — never machine wash or tumble dry.
For routine dusting: Take the piece outside or hold it over a bathtub. Shake it gently to release loose dust. Use a soft bristle brush — a clean paintbrush works perfectly — to brush through the fringe from top to bottom.
For deeper cleaning: Fill a bathtub or large basin with cool water and a small amount of gentle, fragrance-free detergent. Submerge the piece and squeeze the water through the fibers gently — do not scrub, wring, or twist. Rinse thoroughly with cool clean water until the water runs clear.
Press out excess water gently with a clean towel — never wring. Hang to dry in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Reshape the fringe while damp by running your fingers through it. Allow to dry completely before rehanging — this may take 24 hours or more depending on the size of the piece.
Important: never put macrame in a washing machine or tumble dryer. The agitation will tangle, felt, and permanently damage the fibers.
How do I care for a dreamcatcher?
Dust the web and feathers with a soft brush or compressed air, working from the centre outward, and handle feathers by the quill only. Keep the piece away from moisture, bathrooms, and direct sunlight — the web threads are under tension and distort if pulled.
For the hoop: Wipe wooden or metal hoops with a dry cloth. If the hoop is lacquered or sealed wood, a very lightly damp cloth is fine — dry immediately afterward.
Avoid: direct moisture on feathers, hanging in bathrooms or high-humidity spaces, and direct sunlight, which fades feathers and weakens thread over time.
If a feather becomes bent or misshapen, hold it briefly over gentle steam — the warmth will relax the barbs and allow you to reshape it carefully.
How do I care for a macrame plant hanger?
Cotton hangers tolerate occasional drips — just let them dry naturally in a ventilated space. Jute hangers must stay dry: remove the pot, water it in the sink, let it drain fully, then put it back.
For cleaning plant hangers: Remove the pot and shake out any loose soil. Cotton hangers can be hand washed in cool water with gentle detergent, rinsed, and hung to dry completely before replacing the plant. Jute hangers should only be spot cleaned with a barely damp cloth — never submerged.
How do I clean a woven basket?
Clean seagrass, jute, and cotton baskets dry: wipe with a dry cloth, brush, or vacuum with a brush attachment on low suction. For stains, spot clean with a barely damp cloth and a tiny amount of mild soap, then dry immediately — never soak or submerge a natural fiber basket.
To maintain shape: store baskets upright and avoid stacking heavy objects inside them for long periods, which can distort the weave.
Can I wash crochet lace curtains?
Yes — hand washing in cool water with gentle detergent is best, and a delicate 30°C machine cycle in a mesh laundry bag is possible. Never tumble dry: lay flat or hang to dry, and gently stretch the lace back into shape while damp.
Drying: lay flat on a clean towel or hang carefully. While damp, smooth any distorted sections with your hands and allow to dry fully before rehanging.
What are the general care rules for all natural fiber decor?
Five habits cover everything: keep pieces out of direct sunlight, avoid high-humidity rooms, dust monthly, handle with clean dry hands, and store rolled — never folded — in breathable fabric.
Keep away from direct sunlight. UV light fades natural fibers and weakens them over time. Position pieces where they receive indirect light rather than direct sun.
Avoid high humidity spaces. Bathrooms and laundry rooms are not ideal for most natural fiber pieces — cotton handles occasional humidity, but jute and feathers do not.
Dust regularly. A quick monthly dust takes two minutes and prevents the kind of deep buildup that requires a full wash.
Handle with clean, dry hands. Natural oils and moisture from hands can transfer to fibers over time, particularly on lighter cotton pieces.
Store carefully. If you need to store a piece seasonally, roll it loosely — never fold — and wrap in clean cotton or linen fabric. Store in a dry, cool space away from direct light.
The BohoArtis Promise
Every piece in the BohoArtis collection is made from quality natural materials — cotton, jute, seagrass, and wood — chosen for their beauty, durability, and the way they age. With the right care, your macrame wall hanging, dreamcatcher, plant hanger, or woven basket will remain a beautiful part of your home for years to come. If you ever have questions about caring for a specific piece, we are always happy to help — and every order ships free worldwide with 30-day returns.