These vibrant and intricately woven bags are works of art that deserve the utmost care and attention to maintain their beauty and longevity. In this ultimate guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps of cleaning and washing a Wayuu bag to ensure it stays in pristine condition for years to come, and we'll show you just how easy it is to upkeep these treasures. 1. Handle with Care Before diving into the cleaning process, it's crucial to handle your Wayuu bag with care. Even though these bags are handcrafted to last, avoid pulling on threads and cutting knots which could undo the crochet of the bag. 2. Spot Cleaning a Wayuu Bag Surface clean when necessary, aka when you see a visible stain. Use a soft moist cloth and a little soap to gently remove any surface debris. Pay special attention to the intricate weave and patterns, making sure to clean between the yarns to maintain their vibrancy. 3. Hand Wash The safest method for washing a Wayuu bag is by hand. Fill a basin or sink with cold water and add a small amount of mild detergent. Gently agitate the water to create suds, then immerse your bag in the solution. Use your hands to gently massage the detergent into the fabric, paying attention to any areas with stains. 4. Gentle Rinsing a Wayuu Bag After cleaning the bag, rinse it thoroughly with cold water to remove any soap residue. Avoid wringing or twisting the bag, as this can distort its shape or cause the yarn to stretch. Instead, gently squeeze the excess water out of the bag and pat it dry with a clean towel. 5. Air Dry Once rinsed, lay your Wayuu bag flat or hang to air dry. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, as this can cause the colors to fade or the yarn to weaken. Allow the bag to dry completely before storing it away to avoid musty smells 6. Wayuu Bag Shape Maintenance To preserve the shape of your Wayuu bag, do not leave it hanging with heavy things inside. This will help maintain its structure and prevent stretching. 7. Pre-Washing Steps When it comes to machine washing a Wayuu bag, do proceed with caution! These bags are handcrafted using dyed yarns that can bleed or fade if not properly cared for. Before washing your bag, Flip the bag, inside out and place the tassels and strap inside. If you have a bag for delicates, feel free to use it! 8. Delicate Machine Washing a Wayuu Bag Once you've prepped you Wayuu bag, place it on a short 15-minute delicate cycle with mild detergent and cold water. **4 Easy Steps to Machine Wash Your Wayuu Bag** Cleaning and washing a Wayuu bag should not be complicated! By following these essential tips and precautions, you can ensure that your Wayuu bag remains a cherished accessory for years to come, maintaining its beauty and preserving its cultural significance. So, treat your Wayuu bag with the care and respect it deserves, and enjoy its vibrant beauty!

In order to clean your Wayuu bag appropriately, the first thing you should know is the type of fabric it is made with. I must say that I have seen some sellers claim their Wayuu bags were made of natural fibers and cotton. This is a common misconception and unlike popular belief, no Wayuu bag is made of natural fibers or cotton. After a little bit of investigation, I found out that all original Wayuu bags produced in the region of La Guajira are made from threads of 2 or 3 big thread companies. The threads sold to make Wayuu bags are acrylic, a synthetic fiber synthetic. Although, it doesn't sound sexy or exotic, it's a much better option than natural fiber. Learn how to tell the difference between 2T and 1T Wayuu bags Synthetic fiber is more water repellent and holds color better than natural fibers. Not to mention, it has great durability. If Wayuu bags were made of cotton, they would lose their shape quicker and the color would fade after very quickly.  How to care for your Wayuu bag So the first thing that I always suggest is to spot clean. Or if it needs a general wash to hand wash it. I've previously tried to machine wash a Wayuu bags and sometimes the tassels or the drawstrings would get damaged. Learning from my mistakes, I just rather not risk it as it's such a carefully crafted handmade item and just wash it by hand. If you have a little bit of dirt on the bag it's very easy to wash off as the bag is acrylic and it doesn't soak up the stain as much as a natural fiber like cotton or wool would. Take the spot where you have a little bit of dirt and dampen it with water. You don't have to put a lot of soap. A little bit goes a long way. I personally like to wear gloves to get a better scrub and work in a nice lather. You don't have to scrub too much so as to not damage the fabric and again, as this is acrylic the stain should wash off quite quickly easily. Rinse off the soap and hang your bag to dry. In Bogota this usually takes one to two days. Grooming a Wayuu bag Once the bag is dry you might want to groom it a little bit, so here I have a pair of scissors and my dog's brush but you can grab any regular comb which would work just as well. What I do in terms of grooming happens more in the tassel area. I'll brush them to straighten out the threads and I'll check that all the strings are in place. If there is a string that is poking out or that needs trimming DO NOT trim in a straight line. Instead, place the entire tassel in your fist and let the ends come out between your thumb and index. Squeeze tight and trim away the excess threads. If you would like to make your tassel shorter what you would do is estimate more or less how short you would like it and place your thumb and index an inch lower than how short you would really want it. Trimming the tassels of a Wayuu bag is like a haircut: the threads lift and fluff up making the tassel look shorter. I like to remove one centimeter at a time so as to not overdo it because unfortunately, unlike hair, tassels don't grow back!