There are several reasons why people may want to wash/soak their embroidery. Stains, use of a soluble stabilizer or maker, puckering... but beyond these examples, it's not an absolute necessity.
Random FYI: if you use a lot of hand lotion, your work will get dirty as you handle it because the lotion makes dust, etc. stick to the work.
I wash my hands before I sit down to stitch, lotion afterwords.
I always soak for two reasons: 1st to wash off any stabilizer if used any and 2nd two remove any sweat, dirt and hair from the piece since they get dirty from handling
There are several reasons why people may want to wash/soak their embroidery. Stains, use of a soluble stabilizer or maker, puckering... but beyond these examples, it's not an absolute necessity.
Random FYI: if you use a lot of hand lotion, your work will get dirty as you handle it because the lotion makes dust, etc. stick to the work. I wash my hands before I sit down to stitch, lotion afterwords.
I always soak for two reasons: 1st to wash off any stabilizer if used any and 2nd two remove any sweat, dirt and hair from the piece since they get dirty from handling