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The Ultimate Guide to Washing Blankets - Fabric Instructor

The Ultimate Guide to Washing Blankets

When it comes to bedding, most people think about sheets and pillowcases. However, blankets are an important part of any bedding set, and they need to be washed just like the other pieces. Here is a guide on washing blankets so that they stay clean and fresh. They can be difficult to wash but it’s important to do it right in order to keep your blankets looking and smelling great for years to come. If you’re not sure how to properly care for your blankets, read on for instructions on how to get them clean and fresh.

Washing Blankets With Hand

Not all blankets can be washed with a washer and it will ruin the delicate material. To hand-wash your blanket, you will need:

  • A large sink or basin
  • A mild detergent
  • Lukewarm water

Step One: Fill a sink or tub. Start by filling the sink with cool water and adding a small amount of mild detergent. Let the water and detergent combine well. Do not fill the sink or tub in such a way that water will overflow when you put the blanket on.

Step Two: Submerge the blanket. Gently lower the blanket into the water and gently swish it around until it is clean. You can also gently knead the blanket to release all the dirt. Let it soak for 15 minutes.

Step Three: Press the blanket between your hands to remove excess water. Do not wring or twist the blanket, as this can damage the fabric. Simply press it between your hands to remove as much water as possible.

Step Four: Rinse the blanket thoroughly in clean, cool water. Make sure to rinse all the soap out of the blanket. You can do this by submerging it in clean water or just repeating steps one and two but will clean water until you get all the soap out of the blanket.

Step Five: Gently squeeze excess water from the blanket. Again, do not wring or twist the blanket. Just squeeze it gently until most of the water is gone. You can also lay the wet blanket on a clean towel and roll it up to remove more water.

How To Machine-wash Blanket:

For machine-washing your blanket, you will need:

  • A washing machine
  • Mild detergent
  • Lukewarm water

Step One: Check the care label. Before machine-washing your blanket, check the care label to see if it can be machine-washed. If it can’t, follow the steps for hand-washing instead.

Step Two: Check if your blanket will comfortably sit in the machine and have space to spin around. If it doesn’t, then you will have to take it to a laundromat that has a large capacity washing machine.

Step Three: Set the washer to a gentle cycle and use cool or lukewarm water. Hot water can damage delicate fabrics like wool, so always err on the side of the cooler. Add a small amount of mild detergent to the washer.

Step Four: Wash the blanket. Gently lower the blanket into the washer and let it go through the cycle. Once it’s done, take it out and check if the blanket is clean. If not, wash it again on a gentle cycle.

We advise handing a washed blanket because washing with a washing machine is a bit aggressive and can de-shape your blanket. Especially the spin cycle which can cause your blanket to tangle. When you hand wash, you can control how much the water agitates the fabric and prevent your blanket from getting damaged.

How To Wash Cotton or Linen Blanket

They are the easiest type of blanket to wash. You can machine wash them on the delicate cycle with cold water and mild detergent. Linen and cotton blankets can also be hung outside to air dry.

You can also wash cotton blankets with other clothes in the house like your bed sheets and towels. Just make sure to use the delicate cycle and cool water.

How To Wash Wool Blanket

Washing a wool blanket may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple. Start by shaking out your blanket to remove any dust or dirt. If there are any stubborn stains, spot clean them with a mild detergent. Next, fill your sink or tub with lukewarm water and add a small amount of wool-safe detergent. Gently agitate the blanket to work the soap into the fibers.

If your blanket is very soiled, you can lay it on a flat surface and gently brush through it with a soft bristle brush. Make sure you are brushing in the same direction so you don’t deform the structure

Finally, rinse the blanket thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining soap residue.

If you are going to wash with a washer, wash on the delicate cycle and with cold water. You can also use a wool-safe detergent in the washer.

After washing, gently squeeze out any excess water and lay your blanket flat to dry. Avoid hanging it to dry as this can cause the fibers to stretch.

Never put a wool blanket in the dryer as the heat will damage the fibers. Also, check the care instruction. If it says dry clean only you do just that.

How To Wash Fleece Blanket.

Fleece is a synthetic fabric, so it’s important to wash it with care. Start by checking the care label for washing instructions. Most fleeces can be machine-washed on a gentle cycle with cold water. Avoid using hot water as this can damage the fibers.

If your fleece blanket is very soiled, you may need to pre-treat the stains with a mild detergent before washing.

After washing, gently squeeze out any excess water and lay your blanket flat to dry. Avoid hanging it to dry as this can cause the fibers to stretch.

If you need to speed up the drying process, you can use the low setting on your tumble dryer. However, avoid using the high setting as this can damage the fibers.

Once your blanket is dry, give it a shake to restore the loft and remove any remaining lint.

Washing a fleece blanket is simple and straightforward. Just make sure to follow the care label instructions and avoid using hot water or putting it in the tumble dryer on a high setting

Also do not iron your fleece blanket.

How To Wash Weighted Blankets?

Weighted blankets are becoming increasingly popular, but how do you wash one? Start by checking the care label for washing instructions. Most weighted blankets are not safe to be washed in the machine because of their size and weight and also, the protective cover that keeps the fillings inside can rip and tear easily. Instead, you can spot clean your weighted blanket with a damp cloth and mild detergent or have it professionally dry cleaned.

To keep your weighted blanket fresh in between washes, hang it outside in the fresh air for a few hours or use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to remove any dust or allergens.

However, some weighted blankets have detachable covers. You can remove that piece of the blanket and wash it according to the fabric type.

How To Dry Blanket

You can either air-dry your blanket or dry it in the dryer with the low tumble setting. If you are air-drying, make sure to lay the blanket flat on a clean surface. Avoid hanging it as this can cause the fibers to stretch.

If you are using a dryer, set it to the low tumble setting and add a few tennis balls or clean socks to help fluff up the blanket. Every few minutes, stop the dryer and shake out the blanket to prevent any clumping.

Once the blanket is dry, give it a good shake to restore the loft and remove any remaining lint.

Washing a blanket doesn’t have to be complicated. Just make sure to follow the care label instructions and you’ll have a clean and fresh blanket in no time.

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