{"id":8501,"date":"2019-08-07T13:36:33","date_gmt":"2019-08-07T20:36:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sleepjunkie.com\/?p=8501"},"modified":"2023-11-22T15:32:41","modified_gmt":"2023-11-22T22:32:41","slug":"how-to-wash-blankets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sleepjunkie.com\/how-to-wash-blankets\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Wash Blankets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
While there are some blankets, like cotton blankets, that you can just throw into the washing machine, there are others that need to be hand-washed, dry cleaned, or spot cleaned. The material and weave primarily affect the way you clean a blanket.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re sprucing up on your housekeeping or had an accident on one of your beautiful throw blankets, you\u2019ll find your answers here in our collection of \u201cHow To\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n
When cleaning a blanket, you should follow the manufacturer\u2019s directions before trying anything else. The care instructions will direct you through the best way to clean your blanket without ruining the product.<\/p>\n
If you don\u2019t have access to the original manufacturer\u2019s care instructions, you can follow the best practices outlined below. As a general rule of thumb, never wash your blanket in hot water. Fabrics like cotton and wool can shrink in hot water, while synthetic fibers can become damaged by the heat.<\/p>\n
Using the washing machine makes cleaning blankets easy. However, there are times when throwing them into the wash will ruin your nice blanket. Colors can run, and certain fabrics can shrink or become damaged in the wash.<\/p>\n
For times like those, follow the instructions below for hand washing.<\/p>\n
Fleece blankets are made with the sort of fabric where you can tell if it\u2019s high-quality over time. Low-quality fleece peels, losing its lusciously soft feel. Meanwhile, high-quality fleece fibers, or ultra-plush fleece blankets, will not pill and remain soft for a very long time.<\/p>\n
Either way, using the method below will help you keep your fleece blanket softer longer.<\/p>\n
Before washing a wool blanket<\/a>, check to make sure it isn’t dry-cleaned only. The most considerable risk of cleaning your own wool blanket is shrinkage. After all, no one wants to buy a blanket sized for their mattress only to shrink it in the wash.<\/p>\n In the next four steps, we\u2019ll teach you how to wash your wool blanket without fear of damaging the material.<\/p>\n Washing a crochet blanket is similar to washing a knitted blanket. You have to be careful not to stretch the yarn and distort the blanket\u2019s shape. We suggest hand washing these types of blankets using the hand-washing method.<\/p>\n However, if you want to clean your crochet or knit blanket in the washing machine, we suggest putting the material in a garment or mesh bag before placing it in the machine. The bag will protect the blanket.<\/p>\n Make sure the wash cycle is on a gentle or permanent-press cycle.<\/p>\n Lay the blanket flat and reshape the material after washing. Air drying is the best way to dry the knit blanket. Even though the drying time will be higher, it will ensure the fabric won\u2019t shrink.<\/p>\n Sherpa blankets should be washed in a front-load washing machine \u2013or a washing machine without the center agitator\u2013 with non-detergent soap. Detergents will damage the DWR \u2013 Durable Water Repellant \u2013 treatment that protects your blanket from allergens.<\/p>\n Do not place your sherpa blanket in the dryer. Even low heat can cause damage or melt the fabric. We suggest you hang dry the blanket, but you can tumble dry on low to fluff the material.<\/p>\n Washing heated blankets can be tricky. The wires running through the fabric can be hazardous if the washing isn\u2019t done the right way. Generally, we recommend spot cleaning this blanket. If the electric blanket is a cheap $20 department-store brand, you might consider just getting a new one.<\/p>\n Heated blankets can start fires or electrocute you if the wires aren\u2019t handled delicately. However, there are some electric blankets that are far too expensive to get rid of at the end of every winter. If you have one of these blankets, follow the directions below to clean your blanket safely.<\/p>\n Older heated blankets don\u2019t have the detachable cords. Because of this, they present a problem when you need to clean them. You don\u2019t want the cord control to get wet, and you want to agitate the electrical cords in the blanket as little as possible.<\/p>\n Washing a weighted blanket<\/a> isn’t recommended. The protective cover keeping the filling inside can rip, resulting in a damaged washing machine.<\/p>\n Spot cleaning with a wet cloth and mild detergent will help keep your weighted blanket clean and is suggested on a weekly basis.<\/p>\n There are some weighted blankets that have covers that detach from the weighted portion on the blanket. You can throw the cover right into the wash like you would bed sheets or pillowcases.<\/p>\n Duvets come with detachable covers that protect the blanket from grime and can be placed in the washing machine. However, comforters and quilts are much too large to put in a washing machine.<\/p>\n While quilts should be taken to the dry cleaners to preserve their beauty and longevity, comforters can be placed in a commercial machine at the neighborhood laundromat.<\/p>\n Spot clean your comforter and quilt to minimize the amount of washing. This will lengthen the life of your blankets.<\/p>\n Typically, a blanket needs to be cleaned once every two weeks, though people with allergy sensitivies may benefit from washing them once a week with their sheets.<\/p>\n Even though blankets are considered part of basic bedding<\/a>, they often need a minimal protector, such as bedsheets – they separate the skin from the blankets, so they don’t get dirty as quickly.<\/p>\n Thicker duvets and comforters can be slipped inside a duvet cover<\/a> to stretch out the time between washings. You can wash the cover with your sheets and clean the comforter or duvet once a season.<\/p>\n It\u2019s critical to do the research before you wash your blanket. Simply throwing your blanket into the laundry machine without checking if the instructions say to machine wash it, clean it by hand or spot clean only, can destroy its feel.<\/p>\n\n
How to Wash Crochet Blankets<\/h2>\n
How to Wash Sherpa Blankets<\/h2>\n
How to Wash Electric Blankets<\/h2>\n
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How to Wash Weighted Blankets<\/h2>\n
How to Wash Large Comforters, Duvets, and Quilts<\/h2>\n
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How Often Should Blankets Be Washed?<\/h2>\n
Tips and Tricks to Washing Blankets<\/h2>\n