Get ready for blanket season with these tips on how to wash fleece, faux fur, wool and weighted blankets to keep them cozy year-round.
I hate to tell you this, but that comfy blanket you’re curled up under on the couch is probably dirty. Think about the contaminants it encounters every day: pet hair, food crumbs, spilled drinks, household dust, body oils, and hair care products. The amount of dirt that can hide in the folds of your favorite blanket is shocking.
Whether it’s a weighted blanket, electric blanket, wool blanket, faux fur blanket, or fleece blanket, your blanket needs to be washed from time to time. So remove blankets from your couch, bed, and other areas. Below are specific instructions on how to wash different types of blankets at home.
The main challenge with washing a wool blanket (or other plush blankets like faux fur and microfiber) is keeping it super soft. To prevent wool blankets from pilling or clumping, wash them separately in cold water on a gentle cycle.
Use only a small amount of detergent—using more soap won’t necessarily make the blanket cleaner. In fact, too much detergent can cling to the wool fibers and make the blanket less soft.
Avoid using bleach, as it can damage the fibers or affect the color of the blanket. Since polyester wool blankets are naturally stain resistant, washing them in cold water with detergent should clean them. For stubborn stains, you can pre-treat them with a drop of dish soap, let them sit for about 10 minutes, and then blot them with a paper towel or rag.
After washing, hang the wool blanket to dry or place it in the dryer on a low heat setting or leave it on all the time. Never tumble dry a wool blanket on a high heat setting, as the high heat may cause the blanket fibers to melt or shrink.
The best way to wash a weighted blanket depends on its design, fabric, and filling. Blankets weighted with glass microbeads or plastic pellets are safe to wash, but check the manufacturer’s washing instructions for specific recommendations.
Most blankets weighing 20 pounds or less can be washed in a home washing machine on a gentle cycle with cold water and a mild detergent. Avoid using bleach and fabric softener, as bleach can damage the blanket’s fibers over time, and fabric softener can trap dirt in the blanket and make it feel rough.
Minor stains that don’t require a thorough cleaning can be removed by scrubbing the weighted blanket with a solution of warm water and laundry detergent. If washing a weighted blanket is too much of a hassle, consider purchasing a duvet cover (or a weighted blanket that comes with it) that can be easily removed and machine washed when it gets dirty.
To dry a weighted blanket, place it in the dryer on low heat or lay it out on a clean, dry countertop or on the edge of a bathtub to dry. Make sure the blanket hangs flat while drying to prevent it from losing its shape. If your weighted blanket weighs more than 20 pounds, take it to a laundromat. Large commercial washing machines are better suited for washing heavy blankets.
Because wool blankets are naturally resistant to dust and stains, they only need to be washed a few times a year. Between washes, shake out your wool blanket and use a soft-bristled fabric brush to remove dirt and debris to keep it looking like new. To avoid damaging the blanket’s fibers, always brush it in one direction.
Before washing a wool blanket, check the manufacturer’s care instructions to make sure it can’t be dry cleaned only. If the blanket is machine washable, use cold water and a wool-safe detergent.
First, soak the blanket in the washing machine in water and detergent for about 15 minutes. Then select the gentle wash cycle, let it sit for about two minutes, and then switch to the rinse cycle.
When finished, hang the wool blanket to dry away from direct sunlight, which can cause the fabric to fade. If necessary, wrap the blanket in a towel and gently squeeze (do not wring) to remove excess water before hanging it. Never put a wool blanket in the dryer, as this can damage the delicate fibers, causing it to shrink or become rough and scratchy.
Washing an electric blanket may seem like a surefire way to ruin it, but in fact, most electric blankets are machine washable.
First, make sure the blanket is unplugged and remove all cords and controls. Wash the blanket in cold water with detergent (never use bleach or fabric softener, as these can damage the fibers) and select the gentlest wash cycle possible to avoid stressing the internal lines. Let the washing machine run for 2-3 minutes, then move to the rinse cycle and remove the blanket immediately after the cycle is complete.
To dry a wool electric blanket, gently press it back into shape and hang it on a clothesline or shower curtain rod to dry. Alternatively, you can place a non-woven electric blanket in the dryer on a low heat setting or leave it on all the time (high heat can damage the internal wiring). Let the dryer run for about 10 minutes, then remove the blanket and hang it to dry. Make sure the blanket is completely dry before plugging it back in.
Faux fur rugs are typically made from synthetic fibers like acrylic and polyester, and unlike more finicky real fur rugs, they are easy to wash. Check the tag on your faux fur rug before washing. Some brands recommend dry cleaning only.
To wash a washable faux fur blanket, place it in the washing machine with your regular detergent on a gentle cycle with cold water. If your washing machine does not have a gentle cycle, use the lowest spin speed. Avoid using chlorine bleach or any fabric softeners.
Dry the blanket on a drying rack or clothesline. Once dry, shake the blanket to fluff up the faux fur. If the blanket appears matted, you can brush the faux fur blanket on all sides with a pet brush or wide-tooth comb. Do not use an iron.
Known for their fluffy texture, faux wool blankets are made from soft, warm synthetic fibers. Unfortunately, however, many blankets become tangled and clumped, especially after being machine washed. While it may seem like its beautiful texture is lost forever, using the right cleaning methods can help you maintain or even restore the original properties of your faux wool blanket.
These blankets are usually made of synthetic materials and are machine washable. Always check the care label before washing. In most cases, machine washing requires cold water and a mild detergent.
When drying a faux wool blanket, never use high temperatures. Tumble dry on low heat, using a few dryer balls to eliminate static.
If your blanket becomes tangled, spray it with a mixture of cool water and mild conditioner, then gently brush it in all directions with a soft-bristled brush to remove all tangles and clumps.
The easiest way to ruin a cozy evening indoors is to cover yourself with a smelly blanket. If you think your blanket has absorbed a particularly strong odor, try adding a little white vinegar to your washing machine the next time you do a load of laundry. You can add it to the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine or during the rinse cycle. However, it’s important not to use vinegar in your daily laundry, as it can damage your washing machine and cause wear and tear on fabrics over time.
One of the most common problems your favorite blanket may encounter during the washing and drying process is clumping of the filling. After all, a lumpy blanket is uncomfortable to lie on and does not provide even heat. Luckily, there is a simple solution.
To prevent your blanket from bunching up, throw wool balls or tennis balls in the dryer with it. The weight of the ball keeps the filling from moving around, preventing bunching. It also allows warm air to circulate freely inside the blanket.
Most blankets should be washed once or twice a month, but if they are used less frequently (such as throw blankets or guest room blankets), they should only be washed occasionally. The exception is wool blankets. Because wool blankets don’t get dirty as quickly as acrylic or cotton, they can be washed four to six times a year.
The most likely cause of a bad odor from a blanket is that it is not completely dry. Some dryers do not have the capacity to thoroughly dry a large blanket. You can take large blankets to a laundromat and use a large dryer or, if the weather permits, try hanging them outside. Other causes include using too much or too little detergent, washing at the wrong temperature, or not pre-treating a stain.
If your blanket is made of acrylic, washing it in hot water can damage the fibers and reduce its softness. Cotton and wool blankets shrink when washed in hot water, and cotton fabrics fade easily. All blankets should be washed in warm or cold water.
Knitted and crocheted blankets should always be placed in a laundry bag before being put into the washing machine, as they tend to stretch out. Other blankets do not require a laundry bag, but should still be placed with care in the washer and dryer. Avoid bunching up the blankets, but spread them out evenly so that the garment lays flat.