The amount of grime that could be lurking in the folds of your favorite blanket is astounding.
So gather them up from your sofa, bed, and everywhere else.
Here’s exactly how to wash every bang out of blanket in your house.
Credit:BHG / Sarah Crowley
To prevent pilling or matting,wash fleece blankets separately in cold wateron a gentle cycle.
Use only a small amount of detergentmore soap won’t necessarily make your blanket cleaner.
Avoid using bleach, which can damage the fibers or affect the blanket’s dye.
Credit: Shaun Sullivan
Because polyester fleece is naturally stain-resistant, a cold water wash with detergent should get your fleece blanket clean.
verify the blanket hangs evenly as it dries so it doesn’t lose its shape.
If your weighted blanket is more than 20 pounds, take it to a laundromat instead.
Credit:BHG / Sarah Crowley
Large, commercial-sized washing machines are better equipped to handle heavy blankets.
To prevent damage to the blanket’s fibers, be sure to brush in the same direction.
Before washing a wool blanket, check the manufacturer’s care instructions to confirm it’s not dry-clean only.
If the blanket is machine-washable, use cold water and a wool-safe detergent.
Then select a gentle cycle and let it run for about two minutes before switching to the rinse cycle.
First, confirm the blanket is unplugged, and disconnect all cords and controls from the blanket.
see to it the electric blanket is completely dry before plugging it in and turning it on again.
Before you attempt a wash, check the tag on your faux fur blanket.
Some recommend dry cleaning only.
If your washer doesn’t have a gentle option, use the lowest spin setting.
Avoid chlorine bleach, and skip any fabric softeners.
Air-dry the blanket on a rack or clothesline.
Once dry, shake the blanket to fluff the faux fur.
Do not use an iron.
In general, these blankets are made from synthetic materials that can go into your washing machine.
Just be sure to check thecare labelbefore washing.
In most cases, machine washing will require a cold water setting and a gentle detergent.
To dry a faux shearling blanket, stay away from high heat.
Tumble dry your blanket at low heat, and toss in a few dryer balls to helpremove static.
After all, a clumpy blanket won’t lay nicely or distribute warmth evenly.
Luckily, there’s a simple solution.
To prevent the dreaded clumping, throw your blanket into the dryer withwool dryer ballsor tennis balls.
The weight of the balls prevents the filling from moving around, which will keep it from clumping.
It also allows warm air to circulate properly throughout the blanket.
The most likely reason your blanket smells funky is it didn’t get completely dry.
Some dryers aren’t large enough to thoroughly dry large blankets.
Cotton and wool blankets washed in hot water can shrink, and colors can run on cotton fabrics.
All blankets should be washed in warm or cold water.
Instead of balling blankets up, evenly place them inside to create a balanced load.
