Stay Cozy! Learn All About How to Wash Different Types of Blankets
Grabbing your favorite blanket and snuggling up on a chilly winter evening can provide a priceless sense of comfort! Maybe you’re settling in to watch your favorite movie or getting cozy with your significant other. Regardless, having a bunch of blankets around your home can help ensure there’s plenty of comfort to go around. Of course, you want those blankets clean and fresh before getting snug!
Blankets come in various materials and sizes, and you should know how to wash different types of blankets in your home so you can maximize the cuddles. We’ll talk about how to wash weighted, fleece, and other types of blankets, plus some general tips for how often you should wash blankets so you’re ready to lounge or get your couch potato on in peace!
How Often Should You Wash Blankets?
Generally speaking, you should try to wash all blankets in your household once or twice a month. However, this number may vary depending on usage and seasonality. For example, you might consider washing your blankets on a weekly basis if you’re using them a lot during the winter.
The usage and the material of your blankets typically requires less consistent washing than it otherwise might for your sheets or pillowcases. If you rarely unroll blankets stashed at the end of the couch, for example, you might wash them less frequently. Still, remain diligent about when you’re washing blankets and how often you’re using them so you can keep them as clean as possible.
What Water Temperature Should You Use to Wash Blankets?
You should always wash blankets according to the recommendations on the garment care label. That said, most types of blankets—such as sherpa and crochet blankets—typically demand a cold-water cycle.
Washing in cold or lukewarm water can help prevent shrinkage. While hot temperature cycles may be recommended for sheets to help deal with lingering germs, washing some blankets in hot water may lead to shrinkage and discoloration depending on the type of fabric.
In totality, check the manufacturer’s label and know when to use cold vs. hot water cycles.
What Wash Cycle Should You Use to Wash Blankets?
You should use a gentle or delicate wash cycle when washing blankets. A regular or heavy wash setting may cause knots to form or potentially damage the blankets. Alas, washing on gentle or delicate can help preserve the integrity of the blanket while getting it fresh and clean again!
Some washing machines may have a bulky setting designed for washing blankets, comforters, and other bulky items. This setting begins with a soak to let your laundry detergent fully penetrate the fibers. Be sure not to overload the washer and refrain from using too much detergent.
Can You Wash Blankets and Sheets Together?
Wash your blankets separately from sheets and other items. Bulkier blankets, like weighted blankets, need space to move around in the wash so the detergent can penetrate the fabric and help remove stains. Additionally, you’re probably using different washing temperatures for sheets and blankets.
Steps for How to Wash Blankets
Did your kiddo spill some ice cream or soda pop on their blanket while watching their favorite TV show? Follow these steps for how to wash blankets so you can get them clean and reuse them when you’re cuddling up with your book of the month.
1. Check the Label
Always consult the fabric care label before washing blankets. It will determine the water temperature and cycle to use, depending on the material. Some heated or electric blankets may need to be washed by hand. Wool and other knit blankets may also need to be washed by hand.
2. Pretreat stains
If the fabric permits, consider rubbing a small amount of liquid laundry detergent directly to any stains on your blankets. Maybe you spilled wine on your sherpa blanket or used extra blankets after a rainy day with your kids. In any event, pretreating common stains can help fully remove them in the wash.
3. Add a Laundry Scent Booster
Want to complement the warmth and comfort a blanket provides with a nice scent you’ll enjoy? Try adding a laundry scent booster to the wash! Laundry scent boosters can help extend the fragrance of your blankets with a long-lasting scent after washing. Try ARM & HAMMER™ Laundry Scent Boosters, featuring fragrances like Purifying Waters, Maui Sunset, Clean Meadow, and Tropical Paradise.
4. Add Laundry Detergent & Insert Blankets
Add your laundry detergent to the washer drum. If you have a high-efficiency (HE) washing machine, add it to the dispenser drawer. Separate your blankets from other laundry items to prevent overcrowding and make sure to avoid bunching the blanket before inserting it into the wash.
As far as what laundry detergent to use? That’s up to you! Just make sure you pick one that is effective in fighting stains and getting rid of smelly odors. If you or your family have sensitive skin, you’ll want to make sure to use a laundry detergent that’s free of dyes and perfumes, like ARM & HAMMER™ Sensitive Skin Free & Clear Laundry Detergent. It is 100% certified by SkinSAFE™ to exclude 100% of their topmost considered allergens.
5. Choose the Appropriate Wash Temperature & Setting
Follow the instructions on your blankets’ garment care label when choosing the wash temperature and setting. Most sherpa, wool, and other blankets should be washed in cold water but verify with the manufacturers’ instructions before proceeding.
6. Dry Blankets
Some wool and other types of blankets will need to be air-dried. Shape the blanket in its original form and either hang it on a drying rack or clotheslines. If you can machine dry your blankets, evenly load them into the dryer, being careful not to overcrowd the dryer. Check the lint trap and use a gentle or low setting when drying blankets to help avoid damage to fabric fibers.
7. Store the Blankets as You See Fit!
Voila! Now that you have the play-by-play on washing blankets, you can store them according to your wishes. Whether you keep them on the edge of the bed, on a rack, or in a bin, fold and stack them properly. Consider stashing them in a cool, dry area.
How to Wash Different Types of Blankets
Blankets come in different materials and sizes that may have separate washing instructions. Here are some common types of blankets and general guidelines for how to wash each of them.
How to Wash a Weighted Blankets
First, you want to ensure your weighted blanket is machine washable. If the weighted blanket has inner or outer layers, it may need to be hand-washed and spot-cleaned. Regardless, you want to wash or rinse using cold water. For washable blankets, choose a gentle or delicate cycle.
You might want to lay the weighted blanket out flat on a drying rack if possible. Otherwise, use a low or medium setting on the dryer and intermittently stop the cycle to fluff the blanket so it dries more thoroughly.
What is a Weighted Blanket?
A weighted blanket is a fabric that typically weighs between 5 to 30 pounds. The purpose is to apply “pressure therapy” to help calm the user and relieve stress. The size and weight of weighted blankets may vary depending on the user’s physical traits and needs.
Speak to a professional if you think a weighted blanket might help with anxiety or stress. In terms of how to wash a weighted blanket, check the garment care label. Because of the size, you may need to wash by hand. Otherwise, you will wash your weighted blanket in cold water and use a gentle or low cycle both for the washer and the dryer.
How to Wash a Heated or Electric Blanket
Heated or electric blankets have electric heating wires ingrained in the material. The wires help send a current through the material to provide an added warming factor for the user, which can prove quite nice on a chilly evening or if you’ve dialed the air conditioning up a bit too much. However, if you’re a pet owner, you may be wary of your dog or cat pawing or clawing at all the cords and wires.
Some heated blankets can be washed in the machine in cold water. Manufacturers may recommend presoaking the blankets in a mixture of cold water and a little bit of dish soap or detergent before washing. Always make sure to unplug the blanket and disconnect any power cords before washing by hand or in the machine.
How to Wash a Wool Blanket
Wool is an extremely useful insulator that can help trap warmth and pull it close to the skin so you can get extra snuggly. While wool blankets can be expensive, their strength and elasticity make them extremely durable. Plus, the material is often friendly to people with sensitive skin. So, you may decide that longevity is well worth the price tag!
It’s advisable to exercise caution when washing wool blankets as they are prone to shrinking. For those reasons, some manufacturers will recommend hand washing by soaking it in cold water with a little bit of laundry detergent. Machine-washable wool blankets should always be washed in cold water on a gentle or low cycle. They should also be air-dried.
How to Wash Fleece Blankets
As is the case with wool, fleece blankets are terrific insulators that help provide and retain warmth. They can help provide some added coziness when you’re braving that early spring baseball game in chilly temperatures. Unlike wool and cotton, fleece blankets are not as durable and may lose their soft qualities over time since they are often made of polyester and other synthetic fibers.
To help keep your fleece blanket soft, wash it in cold water and use just a small amount of laundry detergent. Doing so will help prevent the laundry detergent from sticking to the fibers. You may also wash in warm water if you’re trying to help eliminate potentially lingering germs after your sick kiddo has spent the last couple of days huddled under the fleece blanket.
How to Wash Sherpa Blankets
Sherpa blankets are often like fleece blankets. However, sherpa is typically more of a lining inside other fabrics. Additionally, sherpa blankets are usually less thick than fleece, but just as soft! That said, because of the versatility of sherpa fabrics, these blankets may be more expensive.
Sherpa blankets should be washed in cold water and on a delicate setting. You might wash sherpa blankets less frequently than others because of the delicacy of the fabric, and almost always air dry unless otherwise advised by the fabric care label.
What Type of Laundry Detergent Should You Use to Wash Blankets?
When it comes to laundry detergent, you want to use one that works gently, but effectively. Try some of the following ARM & HAMMER™ laundry detergents to get your blankets looking clean and smelling fresh for cozy time:
- ARM & HAMMER™ Baby Hypoallergenic Liquid Laundry Detergent for Newborns and Infants can help clean your baby’s blankets so they feel comfortable and at home in their crib.
- ARM & HAMMER™ Plus OxiClean™ Stain Fighters Laundry Detergent is color-safe, so you can use it on patterned and colorful blankets whenever the need arises!
- ARM & HAMMER™ Plus OxiClean™ Odor Blasters™ Laundry Detergent can help eliminate sweat, body, and musty odors on blankets. Try washing with Odor Blasters when you pull the blankets out of storage in preparation for cold-weather months!
As you can see, ARM & HAMMER™ has options to choose from when you’re looking to wash blankets. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and consider adding laundry scent boosters to get those blankets smelling fresh!
ARM & HAMMER™ Products Help Those Blankets Smell & Feel Fresh!
Ready to settle up with a nice warm blanket for a leisurely night in? ARM & HAMMER™ laundry products help clean and eliminate odor from your blankets, regardless of their material. Turn to ARM & HAMMER™ laundry products when you need to wash your blankets so you can fully enjoy the warmth and comfort they’re meant to provide!
