During the winter, we like to cover ourselves with a wool, fleece or mohair blanket to benefit from thermal comfort in our bed. These materials provide warmth and softness and help you sleep better. However, dust, dust mites, animal hair or even sweat can soil the covers. To clean them, there are practical tips to know. Here’s how to wash winter blankets without damaging them.

Bed linen can get dirty over time and make your bedroom feel much less cocooning. Sheets, pillowcases, duvets, duvet covers, throw blankets and bedding may have dirt, stains and bad odors. But while some of these  bedding items can be machine washed , this is not necessarily the case with the blankets. Here are our tips for washing your winter blankets and preserving their textile fibres.

How to wash winter blankets?

winter blankets

Winter cover – Source: spm

To maintain your linens, you must wash them regularly. Learn how to clean your winter blankets according to their textile fibres:

1. Wool blankets

Depending on the material of which they are made, the blankets require special washing.

Wash a woolen blanket in the washing machine

A wool blanket is machine washable. To clean it, you can use a cold wool program and opt for a detergent suitable for wool. You can also take your wool blanket to a laundromat if you don’t have a large drum machine.

Hand wash a woolen blanket

It is possible to wash a wool blanket by hand. The best is to place the cover in a bathtub and to bring liquid Marseille soap. Pour warm to cold water into the tub and rub your blanket with a little Marseille soap. Let it soak for 10 minutes in the water, then step into your tub and step on your blanket. Rinse it off in the shower and let it drain. Finally, let it air dry.

2. Knitted Acrylic Blankets

As for knitted acrylic blankets, they cannot be machine washed. For optimal washing, it is advisable to put them in a bathtub or shower tray and use liquid detergent, shampoo or shower gel. Scrub to remove stains and dirt,  then rinse with the hand shower. Squeeze and let air dry.

3. Mohair blankets

The mohair blanket is not machine washable. If you want to wash it, soak it in a bathtub filled with cold water and add shampoo suitable for wool. Leave to soak for 10 minutes then press the cover, being careful not to rub at the risk of damaging it. Then rinse with lukewarm water and wring gently.

4. Fleece blankets

If you have a fleece blanket, you can machine or hand wash it. However, you should not wash it at more than 40°C so as not to damage its textile fibres. Do not use fabric softener and choose a wool program and a suitable detergent if you opt for machine washing. Prefer to dry your blanket in the open air.

How to dry the blankets?

blanket drying

Blanket drying – Source: spm

To dry your blankets, simply use terry towels and roll them up to remove excess water. Next, place your towels out in the open using clothespins or spring clips to hang them up.

You now know how to clean your blankets to keep bedding clean and enjoy a cozy bed with peace of mind. Also, learn how to stay  warm in your home in the winter while lowering your electricity bills .