Blankets get dirty less often than bed linen – but they do get dirty. This means they need to be washed. This article will tell you how to wash a blanket without ruining the product.
Such washing is quite a labor-intensive process. This is why many simply refuse to wash the blanket. This is a mistake - sometimes your health may depend on its cleanliness. The fact is that in addition to the bad appearance, which can be easily hidden by a duvet cover, various harmful microorganisms begin to live inside. It is unlikely that anyone likes such a neighborhood, so you need to approach washing and drying responsibly.
First, prepare the item – dry it, shake it out, check the manufacturer’s instructions on the label. After that, you need to decide how you will wash and dry it – the choice here depends on the material. General recommendations: limit yourself to a temperature of 30-40 degrees, choose a liquid detergent without bleach, wash on a delicate cycle and spin at low speed.
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Machine or hand wash?
The answer to this question depends on two factors: the material of the product and your washing machine. We will talk about the materials a little later, but now let's focus on your washing machine. It would seem that the blanket is light, washing it will not be a problem. However, when wet, it can increase its weight. How much depends on the material. Sometimes this figure reaches ten times. Not every machine can handle this weight. So before washing, find the instructions for your washing machine model. Check whether it is possible to wash bulky items in it.
How to wash a blanket made of synthetic padding or holofiber?
Synthetic blanket filling has many advantages - it does not retain an unpleasant odor, dust mites do not start in it, fungus and mold bypass it. It is easy to wash, but it is still worth knowing some features. First, check the label.
There are always instructions for washing the product written there. If the instructions on the label do not match the average option in this article, follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you cut off the label, lost it, or it was erased, here are the most common ones.
- If there are holes on the surface, darn them.
- If there are particularly dirty areas, clean them first with a brush and soap solution. The area around the edges usually gets dirtier.
- Wash the powder receptacle. There should be no traces of washing powder left in it. Wash the blanket using liquid or gel detergent.
For washing bulky blankets, gel-type powders are best suited. - Set the mode. Many machines have a separate mode for bulky items. If you have to set it manually, select a temperature of 40-50 degrees, a delicate mode, and maximum spin.
To maintain quality, do not exceed the washing temperature indicated on the blanket label. - Roll the blanket into a tube and put it in the washing machine.
To properly load a blanket into the drum, you need to roll it into a roll. - To prevent the material from bunching up, place a few tennis balls or special washing stones in the machine.
You can use tennis balls or special laundry balls that break up clumps during the cleaning process. - When washing is complete, remove the blanket from the machine.
- Distribute the stuffing evenly and dry by shaking and turning it over several times.
All items, except flannel, should be dried on a horizontal surface. 
It is better to dry the blanket in a horizontal position or use special devices for better ventilation.
Washing synthetic materials in a machine is easy. But if your machine is not designed for washing bulky items or is missing, the task becomes fraught with problems. The main one is weight. So you should only wash by hand if you have physical strength or have a strong assistant. The algorithm of actions will be as follows:
- Clean the dirtiest areas with a brush and soapy water.
- Fill the bathtub with water at 30-40 degrees about a quarter full. Add detergent.
- Place the blanket in the water so that it sinks in it. Distribute it evenly.
Hand washing a blanket in the bathroom is a difficult but possible process. - We wash. You can do this by hand, or you can climb into the bathtub and trample around with clean bare feet for 20-30 minutes.
- Drain the water.
- Add cold water for rinsing, rinse, drain, repeat 3-4 times.
- Drain the water. Leave the bathtub with the drain open for an hour to let the water drain a little.
- Dry it.
Washing wool and bamboo blankets
Natural materials are capricious. It is better to wash them by hand. To do this, use water at a temperature of 30 degrees and special detergents for washing woolen products. Do not rub the linen, but dip and take it out in a soap solution. Rinse in water of the same temperature so that it does not shrink. After washing, leave the blanket in the bathroom to drain. Dry horizontally, straightening it on a soft cloth that absorbs moisture. Do not rub, wring, or stretch it.
Washing a cotton blanket
There are three ways to clean a cotton blanket: soaking, surface cleaning, and machine washing. It is better to remove all external dirt by cleaning, and wash and soak no more than once a year.
- Surface cleaning. Beat thoroughly. Spray the spots with soapy water from a spray bottle, rub them with a brush. Do not wet the padding. Then dry carefully.
Surface cleaning of a cotton blanket to remove small stains - Soaking. Fill the bathtub with warm water, add detergent. Soak the product in water for 30 minutes. Take a brush and wipe off all dirt, rinse the bedspread thoroughly, leave it in the bathtub to drain. After that, straighten it, distribute the stuffing and dry it horizontally, turning it over regularly.
- Machine wash. Larger sizes are best cleaned in a laundry. If your option is small - a child's or single, then roll it up. Wash at 40 degrees and 400 rpm, adding laundry balls or tennis balls inside. Immediately after washing, dry the blanket as indicated in the previous option, so that it does not start to sweat in the washing machine.
It is better to replace traditional washing powder with its liquid analogue
Silk and down blanket
Usually the manufacturer recommends using dry cleaning services. This is correct - the material is capricious, so whenever possible, clean it with professionals. It will not hit your wallet too hard, since it is enough to wash down products once a year, and stains can be removed with a brush and soap solution. If you still decide to wash the blanket at home - follow the following instructions.
- Wash it on a delicate or down cycle at 30 degrees, with double rinsing and spinning at maximum speed.
It is better to choose the delicate or “Hand wash” mode with a minimum number of revolutions. - Use a special detergent.
- Place tennis balls or special rubber balls into the drum.
Place the blanket in the drum along with two or three tennis balls. - Dry the blanket on a horizontal surface, placing an absorbent cloth underneath it. Shake and straighten the filling regularly, turn the blanket over.
- Hand wash as you would any other blanket - soak, rinse well and wring out. Proper drying is key.
In conclusion
Washing blankets is a labor-intensive and physically demanding process. But if you call on a strong friend for help, take into account the instructions and advice in this article and carefully read the label, such work will not take much time and will end successfully.
