How to effectively clean heavy and thick blankets

Cleaning thick or heavy winter blankets is very important as winter approaches, in order to keep your body warm when you sleep. However, the ideal way to clean heavy blankets for the best result is to check the care label attached to each blanket, which provides the manufacturer’s instructions on how to care for them, whether hand washing or machine washing. It’s also important to look at the drying method, whether it’s outdoors, on a clothesline outside, on a rack inside, or in a dryer.

In the following lines, every housewife can learn important details related to cleaning thick or heavy winter blankets and removing stains and unpleasant odors left over from storage. In general, depending on how often the blankets are used, one should be washed every few weeks. On the other hand, they should be washed every quarter, or every three to four months, if not used regularly.

Tips before washing thick blankets

Tips before washing thick blankets

Keep the following points in mind before washing heavy or thick blankets:

• Always check the care label to make sure the blanket is machine washable.
• Avoid using fabric softener and bleach when washing, as fabric softeners can build up and scratch your blanket, while bleach can break down fibers over time.
• Wash the blanket separately due to its size, without adding other blankets or clothes to the drum, to avoid overworking the washing machine.
• Wash a large blanket that weighs more than 20 pounds in a laundromat, rather than in your home washing machine or hand wash.

How to Machine Wash Thick Blankets?

• Removing stains: Stains on a thick blanket can be cleaned with a toothbrush dipped in a cleaning solution of lukewarm water and mild detergent. If the stains require more effort to remove, try soaking the stained area in cold water mixed with laundry detergent for 45 minutes to 60 minutes. Afterward, run a damp washcloth through the water to remove the soap, then air dry the blanket.
• Wash the thick blanket: Place the blanket, alone, in the washing machine on a gentle cycle, using cold water and mild detergent.
• Drying the blanket: The blanket can be dried in a dryer, or left to air dry. However, if using a dryer, set it to a low heat, pause the drying cycle periodically, and fluff the blanket to make sure it dries evenly. If air-drying, it takes 24 to 48 hours per blanket. To speed up the drying process, turn the blanket over every four hours.

How to hand wash thick blankets?

Many blankets can be washed by hand, using a cleaning solution consisting of a small amount of cold water mixed with mild, bleach-free laundry detergent in a large sink or bathtub, with the importance of immersing one of the thicker blankets in the soapy water mixture, making sure to wet all parts, for 10 to 30 minutes.

Then gently scrub any particularly dirty areas, using a soft brush. Rinse the blanket with cold water, afterward, until the water is clear, making sure there is no residual soap suds. Then, lay the blanket flat, on a large, clean surface, to air dry completely before using it again. It may take a day or two, and the blanket should be turned over every few hours to speed up the process.