How To Wash A Blanket At Home, Is It Possible To Use A Washing Machine, Which Mode To Choose + Photos And Videos

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

How to wash a blanket at home in a washing machine or by hand

How pleasant it is to come home after a hard day's work, sit in a chair and, wrapped in a warm blanket, drink hot aromatic tea! Home comfort and warmth are traditionally associated with a fluffy product. It can be made of different materials, but in order to remain soft and comfortable for a long time, it is necessary to take care of it, observing certain rules. Sometimes it seems that washing it is a whole problem, but it is not.

Content

• 1 What is the blanket made of? Natural and artificial fabrics

  • 1.1 Synthetic - fleece, acrylic, viscose, faux fur
  • 1.2 Natural - cotton, fur, silk, woolen, bamboo

• 2 How to wash in a washing machine

  • 2.1 We erase synthetic blankets - fleece, acrylic, viscose, artificial fur, microfiber
  • 2.2 Washing natural fabrics in the washing machine

• 3 Hand wash

  • 3.1 Washing a large blanket at home
  • 3.2 Delicates - silk, various types of wool, bamboo fiber, cotton

• 4 Dry home cleaning

  • 4.1 "Sat down" and "rolled". Possible problems after washing

    • 4.1.1 We erase the blanket in the washing machine: video
    • 4.1.2 We erase the blanket … with our feet! Interesting video to help the hostess

What is the plaid made of? Natural and artificial fabrics

Today, blankets are not only a “thing for an armchair”. They can be used as a bedspread - to make a bed or a sofa for them, take it to a picnic, you can hide instead of a blanket. Very coarse knitted blankets are used instead of floor carpets.

Today the plaid is a symbol of home comfort

A good product should be pleasant to the touch, so “soft” materials are used to make blankets. They can be divided according to the naturalness of the composition.

Synthetic - fleece, acrylic, viscose, faux fur

Fleece blankets, despite their “unnaturalness”, are one of the most popular. Fleece is lightweight, compact, soft to the touch, durable and hypoallergenic. It is safe to cover even small children with such a blanket. In addition, fleece products are highly durable and unpretentious. Of the minuses, we note the high flammability and the accumulation of static electricity.

Viscose, unlike fleece, is antistatic - not electrified. In addition, viscose bedspreads allow air to pass through and keep you warm.

Acrylic is also non-electrifying and easy to clean. Acrylic canvas holds paint well, so they are often brighter than others.

Plaids made of fake fur, as a rule, are planted on a fleece or velor lining. The faux fur is highly durable and looks great.

Plaids made of artificial fabrics in the photo

Viscose is one of the most successful options for plaid fabric

Faux fur looks luxurious, but is more demanding to care for

Fleece blankets are very lightweight, compact, inexpensive

Blankets made of synthetic materials can withstand both mechanical washing and hand washing. It is advisable to avoid the appearance of particularly stubborn stains and strong old dirt. The water temperature for washing should not exceed 60 degrees, but it is better to be 35–40. It is not necessary to wring it out, and it is necessary to dry synthetics naturally, not in the sun and away from heating appliances.

Natural - cotton, fur, silk, wool, bamboo

Cotton blankets can be made of 100% cotton or contain acrylic and wool. They are compact, durable and easy to clean. They are thin and convenient to take on trips or hikes. Delicate fabrics include 100% cotton products.

Bamboo fiber for a blanket can be processed in two ways - mechanically or chemically (with alkali). "Mechanical" cloth is rougher, but its cost is higher, since it is believed that coarse fibers are environmentally friendly and therefore more beneficial to human health. Chemical processing gives excellent softness to the threads.

Microfiber is also obtained from bamboo. To obtain this material, bamboo fibers are artificially split. As a result, the structure becomes more porous, hygroscopicity (absorbency) and air permeability increase.

Woolen, perhaps the most diverse in material. They can be made from sheep wool (virgin, merino, new zealand), goat (mohair, cashmere), angora rabbit wool, alpaca wool and camel wool. Products made from woolen fabrics have all the advantages of products made from natural fabrics, but require special care. Their cost varies greatly depending on the quality of the wool; cashmere (cashmere goat fluff) and virgin wool (collected from lambs) are considered elite and, accordingly, more expensive.

Blankets made of natural fur or silk are the most capricious. They look, of course, expensive and, accordingly, demanding in care. Often, the lining for fur is made of silk.

Products from natural fabrics: photo examples

A cotton blanket, due to its ability to pass air well, will perfectly replace a blanket in the warm season

Wool blanket adds coziness to the interior, especially in winter

Alpaca (llama) wool is valuable for its warming properties

Modern Angora blankets are made from angora rabbit fluff

A combination of luxury and taste - cashmere and silk

One of the most expensive blanket materials is cashmere. He is extremely moody in leaving

Products made from natural materials should be washed by hand, even a delicate washing machine can damage the fibers. You also need a special detergent for such washing, for example, marked "for wool and silk".

Dry such products on a horizontal surface, gently straightening them. You can't hang up, they will stretch.

Natural fur blankets should be dry cleaned. This material does not tolerate moisture and requires professional care.

If a couple of stains appear on the blanket, it is better to try to remove them without washing. For example, an iodine stain can be removed by rubbing with raw potatoes, cut in half. And in order to remove traces of nail polish, use the following tip.

1. If the stain is fresh, blot it to keep the varnish layer as thin as possible.
2. Place a soft, clean cloth or rolled paper towel on the back.
3. Dampen a cotton pad with nail polish remover or acetone and gently blot the stain until the polish is gone.
4. Do not forget to check the color fastness of the fabric on an inconspicuous place - at the seam, for example, before starting to remove the stain.

Hand gum can also leave unsightly marks on the fabric. In order for them to disappear - first scrape off as much of the gum from the fabric as possible - this will make it easier to remove it from the fibers. Then wipe the stain with a cotton pad and rubbing alcohol. The gum should be washed from the edge of the stain towards the center so as not to increase the area of contamination.

After removing such stains, the material, of course, will need to be washed to completely remove the remnants of the funds. But it is better to entrust the removal of stubborn dirt on any type of fabric to professionals.

How to wash in a washing machine

To determine if the blanket can be washed in the washing machine, first of all pay attention to the label with the recommendations. It is on it that it is indicated what kind of cleaning the product will withstand without loss. Different types of fabrics have their own cleaning. For example, synthetics are perfectly machine washed.

For optimal washing of the blanket in the CMA, the drum capacity should be at least 4.5 kg. Check if the dry blanket fits in the drum. Large (for example, double) blankets are unlikely to be washed in an ordinary machine. If, after loading dry, about 1/4 of the drum volume remains, feel free to start washing. But don't forget to prepare.

• Shake out dust. It is better to do this outdoors - on the balcony or in the yard.
• If you have pets, it is better to remove wool from the blanket before washing - the washing result will be better. Wool can be removed with a vacuum cleaner or by hand using a soft bristled brush. Wool can be removed perfectly if you wear ordinary rubber gloves on your hands. If there are very few hairs, you can use a sticky cleaning roller or tape.
• Remember that it is better to wash any blankets "alone", even if there is free space in the washing machine drum.

We wash synthetic blankets - fleece, acrylic, viscose, artificial fur, microfiber

These are the most unpretentious materials in washing and general care.

1. Place the product in the drum of the washing machine.
2. Select a program for delicate fabrics. The water temperature should not exceed 30-40 degrees.
3. The recommended spin speed is 800–1000 rpm. You should not wring out artificial fur; in extreme cases, set the spin mode to 400 rpm.

You can add fabric softener, but not fleece. Fleece is water and dirt repellent, and conditioners can damage the fabric. And for blankets with a long pile, using conditioner will be very useful to soften the lint.

Drying. If after washing you decide not to spin, then you need to remove the excess water.

To do this, slightly wring out the fabric without twisting it. Is the blanket too wet? Spread it out with one hand and with the palm of the other, gently, as it were, drive off excess water. The less the blanket is curled, the smoother it dries. After washing, a damp blanket made from artificial fabrics can be dried both vertically and horizontally. The blanket can simply be hung on a rope, but periodically change the place of the fold to avoid the formation of creases. Or place the blanket on a flat surface such as a tumble dryer. The faux fur blanket is dried only in such a way that air flows to it in all directions. And do not forget to periodically change the position of the blanket, otherwise a musty smell will appear.

Do not place damp products near radiators or other heating devices, or in direct sunlight, as this can lead to overdrying and sticking of fibers. When it comes to ironing, artificial fabrics dry quickly and do not need to be ironed.

Should I use a tumble dryer ? In no case! Synthetic fabrics can melt and have to be discarded.

Washing blankets made from natural fabrics in the washing machine

Manufacturers do not recommend machine washing for products made from natural fabrics. Even with wash programs for woollens and delicates, the fibers of the garments may be damaged.

There is neither desire nor time for washing?

1. Select a suitable program "Delicate", "Wool", "Fur wash", "Cashmere wash". The recommended water temperature is 30 degrees.
2. Use special detergents for woollens and delicates. It is not necessary to add conditioner, as wool detergents already contain emollients.
3. It is better not to use the spin, in extreme cases, set it to 400 rpm.
4. The cover must be allowed to drain. Lay it horizontally away from heat sources.

Handwash

This method applies primarily to delicate fabrics - wool, silk, bamboo. However, you can also hand wash a blanket made of artificial fabrics. Preparation rules - as for machine washing: remove dust and other dirt.

1. Fill a basin (or a bath, depending on the size of the blanket) with warm water.
2. The water temperature is no more than 40 degrees.
3. Dissolve the detergent in water. The amount of the product depends on the recommendations on the package. Laundry soap can be used.
4. Rub the fabric gently, often saturating the fabric with soapy water.
5. Rinse well.
6. Do not twist, just squeeze or squeeze out the water with your hands and allow excess liquid to drain.
7. Spread wet material horizontally and flatten. The smoother it lies, the faster it will dry and there will be no creases on it.

Washing a large blanket at home

Washing a large blanket at home is not an easy task. For very large and sufficiently soiled blankets, you can use the following original method.

1. Draw up enough lukewarm water and dilute the liquid detergent in it.
2. Soak the previously shaken out material for half an hour or an hour.
3. Start washing with your feet. Yes, just get into the bath on a blanket and walk. Be careful not to slip. This wash will remove all the dirt, 10-15 minutes of intensive walking is enough.

Delicates - silk, various types of wool, bamboo fiber, cotton

Products made from natural fabrics absorb any odors well. Therefore, if you only want to give the blanket freshness, it is not at all necessary to wash it. Sometimes it is enough to hang the laundry in the open air or on the balcony.

Is there light dirt on the fabric? Try cleaning with a soft brush and soapy water first.

1. Shake or vacuum the blanket well.
2. Prepare a soapy solution - dilute 2 tablespoons of liquid product in 1 liter of warm water.
3. Wet a soft brush in the solution and gently brush the blanket. Do not rub, there is a risk of damaging the fibers.
4. Flip over and brush on the other side.

The result did not please you and the pollution remained? Time to get a bath.

1. To wash the blanket by hand, fill the tub with warm water. The temperature should be around 30 degrees.
2. Add a special detergent for delicate fabrics. It can be replaced with any hair shampoo. Do not use products with bleaching particles.
3. Soak the natural wool material for 10-15 minutes. This will soften the fibers and give a better wash result.
4. Such items do not tolerate rough handling, so wash with light squeezing. Do not rub, the wash should be very gentle. It is better not to use the method of washing with feet for delicate fabrics so as not to stretch the material.
5. Rinse the product thoroughly in warm water.
6. Do not squeeze it, do not twist it, let excess water drain.
7. Place the wet cloth on a flat, horizontal surface. The fabric dries faster if you spread something absorbent, such as a soft towel. Items made of delicate fabrics cannot be hung on a rope - they may lose their shape.

Dry home cleaning

If you are still in doubt whether your blanket can be washed, use the dry home cleaning method. It is recommended for wool and cashmere garments.

To do this, you will need:

• 0.5 cups of warm water;
• 1 teaspoon of vinegar
• 2 teaspoons of any hair shampoo.

1. Mix the ingredients. The solution should turn into a foam.
2. Dampen a soft brush in the foam and gently clean the blanket. For best results, cleaning is best done on both sides.
3. Shake the blanket and vacuum to remove any remaining foam.
4. Leave to dry after straightening.

You can iron delicate blankets with a slightly warm iron, but only from the inside out.

"Sat down" and "rolled". Possible problems after washing

Has the blanket rolled up after washing? You may have added too much detergent and the soap has not completely rinsed out of the fabric. In this case, the blanket will be "needles", hard to the touch. It is necessary to thoroughly rinse the item until all soap particles are removed.

Plaid "sat down"? It happens that after washing you can find out that the blanket has become clearly smaller. Most often this happens with wool blankets. It is quite possible to bring him back to life.

The easiest option is to wash it again, but without detergents. Basically, just soaking the blanket is enough to swell the fibers with water. Further, everything is the same as for the first wash - let the excess water drain and straighten the blanket on a horizontal surface. During drying, from time to time, do not stretch the blanket too much in different directions, so that the fibers grow evenly. If you have a steamer, the problem can be solved without soaking. Just gently peel off the back of the blanket, stretching slightly. The wet fibers will grow to the desired size, the main thing is not to pull hard.

Another problem after washing is the formation of pills. Most often, this is the "sin" of products made of synthetic fibers. On blankets with a high content of acrylic and wool, pellets appear first. To prevent the occurrence of rolling, you must:

• wash more often by hand than in a washing machine. Due to friction on the drum, the fabric rolls;
• use mild liquid detergents. Abrasive powder will increase friction - the main cause of pellet formation;
• do not overdry things;
• the use of special devices in the washing machine - balls for washing - in this case will increase friction and, as a result, will lead to rolling of fibers;
• if the pellets do appear, use a special machine to remove them. It is not recommended to use a blade or scissors in this case - there is a risk of damaging the fabric.

We erase a blanket in a washing machine: video

We erase the blanket … with our feet! Interesting video to help the hostess

A bright and soft blanket will delight you for a long time if you take care of it properly. Washing should be gentle, hand washing is best. Proper storage is also important. They must be stored in special cases with air access. No plastic bags! Roll the blanket into a roll - so it will remain without creases. Place moth repellent - lavender moth tablets or special sachets for freshness in the case with the product.