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Throw blankets, much like mattresses and duvet covers, are household items that often get overlooked when it comes to cleaning. Since they might only be used for a couple of hours daily, they’re easily forgotten on laundry day. However, given their presence in shared spaces where they encounter food crumbs, dust, pet hair, and even sweaty feet, they likely require more frequent washing than most people assume. So, how often is sufficient?
What’s the ideal frequency for washing your throw blankets?
Generally speaking, throw blankets should be cleaned every two to four weeks, depending on how often they’re used. According to Stephen Light, Co-Owner of Nolah Mattress, in an interview with The Spruce, “If the blanket mostly stays draped on the couch with minimal use, washing it once a month should suffice.” However, he adds that if it’s used daily, “your pets lounge on it, and it trails on the floor as you move around, it’s better to wash it every week or two.”
What about blankets that pets frequently use?
Blankets that are often used by your beloved pets need more frequent washing. Typically, pet bedding should be cleaned every 1-2 weeks, and even more often if someone in the household suffers from pet allergies or asthma. (The Sleep Foundation suggests washing your sheets every 3-4 days if your pet sleeps on them.) Tools like Fur Zapper, which helps transfer pet hair to the dryer’s lint trap, can enhance fur removal and improve overall cleanliness.
What’s the best way to wash throw blankets?
While care instructions may differ, John Mahdessian, founder of Madame Paulette, a cleaning expert, advised Apartment Therapy that unless the blankets are labeled dry-clean only, “tossing them in the washing machine should be fine. Use a cold or slightly warm setting on a short, delicate cycle, and avoid overloading on detergent or fabric softener, as excessive amounts can degrade the blanket faster.”
Excess detergent can be tough for your machine to rinse out fully in one cycle, and fabric softener should be avoided because it leaves a waxy residue on the fabric, which can trap dirt, cause buildup, and actually make the fabric less soft over time. For delicate materials like loosely woven cable-knit blankets, using a mesh laundry bag can help prevent stretching during washing.
How should wool blankets be handled?
Wool is too fragile for machine washing and should only be cleaned by hand. This process can involve soaking the blanket in a mild detergent for about 30 minutes before rinsing. The benefit of this extra effort is that wool naturally resists stains and odors better than many other materials, and it requires washing less frequently—only once every few months.
Is it safe to dry throw blankets in a dryer?
After checking the care instructions on your blanket’s label, the general recommendation is to avoid using a dryer if possible. Excessive drying can strip the blanket of its softness and alter its shape more quickly, as well as lead to snags and pilling. If air-drying isn’t feasible due to time or space constraints, use a no-heat or low-heat setting on your dryer until the blanket is about 80% dry, then let it air-dry the rest of the way.
