How to Wash and Care for Wool Blankets
Keep your wool blanket soft with this simple cleaning guide.
A good wool blanket keeps you warm and cozy, so caring for it is key to keeping the material soft and like new. Because wool blankets are durable, long-lasting, water-resistant, and low maintenance, you can keep them for years or even decades with proper care.
Before trying to figure out how to wash a wool blanket, first check the fabric laundry care label. There are some wool blankets that are dry clean only, and, in these instances, you may want to take the blanket to the dry cleaner instead of trying to wash it at home.
If you use your wool blanket daily, wash it every three months using a wool-safe, delicate detergent. In most cases, you only need to spot-clean it or clean it seasonally. When washing wool, never use warm or hot water or a clothes dryer. You can hand-wash or machine-wash using a short, gentle, cold-water setting. Wool can shrink, warp, or become felted, and it will never be the same if mishandled or exposed to heat.
Read on for more details on how to wash, store, and repair wool blankets.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Soft-bristled brush
- Clean cloth
- Washing machine
- Soft bath towels (Optional)
- Drying rack (Optional)
- Iron (Optional)
- Pressing cloth (optional)
Materials
- Wool-safe detergent
- Club soda or vinegar (Optional)
Instructions
How to Wash a Wool Blanket | |
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Detergent | Wool-safe |
Water Temperature | Cold |
Cycle Type | Delicate or hand-wash |
Drying Cycle Type | Air-dry only |
Special Treatments | Pre-treat stains |
Iron Settings | Usually unnecessary; in a rare case, 300 F |
How Often to Wash | Seasonally or once every three month |
How to Wash a Wool Blanket
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Shake the Blanket
Before you wash a wool blanket, shake it out, and hang it in a well-ventilated area. This step can go a long way in helping the blanket feel fresh again, and you might not have to wash it.
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Brush the Blanket
Lay the blanket flat on a clean surface. Brush the blanket, using a soft-bristled brush, with each stroke going in the same direction. This removes embedded dirt.
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Treat Stains
Treat stains on your wool blanket with cold water and a mild detergent, club soda, or a vinegar solution (1/3 cup distilled white vinegar and 2/3 cup water). Soak the area, and blot with a clean cloth. Stains are likely to set if not cleaned immediately.
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Pre-Soak the Blanket in Cold Water
Fill the washing machine with cold water and a wool-safe detergent. Put the wool blanket in, and let it soak for 15 minutes.
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Wash for a Couple of Minutes
Use a specified wool-safe detergent and set the washing machine to the gentle cycle, and let it run for two minutes. Cancel the cycle, switch it to the rinse cycle, and let the rinse cycle finish. Send the blanket through one more rinse cycle if you see suds on the fabric.
Tip
If you're lucky enough to have a wool-specific cycle on your washer, then use this instead of the gentle cycle.
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Roll the Blanket in a Towel
Roll up the blanket in a dry bath towel to absorb excess moisture. You may need to use more than one towel to eliminate the water. Don’t wring out the blanket, as it will ruin the shape of the wool.
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Air-Dry the Blanket
Hang the blanket outside to allow it to air-dry, but keep it out of direct sunlight. The sun can destroy the blanket’s softness. Avoid putting the wool blanket in the dryer, too, as it can crush the fibers and shrink the blanket. You can hang a slightly damp blanket to dry over a door, on a drying rack, or on a non-rusting shower or towel bar.
How Often to Clean a Wool Blanket
Wool blankets don't require frequent cleaning. If you use it daily, then wash it every three months. If you only use it seasonally, wash it once per season. Since they're delicate, you can hold off and wash or spot-clean your blanket only when it's noticeably soiled or has a foul smell. Occasionally, hang the wool blanket outside for a few hours to freshen it.
Wool Blanket Care and Repairs
Treating Stains
Wool is naturally resistant to soiling and oil-based liquids because it has a natural waxy coating that repels fluids. If a spill or stain is fresh, immediately blot it with a clean cloth. Blotting quickly will likely soak up most of the fluid. However, if left to stain or penetrate the fiber, wool fibers can be very absorbent.
Pretreat stains using the guidelines for the specific type of stain. Gently rub the stain remover on the fabric with your fingers. If using a commercial stain remover, read the product label carefully to ensure it can be used on wool. Test any stain removal methods on an inconspicuous spot before using. Don't scrub at the spot with a brush, which can mark the fabric. Follow it up by washing the item carefully.
Holes and Tears
Wool blankets are expensive, so it pays to repair them, especially if you spot a moth hole that can only get bigger. Small moth holes can be mended by pinching the hole together and sewing them securely with a darning needle and matching wool thread. You'll need to patch larger holes using a coordinating remnant that you can slide into place and securely stitch on both sides of the blanket. Or, look into darning and wool patch kits to fill a hole.
Fixing Shrunken Wool Blankets
A common mistake with wool is that it can shrink if washed in a warm or hot wash cycle. Wool fibers contract when heat is applied. Several home remedies for unshrinking wool include soaking the blanket in water with some vinegar, fabric softener, hair conditioner, or specialty wool products, which all work to relax the fibers.
If you encounter problems while cleaning your blanket, a dry cleaner's expertise with wool items might prove invaluable to restoring the blanket to its former fresh, soft glory.
Ironing
Though you typically won't need to iron a wool blanket, there may be a couple of stubborn wrinkles that need a little help to flatten. The steam from an iron can often eliminate a crease in wool without the iron ever touching the fabric. If you must remove a wrinkle, use an iron sparingly on the wool setting (300 degrees), and always use a pressing cloth under the iron. If you don't do the latter, you run the chance of creating a damaging shiny patch on the wool.
Storing
Protect a wool blanket from pests and dampness while in storage. Years ago, mothballs were used to keep insects from destroying wool fibers, but this method left a lasting and unpleasant scent that permeated the blanket and the whole room.
Instead, store a wool blanket in a tightly sealed bin or a heavy plastic bag. If pests are a concern, add a few cedar chips or woodblocks. Cedarwood is a natural flying-insect repellent and an excellent alternative to mothballs.
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Is it OK to wash a wool blanket in the washing machine?
If it says "dry clean only," a wool blanket should be dry cleaned, but all other wool blankets can be carefully washed in cold water. You just have to follow the right method, which includes using a gentle cycle or wool cycle on your washing machine.
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What detergent washes wool blankets?
Because wool fibers are so sensitive, use only a gentle, wool-safe detergent. Other detergents could damage or shrink wool.
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Can wool blankets go in the dryer?
Never dry a wool blanket in a dryer. When wool goes into the dryer and is exposed to hear, the fibers will shrink up, making your blanket a mere memory of its previous self.