How to wash a sheep wool blanket - is it possible in a washing machine?

For a long time, people have noticed the beneficial properties of sheep wool. They knitted mittens, socks, and clothes from it. A blanket made from such wool is very popular among consumers around the world. It is valued for its thermal qualities, healing effect, lightness and environmental friendliness.

A blanket made of sheep wool, if properly cared for, will last you for several decades, but, like all other things, it tends to get dirty. Such a product requires a special approach, so you cannot simply wash a blanket in a machine without the necessary knowledge.

In this article you can learn how to clean wool blankets without damaging the product itself.

What is special about sheep's wool?

Sheep wool is used in the production of all kinds of materials and things. It has both advantages and small disadvantages.

The advantages of sheep wool include:

good breathability,
durability,
environmental friendliness,
excellent thermal insulation properties,
pleasant things to wear.

Unfortunately, this material also has disadvantages. These include:

high cost of elite types of wool,
difficulties in care,
The product must be protected from moths.

Keratin is the main component of sheep wool. It is very durable, allows air to pass through well, but retains heat. The fleece itself is very elastic and resilient, capable of self-cleaning. The main value of sheep wool is its healing properties for health.

Reference! When we wear a sweater made of such material or cover ourselves with a blanket, several effects affect our body: electrostatic, irritating and warming. Those people who have arthritis, radiculitis, diseases of the joints, respiratory tract, and circulatory system will be able to appreciate the healing qualities of wool.

Wool also contains lanolin, which helps speed up wound healing and eliminates pain.

Woolen material for various products is obtained once a year, when the top layer of wool is sheared from sheep. This layer is called fleece. It is cleaned, combed and marked. To determine product quality, all indicators are taken into account.

The length of the wool is responsible for the class of raw material, and the type of yarn will depend on the thickness. An obvious sign of sheep's wool is its crimp. And the larger it is, the more expensive the wool, because it is these twisted hairs that prevent moisture from getting inside and protect against various debris.

Types of sheep wool blankets

Today, the assortment of such products on store windows is quite large. In order to understand whether they can be washed, let's first understand the terminology. Depending on the method of making the blankets are called:

Closed - in them, specially treated sheep wool is sewn into a cover and quilted for better fixation. The finished product is essentially three-layer (fabric-wool-fabric). But based on the type of stitches, closed blankets, in turn, can also be called:

Sewn in the traditional way - that is, with stitching done in one direction.
Karosteps - with patterned quilting. It is believed that the wool in them is better fixed and “walks” less.
Cassette blankets are quilted in the form of separate sections (cassettes), which are squares with sides from 10 to 15 cm. Among quilted products, this type is considered the most wear-resistant and low-deformable.

Open type. There are also several types of these:

Solid woven, that is, without a cover. These include lightweight blankets and more substantial double-sided wool blankets.
Fur - they are made using natural sheepskin.

Can it be processed by machine or by hand?

Only quilted or seamless items made from sheep's wool can be washed by hand.
Hand washing will not cause severe deformation to the products, so it is the best cleaning method. But it is very difficult and difficult to wash a blanket by hand, which after soaking in water has become 5 times heavier. Modern washing machines have a lot of different delicate modes, and this raises the question of whether it is possible to do without hand washing.

To answer it, you need to understand exactly what technology was used to make the blanket. Depending on this, the method of caring for the product will differ.

Have you tried washing a sheepskin blanket yet?

Not really

Quilted

If the blanket is quilted, then when making it, the wool base is placed in a stitched fabric cover and stitched again around the perimeter and center of the product so that the blanket does not curl up inside.

This blanket can be safely washed in a washing machine. It will not lose its original appearance.

But due to the fact that the blanket is very large and heavy, the washing machine may not withstand such a load and break. To keep the machine in working condition, you can wash it by hand.

Advice! When washing by hand, use warm water and detergents without strong fragrances. Before soaking your blanket, read the label on it. There will be all the basic data in the form of icons that indicate how to properly care for the product.

You need to dissolve the detergent in water, soak the blanket for a few minutes, rinse it and rinse it several times in clean water. If there are dirty spots, they should be carefully wiped with a sponge or soft brush. After rinsing, carefully squeeze out the water from the blanket.

Try not to twist it so as not to deform it. The product must be dried on a horizontal surface without direct sunlight and away from heating devices.

You shouldn't wash quilts too often because they will quickly lose their shape. And it doesn’t matter at all what artificial or natural fillers are inside, they deteriorate the same way.

For the long service life of such blankets, you need to change your bed linen in a timely manner. Periodically dry and air the product outside, and if stains appear, try to get rid of them immediately.

Whole woven

The product is made from a single piece of sheep's wool and can only be washed by hand. First, you should carefully read the instructions on the label.

Attention! If the blanket does not contain synthetic fibers, but only natural ones, then it is strictly forbidden to put it in the washing machine. Exposure to different temperatures and rotation of the bedding in a centrifuge will cause it to deteriorate greatly.

Washing a large wool product is a very labor-intensive and difficult process. You can clean a blanket by following simple rules.

You will need a large container for a wool blanket. It must be completely submerged in water. The bathroom is perfect for this.
Then, you need to take warm water and dissolve regular soap in it, if there is no special product for wool items. You can use shampoo. After it, the wool will be soft and fluffy.
Dip the blanket into the prepared soap solution and leave for 10 minutes. Then we carefully wash it by hand so as not to spoil the wool or use a brush with soft bristles.
After hand washing, drain the soapy water and add clean water. The temperature should not be too cold or too hot. Rinse the product.
Now you should drain the water, carefully wring out the wool blanket and let it lie in the bath to drain off the remaining moisture. Then you should move on to drying the item.

The whole process is very labor-intensive and slow.

Fur

When fur products are made from wool, pile is woven into its base, which gives the blanket softness. These products look and feel very attractive, but do not tolerate any washing. You can bring them into proper shape only by dry cleaning at home or by turning to the services of dry cleaners.

Dry cleaning is a method of cleaning a product without using water or detergents. The main advantage for woolen items is the preservation of the appearance and fabric.

If the item does not have strong, complex stains, then any wool product can be cleaned in this way. After the procedure, it does not fade or deform, as there is minimal mechanical impact. Which subsequently extends the life of things.

Reference! Wool, velvet, silk, fur, natural suede, tweed - all these fabrics can be easily cleaned not by machine washing, but by dry cleaning.

But you need to follow certain rules to remove dirt and dust from such materials.

The cleaning product should be tested on an inconspicuous area to avoid damaging the entire item.
You should always wear gloves when working; cleaning substances may be safe for wool or fur, but not for your skin.
Light-colored fabrics are cleaned with loose white substances, soda or starch. For dark ones, take sand or bran.
All cleaning agents must be thoroughly removed from the product.

How do you wash a sheepskin blanket?

In a typewriterManually

How to wash a wool blanket at home

A sheepskin blanket is an excellent choice for those who value environmental friendliness, warmth and comfort. Wool fiber has good hygroscopicity, breathability, and excellent thermal insulation properties. To ensure that all these positive qualities are not lost after washing, you need to follow some rules.

Handwash

After making sure that there are no contraindications, you need to prepare a large container; it is best to wash such large items directly in the bath.

Pour warm water into the bath; the temperature should not exceed 30 °C, as wool may mat and shrink under the influence of high temperatures and liquids.
Dissolve a special liquid detergent for woolen items in water. If this is not the case, then you can use shampoo, but it is not recommended to use regular washing powder, since it does not dissolve completely, and its small particles can disrupt the structure of the wool fibers.
Dip the blanket into the foam solution and lift it up. Do this several times.
You can’t rub or wrinkle too much, since wool fibers have scales that cling to each other during friction, and the fiber becomes denser and will not warm as well.
Rinse in cool water several times to ensure the detergent is completely removed.

Machine washable

This type of cleaning can only be used if there is a corresponding symbol on the product label.

Pour liquid detergent for woolen items into the household chemicals compartment. Typically, such products contain lanolin, an animal wax that helps maintain the structure of the fibers.
Machine wash on wool cycle. Some washing machine models have two temperatures for this mode - 30 °C and 40 °C. You should choose the smaller one.
The spin function must be disabled.

Drying

A washed blanket should not be wrung out or twisted.
The water should be allowed to drain and dried in a horizontal position in a warm, well-ventilated room or outside.
Do not hang on hot batteries.

Washing features

Closed type

The closed type includes quilted and cassette models.
In quilted ones, the wool fabric is placed inside the cover itself and everything is stitched on a sewing machine. Cassette is one canvas that combines individual volumetric elements. It is considered the most durable and durable. Blankets of this type themselves can be for different seasons, but they are all sewn using the same technology. Summer ones differ from winter ones only in the density of the fabric.

Closed-type bedding can be safely washed in a washing machine on a delicate cycle, because the wool inside is well stitched and will not bunch up.

Open type

All kinds of blankets and bedspreads are of the open type, since the woolen fabric is not inside, but outside. They can be double-sided, with the addition of polyester.

Such models require very careful care. Solid woven blankets can be cleaned by hand washing, while fur blankets can only be cleaned by dry cleaning.

Learn how to wash a duvet at home and learn how to properly wash a camel wool blanket.

Which blankets can be washed?

Before putting a natural blanket into the water, you should decide what type it is: closed, woven or fur. Each of these products has its own characteristics.

Closed or quilted are easy to care for, so they are most in demand. They consist of a woven cover and filler stitched together with it. This type of blanket can be refreshed in any way: machine washed, hand washed, or brushed.
The natural layer of a seamless product is not protected by anything, so it easily loses its appearance. This wool blanket is more demanding to care for than a quilted one. At home, gentle cleaning methods are suitable for it: hand wash or dry.
Open fur fabrics (especially double-sided ones) are the most demanding to care for. Natural wool pile does not tolerate water very well. It is best to take such blankets to the dry cleaner or use the dry cleaning method.

The best remedy

Wool has the ability to self-clean, but to maintain it in excellent condition, the fabric must be dry-cleaned or washed by hand with the addition of special products.

Washing powders are not suitable because they are difficult to wash out of a wool blanket. You need to use a special cleaner that contains lanolin. It is well suited for processing wool blankets.

Important! The most popular: Laska “Wool and Silk” washing gel, Luxus Professional Carpet Cleaner, LV Color washing liquid and BioMio washing gel.

These products are suitable for both dry and machine wash. They prevent matting and restore the structure of the coat.

At what temperature should you wash a wool blanket?

If washing a wool product is acceptable, then you should approach each stage of the process with special care. The most important thing is to choose the right water temperature. It is worth considering that when in contact with water, wool becomes many times heavier, and increased water temperature can cause shrinkage. In addition, in hot water the fibers not only shrink, but also lose all their positive qualities. For this reason, you should choose a water temperature that does not exceed 30 degrees.

Attention! Modern automatic machines have a special mode for washing woolen items, including camel, goat and sheep blankets.

Machine washable

How to properly wash blankets that are machine washable?

The first thing you need to do is shake out all the dust and dry the blanket outside, out of direct sunlight. If the blanket is torn somewhere, then this hole should be sewn up. It is better to use special powders for washing the product. They should be free of bleach and harsh chemicals.

The next step is to place all the bedding in the drum of the washing machine. Select the delicate wash mode and set the temperature to no more than 30 degrees.

Attention! A very important point in washing at home. The spin cycle on the machine must be turned off or the washing machine will fail.

After completing the entire procedure, the blanket should lie in the machine for about an hour to allow the remaining water to drain. Then you should straighten it and dry it on a flat surface.

Washing a down product

Read about: what to do if clothes shrink after washing.

One of the most ancient and popular insulation materials is natural down of waterfowl. The down and feather mixture makes the blanket incredibly light and warm. It is comfortable to sleep under it, it is very soft and airy. Since such fillers are susceptible to mold and microorganisms, they need regular cleaning. Previously, the cover was ripped open, all the fluff was pulled out, washed and dried, and then put back into the cover. The blanket remained just as soft and airy.

But now its structure is arranged differently: the entire product is divided into sectors (chambers), into which filler is placed separately. Therefore, you can only clean it entirely. This is usually done at a dry cleaner, but if this is not possible, and the label indicates that washing is allowed, then you can try to do it yourself.

Machine washable

An ordinary home washing machine most likely will not be able to wash a large duvet, but it will cope with a small child’s duvet.

First you need to make sure that all the seams of the cover are absolutely intact, otherwise the fluff may come out during the washing process and clog the machine. If there are tiny holes, you need to carefully sew them up.
The blanket must first be folded several times so that its width is equal to the depth of the drum. Then roll it up and place it in the machine. This way it will be distributed evenly and will not fall off. In this way you can roll any voluminous product.
It is better to choose a detergent specialized for washing down jackets and duvets.
The mode is set to “delicate” or “hand wash”, at a temperature of 30-40 ° C (depending on the recommendations on the label).
Disable automatic spin.

Handwash

Dissolve shavings of laundry soap or a special down cleaning liquid in the bath.
Soak the blanket for 30-60 minutes.
Wash and rinse carefully.
Without squeezing, let the water drain.

Drying

Such products must be dried very carefully.
It should be laid out on a horizontal surface, preferably on a grid. This way the air will circulate freely.
Can be dried in the sun outside or in a very warm, ventilated area. You can even dry it with a hair dryer at a low temperature.

We recommend

To keep blankets clean between washes, they should be regularly ventilated in fresh air and the filling should be kept dry.

If you follow the manufacturer's recommendations on the label, the blankets will remain soft and light even after washing and will give you warmth and a comfortable sleep.

Manual processing

When washing wool at home, ask someone to help you, as the weight of the wet item will increase greatly.

Washing a blanket is best done in the bathroom. Wool fibers absorb water well and greatly increase in size. You need to pour a lot of water; if there is not enough water, then all the bedding will be covered with stains and you will have to wash it again.

You should not use hot water, otherwise the canvas may shrink in size. It should be about 30 degrees. The blanket only needs to be soaked for 15 minutes. It is forbidden to rub wool too hard because it quickly pills and loses its shape. You need to wash it very carefully, making smooth movements.

Advice! Rinse several times until the soap components are completely rinsed out. You can’t squeeze it too hard, just squeeze out excess water and spread it on a horizontal surface. When the canvas dries, be sure to shake it vigorously and straighten out the lumps.

Foam cleaning

The most gentle way to return a wool covering to its presentable appearance is cleaning with foam. Conventionally, it is called “dry”, although water and detergents are used for this process. Clean a blanket with wool in the following sequence:

Lay the product on a horizontal surface, placing a cloth or oilcloth under it.
Dilute a liquid detergent containing lanolin, which has a beneficial effect on wool, in warm water (30°C). Beat it into a fluffy foam.
Using a dry sponge, apply foam to contaminated areas or distribute it over the entire surface, drawing horizontal stripes from one edge to the other.
When the solution is completely dry, clean the blanket. A vacuum cleaner with a plastic attachment or a dry brush will help with this.
For a better result, the canvas is additionally wiped with a slightly damp cloth, and then allowed to dry unrolled. After cleaning, the fur pile is combed, this will restore its volume and softness.

Foam will only refresh the surface of the product and help get rid of stains. Heavily soiled items must be washed.

Dry cleaning

For fur products, dry clean only. Carpet cleaner with lanolin Luxus Professional Carpet cleaner will do an excellent job of stains on wool blankets.

Step-by-step dry cleaning:

Vacuum the product thoroughly.
Distribute the product evenly over it. If the wool blanket is large, then for convenience you need to process it by square meters.
A damp sponge is good, but do not wipe the surface too hard until foam appears.
Allow the product to dry for at least 3 hours and vacuum again.
Place the blanket outside for ventilation.

This type of dry cleaning can quickly deal with a dirty blanket, and if you need to remove an unpleasant odor, then sprinkle the bedding with starch and leave it for a day. After this, carefully knock out or vacuum clean.

This article will tell you how to dry clean a carpet at home.

Can a wool blanket be washed?

With proper care, periodic drying, airing and frequent changing of the duvet cover, the need for washing may not arise for a long time. As with any other fabric product, this process cannot be avoided. Natural filler absorbs moisture well; over time, an unpleasant odor may appear. To avoid this situation, you should deep wash your bedding.

In the case of a quilted blanket, there should be no problems with washing, but if the fabric is solid, then you should definitely consider the label with special instructions from the manufacturer.

How to remove difficult stains?

If the entire blanket is relatively clean, but there are heavy stains, they can be removed using proven products that are found in every home.

Laundry soap. For better absorption of soap into the fabric, you need to grate it and dilute it with water to get a not very thick paste. For a more pleasant smell, you can add fabric conditioner or shampoo. This composition is applied to the stain and left for half an hour. Then wash it off.
Liquid soap, soda and salt. These components are mixed in equal proportions and applied to the stain for 1 hour.
Lemon juice. Removes stains well from white clothes. They should treat the stain and leave for 30 minutes. Instead of juice, you can use citric acid, first dissolve the crystals in warm water.
Turpentine and ammonia. You can moisten a cotton pad with one of these liquids and treat the stain until it disappears completely.

Important! Any product that you used to remove stains from the canvas must be rinsed very well.

Read about removing stains from a carpet here and from a mattress here.

How to wash a wool blanket

It is not recommended to use powdered detergents for washing wool blankets. At 30 degrees, the granules may not completely dissolve, which will lead to them clogging the fibers, after which streaks and stains will appear. Therefore, it is best to use special gels. They do a good job of cleaning and are easy to rinse.

The store today offers a wide selection of washing gels designed for delicate items.

How to dry it after?

Drying can only be done after all the water has drained out.

To begin with, the wool blanket must be laid out on a flat surface. Place a large terry sheet underneath and change to a dry one if necessary. As the blanket dries, be sure to turn it over.

When it is almost dry, you can hang it on the dryer. But you should not turn on the heaters or place bedding on the radiator. Wool does not like temperature changes.

If after drying the bedding has lost its shape, you need to shake it several times and beat it with your hands.

How to wash a blanket by hand

It’s worth starting with this type of washing, because it is safer and preferable to others. The main advantage is that you can control the intensity and duration of contact of wool with water, which is harmful to it. In addition, as much as you want, you won’t rub and twist the blanket as much as a machine will, even with a delicate wash. This means that the risk that it will deteriorate after washing is much less.

However, you still can’t wash the blanket at random and with anything, even with your hands. Experienced people recommend doing it like this:

First, you should go to a household chemicals store and find a special product for caring for woolen fabric. It should contain lanolin - this is beneficial for wool fibers.
Then you need to fill the basin with water - the temperature should be such that you feel comfortable holding your hand in the water, or even a little cooler. In a separate container, the detergent is dissolved in a small amount of water and whipped into foam.
Now attention: first, the product is immersed in a basin of clean water, then removed and laid out on the bottom of the bath.
Using a soft brush or sponge, apply foam over the entire surface of the rug, paying special attention to heavily soiled areas and stains. There is no need to rub the product - it is better to leave the foam to act for 10-15 minutes.
After this, the blanket is immersed again in a basin with clean water, removed and laid out at the bottom of the bath to drain the liquid. Under no circumstances should you squeeze it out!
If necessary, the rinsing procedure can be repeated. But remember: the longer a sheep's wool blanket is in contact with water, the higher the risk of ruining it.
After the moisture has completely drained, the blanket can be moved to the dryer and left until completely dry. This usually takes no more than a day.

A little advice: wool weighs a lot when wet, and it is not easy to transfer such a product from the basin to the bath and back, and then to the dryer. Therefore, it is advisable to involve your beloved man in the process - husband, brother, son.

Proper care

Any blanket, whether it is made of sheep or camel wool, must be well looked after. Change the duvet cover, ventilate and vacuum in a timely manner. If the product is very dirty, it is better to have it dry cleaned, because if it is not properly cared for or dried, an unpleasant odor may appear that will be difficult to get rid of.

Basic Rules:

if a warm blanket is put away in the closet, then you need to put a moth repellent next to it;
Be sure to ventilate the product in the fresh air;
wash wool by hand in warm water and use special products with lanolin;
always pay attention to the label or care instructions, all recommendations are indicated there;
Some woolen fabrics cannot be washed (dry cleaning only), others are recommended to be washed exclusively by hand, and others can withstand washing in a washing machine;
Ironing of wool blankets is excluded.

Helpful information

Tips that may be useful to all owners of a sheep's wool blanket:

If you don’t have washing gel on hand, you can use hair shampoo, which needs to be thoroughly lathered. It can only be used for hand washing.
It is difficult to wash a double wool blanket alone. You need to involve someone from your household in this activity.
Difficult stains should not be attempted to be scrubbed off with a rough brush. To care for the product, use a soft foam sponge or your own hands.
Before you start cleaning your blanket with a new detergent, you should test it on an inconspicuous area of the fabric.

Other ways to clean a sheepskin blanket

If a small stain appears on a natural wool blanket - for example, from spilled tea - or you just think that it is already quite dusty, you can get by with dry cleaning. It can be done in different ways. To remove local dirt, it is best to use soap foam and a brush. Also, a special detergent for washing woolen products is suitable for such cleaning.

If a sheepskin blanket has become saturated with dust and unpleasant odors, and has become dull and untidy, then first you need to shake it well outside and then ventilate it on the balcony. It is better to do this in dry, not sunny weather.

Did not help? Then the blanket is cleaned with foam whipped from liquid Vanish for cleaning upholstered furniture and carpets or another similar product. When processing a blanket, you should try not to get it wet, but clean it only with foam. Then it will become clean, bright and fragrant again.