How to wash a wool blanket: machine wash, hand wash, dry clean

Sheep wool blankets have been popular throughout time. This is a lightweight, environmentally friendly and warm product that can last for many years. But to do this, it needs to be carefully looked after and promptly cleaned of dirt and stains.

When using and regularly changing the duvet cover, the need for washing arises much less often, since the product gets dirty less. But this will not protect the item from dirt and unpleasant odors. Sheep wool is very susceptible to various odors, as it absorbs them like a sponge.

How to wash a sheep's wool blanket without damaging the structure of an expensive item? The main thing is to follow certain rules, and you will easily cope with this task.

A little about the features of blankets

Natural wool fibers are a product of processing animal hair, in most cases sheep of various breeds. Products made from such raw materials have a number of properties:

high degree of aeration - fibers allow air to pass through without creating a “greenhouse effect”;
excellent hygroscopicity - wool absorbs up to 30% moisture while remaining dry;
safety – the products do not cause skin irritation or allergic reactions, which means they are successfully used even for small children.

The air that is between the curls of wool fibers is the best heat insulator, providing the high warming ability of blankets and blankets. Thanks to the elasticity of the raw materials, the products softly and pleasantly envelop the body, easily returning to their original state.

Doctors say that micromassage of the skin occurs with the help of wool fibers. It helps relieve tension and relax the body and is an excellent remedy for insomnia.

But, along with advantages, products made from natural wool also have negative properties. They cake over time, thickening and losing their appearance. Therefore, you need to care for such blankets and rugs only in strict accordance with the rules.

Is it machine washable?

Before answering this question, let’s clarify what product we are talking about. Depending on the method of making blankets made from natural wool, there are:

Quilted. In this case, a layer of woolen fabric is placed in a fabric cover and stitches are laid along it at a certain distance. Quilting in the form of squares or diamonds is most often used, but other more complex patterns can also be used. Thanks to the technology, the fibers do not move during operation and do not bunch up. This wool blanket can be washed in a washing machine.
Solid woven. In this case, the blanket or blanket is a homogeneous fabric. You can decide on the best way to wash it only after carefully reading the information on the label. As a rule, explanations are given in the form of symbols indicating the temperature of the water and the use of detergents. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the composition of the fibers from which the blanket is made: the presence of synthetic or artificial threads is possible. If the base is only 100% wool, then the product can be washed by hand.
Fur. These voluminous and fluffy blankets and throws are made by weaving fibers into a solid woven base. They look beautiful, but do not tolerate wet processing. They should be dry cleaned, and if this is not possible, dry washed at home. How to do this correctly is a little below.

Having decided on the type of product and the composition of the fibers from which it is made, we proceed directly to the washing process. There are several methods for this.

How to dry properly

Are you planning to wash your blanket? First prepare it properly:

First, look at the manufacturer's tag. It says whether you can wash your camel hair blanket one way or another or not.
We check the fabric for integrity. Even a small hole can release the filler, which can cause the washer to break down and the blanket itself to be damaged.
We treat and remove contaminated areas before washing.
We prepare a liquid mixture for washing, for example, a good liquid powder. It is quickly washed out of the fabric. It can be used for hand and machine wash.
We decide on time and mode. This is important if we use a washing machine. The delicate mode works well. And without spinning and drying!

Regardless of how the camel wool blanket is washed, by hand or in the washing machine, it is important to dry it properly, otherwise all the work will be in vain.

Leaving the product in the bathroom or washing machine is a bad option. The result of such irresponsibility is the active proliferation of bacteria, the appearance of mold and bad odors.

Drying rules are simple, but very important:

Do not fold the blanket in half, third, etc. We don’t fold it at all!
We dry only in a straightened form until the very end of the process.
Dry only in a well-ventilated area. Remember that wool itself takes a long time to dry, and in the absence of good ventilation, this process will be significantly delayed. The best option is to dry the product in the warm season.
Dry the blanket only in a horizontal position. No ropes, fences or anything like that! We lay out the product outside, you can use a balcony or loggia. If there are areas of deflection, the wool will quickly mat there and marks will remain. The drying surface must be flat!
During the drying process, shake and turn the blanket over from time to time. This will protect the product from dust and unpleasant odors.
If the whole process is carried out during the cold season, in winter, it is better to place a heater, but not next to the blanket!
Under no circumstances should we place the product on any heating appliances!

This cannot be done in a washing machine. Place the blanket on a flat, horizontal surface at room temperature. Too warm air will dry out the fibers, so do not leave the item near a radiator or directly under the sun.

Don't let the blanket dry unevenly or leave the inside damp. As a result, it may become moldy and fungus will begin to develop. To avoid this, turn the product over periodically.

You cannot dry it vertically, because this way the wet fibers will stretch and the item will become deformed.

Machine washable

First you need to compare the volume of the machine drum with the dimensions of the blanket or blanket. In dry form, the product occupies no more than 2/3 of it. A machine designed for 6-7 kg of laundry is better suited.

In addition, there are rules explaining how to properly machine wash a blanket made of natural sheep wool:

the water temperature should not exceed 300C, select the mode for wool or delicate linen;
Do not use powdered products that may remain between the villi. The best liquids for wool will be those containing lanolin;
You cannot wring out a blanket or rug, so the corresponding mode must be turned off;
To thoroughly remove the detergent, it is recommended to rinse twice.

After finishing washing, the product should be left in the drum for a while so that the water can drain. You can also transfer it to a large bowl and leave it for 1-2 hours, turning it over several times.

When rinsing a wool blanket or blanket, do not add conditioner as it can cause the lint to stick together. It is better to pour 2 tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice into the rinsing compartment, which will add brightness to the product.

Useful tips and tricks

Important:

Check the blanket for damage.
Treat individual stains with a chlorine-free product.
Remove dust using a vacuum cleaner.
Place a blanket rolled into the machine.
Check how much volume of the drum the blanket occupies - there should be free space left.
To prevent unpleasant odors from emanating from the item, you should dry it in a room with good air circulation.
Weigh the product - it should not exceed the permissible weight specified in the characteristics of the washing machine.
Only by following these recommendations will you be able to achieve the desired result.

Handwash

How to wash a full-woven blanket or blanket made of sheep's wool? Unfortunately, even with a gentle machine operation, such products lose their shape and “go astray.” The only acceptable option is hand washing.

At home, this can be done in the bathroom, where the entire blanket fits. In this case, you must strictly adhere to the following recommendations:

the product must be completely immersed in water, the temperature of which cannot exceed 25-300C;
instead of detergents, it is preferable to use shampoo, which must be thoroughly foamed;
in order for the dirt to be better removed, it is advisable to let the blanket soak for 1-2 hours;
When washing, a wool blanket should not be rubbed, twisted or wrung out too much, as this can damage the fibers;
you need to rinse until the water is clean, free of foam;
After finishing washing, the blanket or blanket should be left at the bottom of the bath to drain the water, turning it over periodically.

Washing a double wool blanket by hand is beyond the power of one person. Therefore, this should be done with an assistant or resort to dry cleaning services.

Common Mistakes

Dry in direct sunlight after washing by hand or in the washing machine. Delicate wool requires a more delicate approach, otherwise it will lose its properties, and the blanket will change shape and color.
Use brushes or hang dry. Cleaning/washing should be gentle, and aggressive influences such as friction or creases should not be allowed.
Use regular washing powders. Small particles easily damage fragile wool fibers. Moreover, it is very difficult to completely rinse the powder, especially since you need to rinse delicately. Powder residues destroy the fabric and cause allergies.
Wash your camel blanket frequently. Washing should be used only when necessary, as little as possible. It is best to turn to alternative cleaning methods or take the product to the dry cleaner.
Use bleaches and color fixers. We do not need such an aggressive effect on fragile wool.

Drying a blanket after washing

Even an item washed according to all the rules can lose its shape and become matted if the drying conditions are not followed. Experts advise doing this as follows:

after almost all the water has left the product, it is laid out on a horizontal surface, carefully straightened;
to quickly absorb the remaining moisture, you can place a terry sheet or several towels under the bottom;
if the product has slightly lost its shape, you should stretch it a little and put some weights on the corners;
After no less than 3-4 hours, the blanket can be hung on a rope, preferably without bending it, so that it is better blown by the wind.

It is strictly forbidden to dry items made from natural wool in bright sun or near heating appliances. This is fraught with violation of the integrity of the fibers and loss of strength.

Cleaning a sheep's wool blanket

Since woolen blankets and rugs are bulky items, which, moreover, when wet, acquire considerable weight, washing turns into a complex process. Therefore, if not the entire canvas is dirty, but certain places, it makes sense to resort to dry cleaning.

Fresh stains can be removed with a sponge soaked in soapy water. To prepare, foam a little shampoo in 1 liter of water and add 1 tbsp. a spoonful of borax (sold in pharmacies).
If the dirt is deeply ingrained, turpentine will help. It is added to the same soap solution in the amount of 30 g per 1 liter of water.
You only need to apply foam to the blanket. It is better to do this with a sponge or soft brush.
After the stain has disappeared, the remaining product is removed with a damp cloth, and the product itself is shaken vigorously to straighten the lint.
Dry the blanket in the open air, protecting it from direct exposure to ultraviolet rays.

By following these simple rules, you can wash a rug or blanket made of natural wool without resorting to dry cleaning. Timely removal of contaminants will preserve the beauty of the products and extend their service life.

Preparatory work

If you decide to wash your blanket yourself at home, you need to consider some rules and do a little preparation.

What not to do

These tips will help you save your product.

When washing in a machine, it is strictly undesirable to use balls that help clean things. In this case, they will only do harm.
It is also not recommended to wash items containing 100% wool. It would be better to use dry cleaning.
The product must not have holes. You need to sew up all the holes in advance, otherwise they will increase in the process.
The blanket should fill no more than 75% of the volume of the washing machine drum, taking into account the fact that it will become saturated with water and become heavier. Otherwise, you will ruin both the machine and the thing itself.
Small individual stains can be removed before washing. You can even do this with a sponge and dishwashing detergent. But usually the method of spot removal depends on the type of stain itself. If you skip this step, the dirt may become even stronger.

The choice of washing substance should be treated with special attention. For wool products, you cannot use ordinary powders or gels. Only specialized ones are suitable, which will have a gentle effect and will not destroy the fibers with numerous washes.

Almost all companies that produce detergents offer those intended for wool. Here are some of the best:

“Weasel.” It is made in the form of a gel, after washing it is completely washed off and leaves no traces. Can be used for both hand and machine washing;
Wool Care from Miele. Suitable for the most delicate woolen products, protects the material from pilling. The liquid product is effective even at low temperatures;
“Villus.” Helps maintain the shape of the blanket, does not stretch it and prevents the appearance of pilling;
AlmaWin. Organic product made from natural materials. Helps remove even the most stubborn stains that cannot be cleaned by hand. Does not damage fibers and is gentle on fabrics. Has many good reviews from customers.