A wool blanket can be warm, soft and beautiful for years. But washing it incorrectly can change its texture and size quickly. Wool fibers are sensitive to heat, friction and rough handling, therefore normal laundry procedures are not always appropriate.
If you are thinking of how to hand wash a wool blanket at home without damaging it, hand washing is one of the safest ways. It allows you to have more control over the water temperature, detergent and the movement of the fabric.
Why Wool Blankets Require Gentle Washing
Wool is a natural fiber. It has fewer scales on its surface. Extreme heat, agitation, or extreme changes in temperature can cause the fibers to feel and shrink. This can cause the blanket to shrink, feel stiff or change in the original form.
So the simple way to take good care of wool fabrics is threefold: gentle temperatures, gentle movement and slow drying. Wool blankets do not need to be washed as often as cotton or synthetic blankets. Spot cleaning, brushing and airing it out regularly will keep it fresh between deep-down cleanings.
What You Need Before Washing
If you prepare everything in advance it makes things easier and saves unnecessary handling. You will need a clean bathtub, large washbasin or basin, cool or lukewarm water, a mild wool safe detergent and several clean towels.
Avoid Bleach, heavy duty laundry detergents, and strong stain removers and fabric softeners. These products can be too harsh on natural wool fibers. The idea is to safely clean a woolen blanket, not treat it like regular bedding that can go in the washing machine.
Step 1: Shake and Inspect the Blanket
Take the blanket out and gently shake it to remove the dust. A simple shake is usually enough. Inspect the surface for stains and heavily soiled areas. Treating these spots before washing the entire blanket may improve the final result and prevent you from rubbing the fabric later.
Step 2: Use Spot Cleaning for Small Stains
For small marks and spot cleaning is often more effective and prevents the need for a full wash. Combine a small amount of wool detergent with cool water. Work from the outside of the stain inward to prevent spreading.
Do not scrub, brush or scrub aggressively. Wool fibers can become fuzzy or felted with friction. After treating the area, use another damp cloth to blot up any detergent residue.
Step 3: Fill the Tub With Cool Water
Fill a clean bathtub or a basin with cool or warm water to cover the blanket comfortably. Never use warm water. One of the biggest dangers when trying to wash a wool blanket without shrinking it is heat. Wool does not like any sudden temperature changes so keep the water evenly cool or lukewarm during the process.
Add a small amount of wool-specific detergent, agitate gently in the water, then add the blanket. More detergent doesn’t equal better cleaning. Thick wool fabric can be difficult to rinse out excess soap.
Step 4: Submerge the Blanket Gently
Slowly lower the blanket in the water. Press down on it with your hands until it is well soaked. Do not twist, knead or scrub the material. Press softly to move the water gently thru the blanket. Allow the blanket to soak for 10 to 20 minutes unless otherwise specified on the care label or detergent instructions. The detergent and water will do most of the cleaning without needing aggressive movement.
Step 5: Drain the Dirty Water
When soaking is completed, carefully drain the water from the tub or basin. Do not lift the heavy wet blanket right away. Wet wool can feel surprisingly heavy and if you lift it from one end it can stretch the fibers. If you have to move the blanket, support it evenly. Press the fabric gently to the bottom side of the tub to remove some water. Do not wring or wring out.
Step 6: Rinse Carefully
Refill the tub with cool water, about the same temperature as the wash water. Gently work clean water through the blanket. Drain and repeat as necessary to remove most of the detergent residue. Some modern wool detergents are designed as no-rinse detergents. If you use one, follow its instructions rather than rinsing automatically. When you are looking after wool fabrics, you should keep the temperature of the water the same, as any change in temperature may cause shrinkage.
Step 7: Remove Excess Water Without Wringing
When you wash the blanket it will hold a lot of water. Instead of twisting the blanket, press out as much moisture as you can while it is still supported. Spread the blanket on clean towels. Roll the blanket and towels up together carefully, and press the roll, to get the moisture from the wool into the towels. You may have to repeat this process with dry towels. This technique helps the blanket retain its shape and dramatically speeds up drying time.
Step 8: Dry the Wool Blanket Flat
Flat drying is in general the safest way of drying. Lay the wet blanket out on a large, clean, dry, well-ventilated surface. If a drying rack offers sufficient support and does not allow large sections of the blanket to hang down, it can do the job. While it’s still wet, reshape the blanket gently.
Do not hang a soaking wet wool blanket on a clothesline, the weight can stretch the material. Avoid radiators, fires, stoves, strong sunlight and other sources of direct heat. Do not put the blanket in a tumble dryer unless the care label states it may be machine dried.
Essential Wool Blanket Care Tips
Generally the less you wash a wool blanket the cleaner it stays. Air the blanket in a dry, well-ventilated area after use. Fresh air can help to reduce odors and moisture naturally.
Handle spills immediately and do not let stains dry. Quick spot cleaning often keeps small accidents from becoming permanent marks.
Be sure that the blanket is clean and dry. Be sure to fold it gently and not crush it for long periods of time. Keep wool in a cool, dry place, out of the reach of moisture. These basic wool blanket care tips will reduce wear and allow the fabric to retain its natural softness.
How Often Should You Wash a Wool Blanket?
Unless it gets very dirty, there is no need to wash a wool blanket every few weeks. Because wool naturally handles moisture and odors well, occasional airing may be sufficient in normal use. If you see visible dirt, stubborn odors, multiple stains or if the blanket has been heavily used during a season, consider a deeper wash. The more times you wash the fibers, the more water and movement they are exposed to so only clean when needed to extend the life of the blanket.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to hand wash wool blankets is mostly about avoiding the conditions that damage natural wool fibers. Wash in cool water, using a gentle wool detergent, very gently and with lots of support while wet. For small spots, try spot cleaning instead of washing the whole blanket. For a full wash, soak gently, rinse carefully, remove moisture without wringing, and allow the blanket to dry flat.
