Can I use a new blanket without washing?

Author: Pedro Nitzsche  |  Last update: Thursday, July 24, 2025

Like new sheets, you should wash other bedding—like new pillows, quilts, comforters, or blankets—before using it for the first time. Washing these items before using them helps to rid them of lingering dust or dirt from the factory or from the packaging.

Should I wash a new blanket before using it?

Yes, always wash clothing and linens before use. Manufacturers use a fabric finish that is loaded with chemicals. These chemicals are not healthy for humans or animals.

Can you use a blanket without washing it first?

There might be bedbugs, mites, dust & dirt on the bedding. So it's always best to wash your bedding before you place it on your bed. Read the tag for care instructions. In my experience comforters hold up best when washed in cold water.

Is it okay to use new bedding without washing?

Yes, it's a good idea to wash bedsheets before using them for the first time. New sheets can have residues from manufacturing, packaging, or shipping that may include dust, chemicals, or allergens. Washing them helps remove these substances and ensures they are clean and fresh for your use.

What happens if I don't wash my blanket?

Blankets are an essential layering piece in many spaces but they often go unwashed, leading to a build-up of invisible bacteria. Although we may often forget them when doing laundry, washing your blankets regularly is just as important as washing your bed sheets if you want to keep a hygienic home free of allergens.

5 Effective Ways to Remove Smells from a Blanket Without Washing #lifehacks #tutorialshowroom

How long can you go without washing a blanket?

How Often To Wash Blankets. Blankets on bed: Roland says that blankets that are between sheets and don't come in direct contact with your body can be washed monthly, while large comforters and duvet covers should be washed at least every two weeks.

How do you freshen blankets without washing them?

How can you get rid of that musty smell in old clothing and blankets without washing them first? Hang them outside in the sun and brisk breeze (hopefully not too strong). They will refresh naturally. If 1 day isn't sufficient, go for more - or toss in a cool dryer with a dryer sheet or two for a bit.

Is it bad to not wash a new comforter?

Even though comforters may not rub up against your skin at night, they should still be washed first to remove their straight-out-of-the-package stiffness. By washing off any lingering chemicals or residues, you can safely lay on the comforter without any concern.

Should you wash a comforter when you first buy it?

Always wash a comforter when you first buy it. "While it may not be visible, traces of chemicals may sometimes be left over from the manufacturing process," says Morgan LaLonde, brand manager of laundry for Whirlpool.

What happens if you don't wash your bedding for months?

All those dead cells pile up on your sheets in between washings. Tiny dust mites love to feed on the shed cells. The critters and their droppings can trigger allergies, asthma, and cause your itchy eczema to flare.

How do you wash a blanket for the first time?

You can wash most blankets weighing up to 20 pounds in your household washing machine on a gentle cycle with cold water and a mild detergent. Avoid using bleach, which can damage the blanket's fibers over time, and fabric softeners, which may create a buildup that gives your blanket a scratchy feel.

Why wash before first use?

One is to remove or diminish the chemical finishes that manufacturers put on clothes to make them look better, and the other is to rinse out excess dye. Finishes won't bother everyone who puts on a new pair of pants, but there are some people with sensitive skin who could develop a rash.

Should you wash blankets before storing them?

But even if they're not in use, it's important to store clean bedding for sanitary reasons. Storing freshly washed bed linens and blankets helps prevent damage to the fabric while they sit in storage, mold and mildew growth, and even unwanted odors.

Should I wash a throw blanket before using it?

So washing a new cotton or linen blanket in cold water before using it and then drying it on low heat should reduce the amount of shrinkage later on, if you need to use hot water. I do this at least once (and sometimes two or three times) before I use any new blanket, in case I need to disinfect it after testing.

Should I wash new baby blankets before use?

According to experts, it is a good idea to pre-wash any baby clothes you buy ahead of baby's arrival. “Infants tend to be sensitive,” says Soniya Mehra, MD, a pediatrician at Bayside Medical Group at Stanford Medicine Children's Health.

Should you wash a blanket before gifting it?

It's a good idea to carefully wash any crochet blanket or garment before giving it as a gift or before use to ensure it is colorfast and will not bleed dye.

Should I wash a new blanket before I use it?

Like new sheets, you should wash other bedding—like new pillows, quilts, comforters, or blankets—before using it for the first time. Washing these items before using them helps to rid them of lingering dust or dirt from the factory or from the packaging.

Can I use new bedding without washing?

While it might be tempting to put your new sheets straight on the bed, it's advised you wash them before you use them. New sheets can often harbour unwelcome particles like dust and dirt and may feel stiff, scratchy, and starched.

What to do when you first get a down comforter?

Fluff Your Comforter Before Use

Your comforter may look flat when you first receive it, right after washing, or after a season in storage. This is normal, so don't fret. Simply fluff your comforter by hand or in the dryer to restore loft, air it out a bit, then top your bed for a fresh, cloudlike look.

Can you clean a comforter without washing it?

Finally, you can a fabric refresh spray, or learn how to make DIY linen spray. 'Spraying the comforter with a fabric refresh spray can instantly revive its freshness,' says cleaning expert Toner. 'Look for sprays with antibacterial properties, which work well to neutralize odors instead of masking them. '

How often should a blanket be washed?

The wash schedule of your blankets depends on how often you use them and whether they have come into contact with spills, crumbs and sweat. You should wash blankets that come into direct contact with skin at least 1–2 times a month, but preferably around once a week.

Should you wash new comforter before using reddit?

You should always wash new bedding before sleeping on them. The chemicals used in manufacturing can cause contact dermatitis...

How to sanitize bedding without washing?

How to Keep Your Sheets Fresh Without Putting Them in the Wash
  1. Pull your duvet and top sheet back. ...
  2. Hang them out. ...
  3. Tumble dry + dryer sheet. ...
  4. Spray with linen spray. ...
  5. Sprinkle with baking soda. ...
  6. Shower at night.

How to remove chemical smell from a new blanket?

Vinegar Solution: Mix one part white vinegar to three parts water and lightly spray the affected areas. Let it air dry before washing.

How often should you wash your sheets?

"Regular washing, or about once every one to two weeks, is recommended to maintain cleanliness and a healthy sleep environment," says Harris. Once a week if you don't use a top sheet. Once a month if you do. Once a week if you don't use a top sheet.

Previous article
Where to position a fan in a room?
Next article
Does every plumbing fixture need a trap?