How often do we really need to wash our throw blankets? Answer: Every two weeks, to be safe. “The average person will need to clean their throws at least once a month,” Mahdessian explains. “But of course, your level of cleanliness also makes a difference.
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.
How Often Should I Wash My Throw Blankets? On average, you should aim to wash your throw blankets about once a month. But if your throw blankets frequently come into contact with food or pets, you might want to do it more frequently. (Once every two weeks should do it!)
Instead, wash your soft blanket alone and set your washer's dial on the delicate/gentle cycle in cold water. Add in fabric conditioners or detergents that promote a soft wash and you're good to go!
First things first: Wash and dry your fleece blanket before use. Although we try to remove loose fibers by cleaning and vacuuming your blanket before shipping, some loose fibers can remain on the blanket. This is just the nature of fleece fabric in general; so give it a quick wash and dry before you get too cozy.
“Stick with a cold (or slightly warm) wash on a short, delicate cycle and don't over-do it with detergent or softener, because too much can break down your blanket faster.” For delicate fabrics or designs like loosely woven cable knits or throws with lace trim, Mahdessian also suggests washing it inside a large net ...
Once a season, wash your fleece and cotton throw blankets separately on a gentle cycle in cold water. Garlough recommends line drying them or using a no-heat setting on your dryer to keep them from shrinking. Curtains aren't something we interact with frequently, so you might think they don't need to be cleaned.
Most people should wash their sheets once per week. If you don't sleep on your mattress every day, you may be able to stretch this to once every two weeks or so. Some people should wash their sheets even more often than once a week.
Run a gentle cycle: 'Nearly all modern electric blankets can be washed in your washing machine, but most manufacturers do not recommend a full wash cycle,' continues Nick Woodward. 'Most blankets only need a few minutes' wash on your washer's “delicate” or “gentle” cycle. Followed by a brief rinse and spin cycle.
How Frequently Should Pillows Be Washed? The consensus among experts seems to be that the average person should throw their pillow in the washing machine two to three times per year (so about once every four to six months).
Fortunately, in most cases, the answer is “yes.” Although older electric blankets may need to be washed by hand, most new models can be washed right in the washing machine! To keep your electric blanket fresh and in working condition, it's important to take extra care when washing.
Machine Washing & Drying
If you're dealing with more than a stain or your electric blanket is just due for a clean, you can put it in the washer and dryer. Just use short times and the coolest possible settings to make sure the wires are not damaged during the process.
Can you put an electric blanket in the dryer? Yes, you can! Just be sure to set the dryer to a low heat setting and set a timer for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, take the blanket out to hang dry on a drying rack or clothesline.
“Washing once a week is best,” says lifestyle expert Cheryl Nelson. “But definitely wash sheets AT LEAST once every two weeks. That's the maximum amount of time you should go.
As a general rule, launder your bath towel (or swap in a clean one) at least once a week and your washcloth a couple times a week. Wash towels more frequently if you're sick to avoid reinfection.
Many doctors say a daily shower is fine for most people. (More than that could start to cause skin problems.) But for many people, two to three times a week is enough and may be even better to maintain good health. It depends in part on your lifestyle.
Typically, hotels wash their linens once a week. That includes sheets, pillowcases, and all kinds of comforters. However, they usually change sheets and pillowcases between guests. Ritz Carlson, the Peninsula, and the Four Seasons chain say they change all bed linen and covers between guests.
If you're someone who makes their bed first thing in the a.m. without letting your sheets air out (or you don't shower every night before bed), then it's best to change them a little more often—every seven to 10 days, suggests Tetro.
Towels are lint producers. The lint they give off sticks to other types of clothing. You can wash towels with blankets, sheets, and robes as long as everything is colorfast.
The time it takes to dry a blanket depends on the material it's made of. Most will take anywhere from one to three hours in the dryer on low heat, depending on how big the blanket is. For some blankets, like wool ones, you may need to air dry them, which (depending on the climate) can take up to 24 hours.
We recommend a gentle cycle with cool or lukewarm water. Set the spin to the lowest setting to avoid damage to the internal components of the blanket. Add a mild detergent, without any bleach or fabric softener. Let the machine wash it for two minutes, before stopping the machine immediately.
New electric blankets are a minimal safety risk, but old, damaged, or improperly used electric blankets can pose a risk for fire or burns. Electric blankets can be a factor in overheating for pregnant women, and many health organizations recommend discontinuing use during pregnancy.
So, it's best to wash the blankets in a front-loader washing machine (not one with an agitator in the middle) and use regular laundry detergent. Hang to dry -- do not put in the dryer.
All of our electric blankets come with a detachable control enabling them to be washed and tumble dried. You simply detach the cord and place the blanket in the washing machine. Please refer to the satin label for the maximum temperature that they can be washed at.