Updated at: 02-08-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Crochet blankets, especially hand-made ones, are lovely additions to any house. Throws, bedspreads, and even wall hangings can all be made out of them. They do, however, necessitate particular attention, particularly when it comes to washing. If you don’t take care of them, they’ll lose their appeal.

The right way to wash a crochet blanket will be explained in this post so that you can preserve its beauty for years to come. Of course, you can use these suggestions on any other crocheted objects you have!

How Often to Clean Crocheted Blankets and Clothing

Unless you have animals or a filthy family, most crochet blankets only need to be washed once or twice a season. If you don’t wear your crocheted garments regularly, you may be able to get away with without washing them after each use, especially if they’re a sweater or a poncho.

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • a sink, a tub, or a bucket
  • In-home wringer dryer (optional)
  • Tumbler (optional)

Materials

  • Laundry detergent with a low pH level
  • Towels
  • Tablecloths made of thick plastic or vinyl (optional)

Instructions

How Often Should You Wash a Crochet Blanket?

The frequency of use, the fabric, and the amount of filth and dust that have accumulated on it all play a role in how long it will last.

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Every three to four months, crocheted blankets are laundered in the washing machine. Because crochet blankets are so absorbent, they may need to be washed more frequently whether they are used as a bedspread or as an accent piece in your favorite reading chair.

To be fair, this wouldn’t be an issue were it possible to safely wash a crocheted blanket in the washing machine. Simple. Check the material of the blanket.

What Is Your Crochet Blanket Made of?

You’ll need to wash your blanket based on the sort of yarn and fabric it is made of. Cleaning a delicate cotton thread crochet blanket versus a wool crochet blanket, for example, will require different cleaning techniques.

The washing machine is usually all that is needed to clean a crocheted blanket made of synthetic materials. Most blankets made from natural fibers, on the other hand, necessitate specialized care. It’s for this reason that the laundry symbols printed on the label should be carefully analyzed.

Read the Care Instructions

It’s time to read the care instructions now that you know what kind of material it is. These are located on the blanket’s tag, which is sewed into the corner.

If you’ve received your blanket as a gift, the manufacturer’s website should provide instructions on how to care for it.

Care Instructions for Crochet Items

Hand wash untreated wool, alpaca, mohair, and silk in cool water (less than 86°F) and spread it out to dry on a level surface. To avoid shrinkage, wash wool in cold water and dry in a cool setting.

Make sure the detergent has dissolved completely before putting the blanket in a basin, and don’t rub it.

You may wash cotton, linen, and ramie with your washing machine. Put it in cold water and spread it out to dry on the moderate cycle.

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Cotton, linen, and ramie are natural fibers that become stronger when wet. It’s better to avoid using hot water or a dryer, as they can shrink when exposed to heat. Instead, use iced water.

When washing a multi-colored blanket, wash it in cold water with the same color yarns and thoroughly rinse the blanket.

Compared to other types of wool, merino is a lot tougher to work with. Find yarns marked “superwash” or with comparable care recommendations, and you’ll be on the right track. This implies that it may be washed and dried in the machine without destroying the fibers.

Crochet blankets that have been treated can be washed and dried in the machine, but only on the gentle cycle. Wool that has undergone a chemical treatment process to increase its felting resistance is known as treated wool.

A suitable wool-safe detergent (one that contains lanolin) is also recommended. Beads and sequins require hand washing if your blanket has them.

Synthetic fibers, such as acrylic, polyester, and plastic, can be washed and dried in the dryer. However, with time, their radiance will fade and they will begin to appear drab. This can be avoided by washing them on a moderate cycle in lukewarm water and drying them flat.

Using a fabric softener sheet in the laundry can help reduce lint in your crochet blanket.

How to Wash Crochet Blankets by Hand

With ordinary wool or if you’re not sure what your blanket is composed of, hand washing is always preferable to machine washing. Let’s have a look at the procedure.

  • A bucket or sink filled with chilled tap water can be used. Your blanket’s fibers can be damaged by using hot water.
  • A little detergent or baby shampoo can be added and stirred for about five minutes.
  • Allow the blanket to soak in the detergent for 15–30 minutes before removing from the washer. If you’re going to use fabric softener or bleach, leave it out. The fibers will become less absorbent due to the softener’s coating.
  • Circular motions are best for rubbing the soap into the fabric.
  • Once the suds have been gone, rinse the blanket well under cool water.
  • Squeeze as much water out of your skin as you can. You can do this by laying your blanket on a few dry towels. Soak up as much moisture as you can by rolling and pressing the towels.
  • The towels should be unrolled, and the blanket should be placed in a dry location to allow for air drying. You should avoid drying it in the dryer since it will shrink and lose its shape.

How to Machine Wash a Crochet Blanket

Machine washing symbols are indicated on the care label. The following are some guidelines for washing a machine-washable blanket:

  1. Before you put your blanket in the washing machine, place it in a laundry bag.
  2. Wash it alongside other delicate and color-coordinated items, but don’t overcrowd the washer.
  3. Use only a quarter of a cup of liquid dish soap. Yarn can be damaged by excessive detergent use. No harsh chemicals, including fabric softeners, should be used.
  4. Alternate between a gentle spin speed of 600–800 revolutions per minute and the delicate cycle (cold water).
  5. The longer the cycle, the more likely it is to ruin your blanket.

If you want to include your crochet blanket in your collection of the best throw blankets, choose a material that can be washed in the washing machine.

Use a mild detergent and lukewarm water to wash your blanket as soon as it becomes dirty. Remove the discoloration by blotting it with a clean cloth. Don’t use harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubs to remove stains.

After-Cleaning Care

Crochet care recommendations go beyond simple cleaning. Doing these things will help them last longer and keep their quality intact.

Fluff the Blanket

Before fluffing your crochet blanket, it should be washed and dried. To separate the strands, use a brushes or shake it out.

Storage

You should store your blanket in a dry and cold location, like a closet or a drawer, whether you live in a humid region or not. If you like, you can hang it from a clothesline, too.

Additional care tips:

  • The blanket should be folded rather than hung up. Keep the blanket from stretching out of shape by doing this
  • To avoid creases and wrinkles when traveling with a crocheted blanket, roll it up securely.

FAQ

Can crochet blankets be machine washed?

For the most part, crochet blankets can be machine cleaned. Use a gentle cycle and a moderate temperature setting to minimize wear and tear.

Do not use harsh chemicals such as bleach or fabric softener. To avoid breaking the fibers, don’t overfill the washer or dryer and remove the blanket as soon as it is dry.

Can you put yarn in the dryer?

Yarn can be dried, but only on a low heat setting, and you must remove it immediately once the drying process is complete. The fibers in your blanket can be damaged if you dry it too much.

However, keep in mind that the outcome is dependent on the material used. The best way to dry a wool blanket is to let it air dry rather than use a dryer.

You can, however, dry it in a low-heat setting if you are using synthetic fibers like acrylic. Be careful, as synthetic fibers can melt if they get too heated.

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Can I use fabric softener on the crochet blanket?

Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations if you decide to use fabric softener on your crocheted blanket. A little part should be tested to check whether there is an adverse reaction if you have chopped them off.

Avoid using too much fabric softener, since this might lead to the blanket becoming rigid. If you do use fabric softener, be sure to properly rinse it off afterward to remove any residue.

How do you dry crochet clothes?

Your crochet blanket needs to be dried correctly after it has been washed to avoid shrinkage and damage. Crochet blankets can be dried by laying them flat on a clean towel and placing them in a well-ventilated room.

Use the lowest heat setting on your dryer and simply dry for a few minutes. Make sure to read the manufacturer’s directions before washing a crocheted blanket.

Conclusion

Your favorite item of decor will last a long time now that you know these recommendations. When washing blankets made of natural fibers like cotton or wool, always use cold water and a delicate cycle. As a final precaution, if you want to be extremely cautious, you should always wash your hands.