How to Wash Knitted Blankets

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Washing a knitted blanket can be a tricky affair and care needs to be taken so that your blanket doesn’t become damaged in the process. Wash more delicate yarns by hand and air dry. Hardier items can be machine washed and tumble dried. Always read the label, and above all, be gentle!

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Machine Washing Your Knitted Blanket

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  1. When washing a knitted blanket you should use a gentle detergent, especially if the blanket is made of a delicate yarn such as cotton or linen. Some knitters recommend Soak Wash or Eucalan. [1]
  2. If you keep your blanket in a mesh laundry bag while it’s in the washing machine, this will help to protect it from becoming too agitated, felting to other items or catching on anything. [2]
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  3. Knitted blankets made of synthetic material (such as polyester, acrylic and rayon) or plant fibre yarns (cotton and linen) can be safely machine washed unless they are particularly delicate. [3]
    • You can also find machine-washable wool yarns, but check the label carefully, as most wools need to be hand-washed. [4]
    • Be sure to read the label on your blanket or yarn for washing and drying instructions. A chart containing the various symbols found on yarn labels and their meanings can be found here: https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knitting-Tutorials/Yarn-Care-Symbols-infographic
    • It sometimes requires a few washes for the dye in a knitted blanket to set completely. You might like to wash your blanket without any other items for the first few washes just to be safe. You can also soak the blanket in citric acid to help the dye set. [5]
  4. While many yarns can be machine washed, they shouldn't all be treated identically. If you’re washing a knitted blanket made of plant fibre yarn such as cotton or linen, it’s best to wash it in cold water and on a gentle cycle. [6] In contrast, synthetic fibres such as acrylic can be washed as normal with your other items.
  5. Synthetic yarns, linen and some cotton yarns can be safely tumble dried. However, linens should be tumble dried on a low temperature. [7] If you’re unsure what yarn you’re using, or whether tumble drying will be safe, you can air dry your blanket instead.
    • Tumbling your knitting in a mechanical dryer can cause your knots and stitches to come undone, so it's best to lay your knit blankets flat to dry, whenever possible. [8]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Hand Washing Your Knitted Blanket

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  1. Items requiring hand washing need an especially soft touch. Pick a detergent that will be gentle on both the blanket and your hands, and one that is suited for the yarn you're working with. This will enable you to wash your blanket, without damaging its colour, texture or shape.
    • You should be able to find machine-friendly wool washes in the supermarket, as well as gentle, alcohol-free detergents. Baby shampoo is another good alternative for delicate yarns.
    • Soak Wash or Eucalan are also recommended for washing knitted items. [9]
  2. If your knitted blanket is made of animal hair yarns such as wool, alpaca and cashmere, or an unidentified yarn, it will need to be hand washed. Delicate cotton yarns should also be hand washed.
  3. Gently soak the blanket in a large bowl or sink using cold water mixed with detergent. Move it around in the bowl gently, so that the blanket absorbs the water and soap. Be careful not to press on the blanket or agitate it too much - this could stretch it out or felt it to other items.
    • Wash your knitted blanket by itself when washing it for the first time, to ensure the dye is set and it doesn’t stain any other items. If the blanket continues to bleed colour, soak it in citric acid. [11]
  4. Rinse your blanket with cold, fresh water until the garment is free of any soapy suds. Be especially careful to not wring out your knitted blanket - this can lead to stretching and felting. Instead, gently squeeze out the water once you’ve finished cleaning the blanket. [12]
  5. If you have a woollen blanket, you may like to ventilate it instead of washing it, as wool is a really delicate yarn to wash and takes a long time to dry. Simply shake your woollen blanket and hang it in an area with good airflow. [13]
  6. Animal hair yarns and delicate cotton yarns need to be air-dried. Gently remove excess water by squeezing the blanket, then roll it up in a towel to absorb leftover moisture. Remove from the towel and allow to dry. [14]
    • If your blanket is cotton lay it flat on a towel to dry. This will ensure it doesn’t stretch out or become saggy. [15]
    • If your blanket is woolen, hang it on a clothesline or horizontal clothes rack. You may also like to leave your woollen blanket in direct sunlight for a few minutes, as this helps to counteract any musty odors. However don’t leave it out any longer than this. [16]
    • You can also shape the blanket as it dries, to make sure that it dries to your liking.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you wash a knit blanket?
    Jen Webber
    Knitting Specialist
    Jen Webber is a Knitting Specialist and the Manager of The Quarter Stitch, a crafting store based in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. With over 17 years of knitting and crafting experience, Jen helps educate customers and the public on best knitting practices for their DIY projects.
    Jen Webber
    Knitting Specialist
    Expert Answer
    If you know what kind of yarn was used to make the blanket, check the label on the yarn to see how to wash it—some yarns, like acrylic, can go in the washing machine, whereas most wools need to be hand-washed. Then, lay the blanket flat to dry, because a mechanical dryer can cause knitting to come unraveled.
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      Tips

      • If you don’t have time to wash your knitted blanket properly, you can also use a spray to freshen it up. This can help to get rid of wrinkles and give it a clean smell.
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      • Use your intuition - sometimes a label will allow you to machine wash and/or tumble dry, but this could ultimately compromise the colour and shape of your knitted blanket. If in doubt, be sure to hand wash and air dry your blanket.
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      • Store your blanket in a dry place. Knitted items should only be stored once absolutely clean and dry. Store them in a dry place, such as a wooden chest or cupboard. Do not place them on a hanger as this may cause them to stretch.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knitting-Tutorials/How-to-Care-for-Knitted-Items-Washing-Blocking-Knitting
      2. ↑ https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knitting-Tutorials/How-to-Care-for-Knitted-Items-Washing-Blocking-Knitting
      3. ↑ https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knitting-Tutorials/How-to-Care-for-Knitted-Items-Washing-Blocking-Knitting
      4. ↑ Jen Webber. Knitting Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 August 2020.
      5. ↑ https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knitting-Tutorials/How-to-Care-for-Knitted-Items-Washing-Blocking-Knitting
      6. ↑ https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knitting-Tutorials/How-to-Care-for-Knitted-Items-Washing-Blocking-Knitting
      7. ↑ https://www.linenme.com/news/how-to-care-for-linen-fabric/
      8. ↑ Jen Webber. Knitting Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 August 2020.
      9. ↑ https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knitting-Tutorials/How-to-Care-for-Knitted-Items-Washing-Blocking-Knitting
      1. ↑ Jen Webber. Knitting Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 August 2020.
      2. ↑ https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knitting-Tutorials/How-to-Care-for-Knitted-Items-Washing-Blocking-Knitting
      3. ↑ https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knitting-Tutorials/How-to-Care-for-Knitted-Items-Washing-Blocking-Knitting
      4. ↑ https://www.remodelista.com/posts/expert-advice-how-to-clean-woolen-blankets-5-experts-tips-from-sharktoothnyc/
      5. ↑ https://www.remodelista.com/posts/expert-advice-how-to-clean-woolen-blankets-5-experts-tips-from-sharktoothnyc/
      6. ↑ https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knitting-Tutorials/How-to-Care-for-Knitted-Items-Washing-Blocking-Knitting
      7. ↑ https://www.remodelista.com/posts/expert-advice-how-to-clean-woolen-blankets-5-experts-tips-from-sharktoothnyc/

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