How to wash a sheepskin blanket in the washing machine

With proper care of the blanket and regular washing of the duvet cover, the need to wash the entire wool blanket may not arise. But if it smells damp or has serious dirt on it, then it definitely needs to be refreshed. However, the question arises, how to wash a sheep's wool blanket, is it possible to do this using a washing machine? Let's try to figure it out.

To wash or not to wash?

As it is used, dust settles on this bedding and human sweat is absorbed into the blanket, so sooner or later the wool product will need to be washed. All such blankets look different, all because they are made using different technologies. And the ability of the blanket to withstand washing will depend on what processing and sewing method was used.

The following types of blankets are made from sheep wool:

• quilted - in such blankets, a wool canvas is placed in a fabric cover, and then stitched with a special stitch over the entire surface of the blanket. This method of sewing prevents the wool from bunching up. Therefore, manufacturers allow washing not only by hand, but also in a machine;
• whole-woven blankets are blankets that are a single piece of fabric that is quite durable, but not thick. It is recommended to clean whole-woven blankets and, in extreme cases, wash them by hand;
  
• fur blankets are those in which sheep wool fibers are attached to one or both sides of the fabric, which makes it voluminous and attractively fluffy. It is prohibited to wash such blankets, but you can dry clean them.

Important! To be sure whether a sheepskin blanket can or cannot be washed, read the label. In addition to washing information, you will also find out whether the blanket can be spun, dried or bleached.

Washing rules

You can wash a blanket made of wool either by hand or in an automatic washing machine. If automatic washing is acceptable, then check that the blanket fits freely in the drum of your washing machine. If it is difficult to fit into the machine, then it is better to refuse such washing, so as not to overload the equipment. For best washing results, the machine must have a load of at least 6 kg. And even in this case, it is worth checking whether a double blanket will fit into it.

So, to wash this bedding in an automatic washing machine, you need to:

1. load blanket;
2. pour gel into the cuvette, designed specifically for washing woolen items;
3. select the washing program called “Wool”, making sure that the machine does not heat the water more than 30 degrees;
4. turn off the spin;
5. start the wash.

Note! If the blanket is large, then it is necessary to turn off the spin cycle, since a wet blanket is too heavy, overload or imbalance may occur, and the machine will not spin it.

After stopping the washing machine, you can let the blanket lie in the drum for a few minutes so that some of the water drains into the tank. Then take it out, straighten it and hang it to dry, turning it over during the drying process. It is best to dry outside in the shade, so that direct sunlight does not hit the product.

If machine washing is prohibited, the blanket must be washed by hand.They do this procedure in the bathroom, taking in a lot of cool water, since a wool blanket absorbs a lot of water, unlike holofiber blankets. Hand washing consists of the following:

• dissolve a special product or regular shampoo in water, whisking the product well into a foam;
• immerse the product in water and leave it for several minutes;
• then they turn it over, carefully lift it and lower it so that dirt and dust come out of the product into the water, but you should not rub the blanket, otherwise it will lose its shape;
• Then the product is rinsed, changing the water several times;
• drain the water from the bath and allow the water to flow out of the woolen product. In this case, the item should not be squeezed, crushed or twisted too much;
• then lay it out to dry in a horizontal position and let it dry; when the blanket stops dripping, you can hang it on a rope.

Note that this procedure requires physical effort; lifting a wet blanket is not so easy, and hanging it up is even more difficult. You can save yourself from this work if you take it to the dry cleaner. There it will be washed and dried without spoiling its appearance.

Cleaning

In some cases, professional dry cleaning can be replaced by cleaning at home. Unlike a full wash, it is easier to carry out. To do this, you need to purchase a gel that contains lanolin. Clean the blanket like this:

1. foam the detergent into a thick foam in a small amount of water;
2. apply foam to contaminated areas;
3. after a couple of minutes, remove the foam clouds with a clean cloth or sponge;
4. dry the blanket in the fresh air.

This procedure will remove stench and dirt. Of course, if you accidentally spill a mug of coffee, you won’t be able to remove the stain, but you can refresh the blanket in this way.

Facilities

To wash such a blanket, you can only use special products. They usually contain lanolin, a substance that preserves the structure of wool fibers. Here are some popular remedies:

• Henkel Wool Caress is a wool washing liquid that keeps wool soft and airy and is easy to rinse.
• Wool Care from Miele is a balm for washing woolen items from a well-known manufacturer of washing machines. It prevents wool fibers from pilling and is effective for washing in cold water.
• Vorsinka is an inexpensive liquid product made in Russia, suitable for hand washing, as well as washing in an automatic machine.
• AlmaWin is a concentrated plant-based product. It is suitable not only for washing a wool blanket, but also for delicate clothes.
• Domal – washing balm with lanolin.

Summarize

To conclude the instructions for washing a sheep's wool blanket, we will formulate a few rules that you need to remember when caring for your favorite blanket.

• It is necessary to use a duvet cover for the duvet, change it and wash it regularly.
• Protect the blanket from getting dirty, so you will wash the blanket very rarely, which will prolong its life.
• Wash woolen items only with special liquid products and shampoos, preferably with the addition of lanolin.
• You should not iron a wool blanket, it is not necessary.
• It is not recommended to spin such an item in a washing machine or centrifuge.
• Ventilate the blanket in the fresh air more often.
• Do not dry the blanket on a radiator, heater, or under the scorching sun.
• Do not hang a wet blanket on the line until the water has completely drained from it. Otherwise it will stretch out a lot.
• Wash wool blankets only in water 30⁰C, it is better to wash it in cold water than in hot water. Wool shrinks in hot water.
• When washing such a thing in the washing machine, you need to roll it into a tube, so it will fit better into the drum.
• Do not overload the machine with the spin cycle; it is better to turn it off.
• It is best to wash blankets and other woolen items in clear, dry weather so that the items dry faster.

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