How to Wash a Fleece Blanket
Fleece can trap and retain body warmth, making it a good choice for winter blankets and couch throws. Made from 100 percent polyester, and even recycled plastic bottles, it's an easy fabric to care for as long as you don't bleach it or wash it with scratchy materials.
Things You Will Need
- Laundry detergent
- Clothesline (optional)
Tip
Remove fleece blankets from the dryer immediately and fold them or put them back on the bed. If you let them sit in the dryer, they can become unmanageable from static. If your have pets and find their hair or fur all over your fleece couch throw or blanket, put on a vinyl or rubber glove, wet it, and rub the blanket with it to remove the pet hair.
Warning
Do not add fabric softener to the fleece blanket load, as this can prevent the fabric from wicking or repelling moisture.
Do not use high heat settings in the dryer when drying fleece. Because the fabric is polyester, a form of plastic, you can burn and even melt fleece blankets if you use the high setting on the dryer.
Do not put a softener sheet into the dryer with your fleece blankets or items.
Do not iron fleece blankets, as this can burn or melt them or leave ugly scorch marks on the blankets.
Do not dry clean fleece blankets.
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Pretreat stains or soiled areas with a dab of liquid laundry detergent or mild dish-washing liquid matched to the size of the stain. After letting the detergent soak into the stain, blot the soap to lift it from the fabric with a paper towel. Do not rub the stain, as this may spread it or press it deeper into the fabric.
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Wash fleece blankets with other fleece items, such as fleece jackets or couch throws, on the washer's lukewarm setting. Mix like colors together to avoid color runs, or include a color cloth that draws colors that bleed. Avoid washing the blankets with rougher fabrics such as thick heavy cottons, corduroys or jeans, which can abrade the fleece. If you include fleece clothing with zippers, zip them up. Set the washer to its delicate or gentle cycle for best results. If you set the washer to a more rigorous setting, it can cause the fleece blanket to tie up in knots or twist.
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Hang fleece blankets outdoors, if you have a clothesline, for the freshest smelling results, or place them in the dryer on the low heat or gentle cycle. You cannot use softener sheets or other softening products with fleece, so when you hang them outdoors, they smell better and don't take long to dry if you live in a dry climate.
The Drip Cap
- Fleece can trap and retain body warmth, making it a good choice for winter blankets and couch throws.
- Avoid washing the blankets with rougher fabrics such as thick heavy cottons, corduroys or jeans, which can abrade the fleece.
- Hang fleece blankets outdoors, if you have a clothesline, for the freshest smelling results, or place them in the dryer on the low heat or gentle cycle.
References
Resources
Writer Bio
As a native Californian, artist, journalist and published author, Laurie Brenner began writing professionally in 1975. She has written for newspapers, magazines, online publications and sites. Brenner graduated from San Diego's Coleman College.
Photo Credits
- E. J. Sanders/Demand Media
- E. J. Sanders/Demand Media
- E. J. Sanders/Demand Media
- E. J. Sanders/Demand Media
- E. J. Sanders/Demand Media
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