How To Wash A Hand Knit Blanket

Posted on by Aronale Hanna
18
Jan

How to wash a hand knit blanket is a relatively complicated question for many people. On cold winter days, nothing is warmer and more wonderful than wearing colorful knitted sweaters; wrap around your neck a soft and fluffy woolen scarf and curl up in a knitted scarf enjoying the cozy feeling it brings.

For me, my experiences with knitted items are wonderful and warm. It makes me no longer afraid of the cold, numb winter days, but on the contrary, feel very cherished.

But what do you do when faced with sticky stains on the surface of your blanket? Many people will say that just toss it in the washing machine and it’s done, right? Yes, you can do it the same way if you make them damaged and less soft. In fact, each different type of blanket is made of different materials, and the texture of the yarn is completely different, so they need their own care processes, and our beloved knitted blanket is no exception.

Knowing the basic principles and the proper blanket washing process not only makes your blanket always in a clean, fragrant state but also optimizes the lifespan of the blanket. Below we have compiled the most minimalistic how-to wash hand-knitted blanket steps. Please read and refer!

1. What You’ll Need

Before taking the blanket to wash, you should prepare the necessary tools to make the washing process more efficient and uninterrupted. Below we have listed the most basic tools, whether you are washing machine or washing by hand, you should prepare:

Device

  • Large sink or bucket (hand wash); washing machine (machine wash)
  • Roller
  • White cloth towels
  • Drying racks, hanging racks

Material

  • Mild detergent or gentle detergent
  • Dirty blanket
  • White Vinegar

2. How to Wash a Hand Knit Blanket by Hand Washing?

Step 1: Know The Type of Knitted Blanket

The first step to being able to wash your knitted blanket is to identify the yarn it uses. This is probably a step that many people do not notice. But this is the first step to protecting your blanket from damage that you can’t think of during the washing process.

Natural materials such as alpaca wool, cashmere wool, etc. are fibers that must be washed by hand to avoid damage and affect the texture of the fibers. If you can’t identify the yarn you’re using, check the manufacturer’s label. Data such as material, structure, and washing principles are also clearly recorded.

Synthetic fibers such as polyester or acrylic do not require the same rigorous care as machine-washable natural fibers.

If you no longer have the manufacturer’s sticker, you can try our way to check if it’s a natural or synthetic fiber. Remove a bit of excess yarn from the blanket and then use a lighter or match to burn it. If the fabric smells like burning hair and turns to ash after it burns, it’s a natural fiber. Conversely, if it has a chemical odor and is melted and not completely decomposed, it is a synthetic fiber.

Step 2: Prepare Cold Water and Mild Detergent

The best way to keep a wool blanket from getting ruffled or breaking the original fibers is to wash it by hand. We recommend using a mild detergent or detergent to prevent the blanket from fading or damaging its texture.

Also, avoid the use of substances such as bleach or fabric softeners because they are not compatible with materials such as knitwear. There is a much safer, more effective, and economical alternative that you can use instead of using white vinegar.

Taking a small amount of white vinegar diluted with water can prevent odors, and mold, and also act as a very friendly organic cleaner for knitted blankets.

Step 3: Stir Gently

After dissolving the solution with water, we put the blanket in it to soak so that the stains or plaques are removed. At this step, you should pay attention to gently shaking the blanket in water to clean it, absolutely do not use strong force to rub or squeeze.

Actions that apply too much force to such delicate blankets can cause your item to fade. Shake the knitted item gently in water to clean, but never wrong or scrub. Being rough with the item may cause the item to be deformed.

Step 4: Rinse off The Foam

After completely removing the stains on the surface of the blanket, we use cold water to rinse the blanket off the soap bubbles. Repeat this rinsing process until your hands are no longer greasy with soap bubbles and the soap bubbles are completely gone.

Use cold water to wash away excess foam from the item. Continue rinsing until the water is clear.

Step 5: Prepare to Dry

Use light force to squeeze out any excess water from the blanket and spread it on a dry surface to absorb the water.

If your blanket is too big to use a towel to absorb all the water, you can place the blanket on a drying rack to let it remove the excess water on its own.

Step 6: Let It Dry Naturally

Leaving your blanket to dry on a rack in natural, well-ventilated light is ideal. You should choose a place to avoid the impact of sunlight that causes the wool fibers to stretch. Let the blanket dry completely and you’re ready to use it.

3. How Do You Wash A Knitted Blanket In The Washing Machine?

As 9Blanket said above the best way to protect your knitted blanket is to hand wash it. But if you’re too busy to do this and make sure your yarn is synthetic, you can get help from a washing machine. However, this machine washing process also needs to follow strict principles as follows:

  • Set a gentle, delicate wash cycle so as not to damage the fibers
  • Must use cool or cold water throughout the washing process to make sure your blanket does not stretch, ruffle, or stretch abnormally.
  • Using washing powder and gentle detergents, priority should be given to using natural detergents such as vinegar, and baking soda,…
  • If drying, use the lowest heat setting and slowest spin cycle to prevent the fibers from overheating. Because if the temperature is too high, the wool fibers can melt, and the mechanical impact is too strong and can cause the knots to come apart.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

4.1. How to Remove Lint From a Blanket?

When the blanket appears to have fluff on the surface or just excess causing unsightly to the blanket, do not try to pull it out to do anything. It’s useless! You can stretch or loosen the knitted yarns in the usual way that all men do.

Instead cut them as close as possible without causing holes or damage to the blanket. If your blankets are ruffled, you can use a shaver to remove them. This method takes a bit of meticulousness and ingenuity but is quite time-saving and returns a beautiful original look to your blanket.

In addition, knitted blankets also have lint due to the friction between the fabric fibers during the washing process. You can use scissors to remove or assist tools to remove.

4.2. Can I Wash Hand-Knitted Synthetics With Another Laundry?

If your machine washes synthetic knits, you can leave them out for washing with delicates of other materials. But it is best to only wash them with similar materials. You can put woolen items in a mesh laundry bag to minimize damage.

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