How To Wash A Pendleton Wool Blanket

Posted on by Aronale Hanna
How To Wash A Pendleton Wool Blanket
27
Mar

Nothing is as warm and comfortable as a cozy wool blanket on cold winter days but do you know how to wash a Pendleton blanket? Whatever equipment or items we use, if we want them to stay new and last to the maximum extent, proper use and care are essential. While wool is significantly more durable than some other textiles and may not stain easily, it still needs cleaning from time to time.

Wool blankets are not only soft and warm so we can avoid the cold of winter days, but also have many other benefits such as fire resistance, moisture absorption, odor resistance and natural self-healing. These properties make wool clothing ideal for active lifestyles and long-term wear.

If you own a Pendleton blanket, read on to know how to properly wash the blanket. Below, we’ll help you figure out the specific steps to properly care for and wash your favorite wool blankets so they can stay with you for the longest time.

1. What Is Wool?

Before learning how to properly wash a duvet, we need to clarify what wool is. Actually, wool is the natural hair of animals such as sheep, alpacas, rabbits, camel-hair goats, etc. Because of its nature as an outer layer that protects animals against external influences, wool can retain heat quite well.

In addition, because of the strength and flexibility of the fibers, they can be woven into heavy, coarse fabrics or into light, soft fabrics, depending on the purpose we want to use them for. On the market today, there are countries that produce wool with the world’s largest output, including Australia, the US, China, and New Zealand. 

After fur is trimmed from an animal, it goes through a multi-step process before being turned into yarn and woven into a piece of fabric. The steps of processing and manufacturing a duvet are extremely careful and meticulous, so the price is a bit higher than that of other blankets, but it is well worth the investment.

2. How Often to Clean a Wool Blanket

Before you take your warm, beloved wool blanket to the wash, you need to learn carefully about the cycle of how many months to wash the blanket once. The reason we should do so is to avoid washing too much or too little, causing unwanted effects on the blanket. In fact, wool blankets do not need to be cleaned too often because the effects of force and heat caused during washing can affect their texture.

If you use it daily, it should be washed every three months. If you only use the blanket seasonally, wash it at the end of the season once the cold winter days are over. Since wool blankets have a very delicate texture, you can only temporarily stop using them and wash or clean the blanket when it is visibly dirty or has a bad smell. Occasionally, hang woolen blankets outside for a few hours to allow them to breathe and prevent mold.

3. The Dangers Of Washing A Pendleton Blanket

As 9Blanket said above, wool blankets are a very fragile material and are easily damaged if we do not follow safety rules during the washing process. Here are some of the bad effects we want you to imagine if you wash your blankets the wrong way:

  • First, they can shrink:
    Wool is a natural fiber and will naturally shrink after being washed. This is normal and not a reason to avoid washing your Pendleton blanket. But if you use a high temperature or a drying cycle that is too strong, your wool blanket will shrink and may not even return to its original natural shape. So it’s important to pay attention to how you wash wool blankets.
  • It may be damaged:
    If you wash your Pendleton too often, it can break the fibers and cause damage to the blanket itself. In addition, using too much detergent will make this situation worse. If this happens, then you’ll need to get a new (or at least professionally washed) Pendleton blanket.
  • It will smell bad:
    The essence of wool blankets has a very characteristic natural smell. So if you wash your Pendleton too often, it will not only not get rid of unpleasant odors, but it will also lead to worse blindness. This can be annoying and negatively affect the appearance of the blanket. So you should follow the blanket washing cycle every 3 months. You can also put the blanket to dry to avoid the phenomenon of mold or the smell of the blanket.
  • It can be dyed:
    Washing woolen clothes can cause stains, especially if you wash woolen items frequently. This is why it is important to pay attention to how often you wash your wool blankets.
  • It will lose its shape: Wool can also shrink. This is why it’s so important to wash your Pendleton blanket carefully. If you wash your Pendleton blanket too often, the blanket can lose its shape and become deformed.

4. What You’ll Need

4.1. Equipment / Tools

  • Soft bristle brush
  • Clean cloth
  • Washing machine
  • Soft bath towel (optional)
  • Drying rack (optional)
  • Iron (Optional)
  • Pressed fabric (optional)

4.2. Materials

  • Wool-safe cleaner: soda or vinegar
  • Wool blankets

5. How To Wash Pendleton Blanket

5.1. Shake The Blanket

Before washing woolen blankets, shake them out and hang them in a well-ventilated place. While using the blanket, it may get dirty from hair or food, so you need to shake it before washing it.

If you have a Pendleton blanket that hasn’t completely dried, the next step is to make sure it’s completely dry. If you’re going to wash your Pendleton blanket and are worried about it shrinking, hang it for at least two weeks before washing.

This step can be of great help in getting the blanket soft again, and you may not have to wash it.

5.2. Brush The Blanket

Lay your wool blanket flat on a clean surface, be it a table or the floor, to brush the blanket. You should use a soft bristle brush, with each brush going in the same direction, and use gentle hand force to make the dirt come off in the most gentle way to avoid damaging the blanket.

5.3. Treat Stains

Treat stains on your wool blanket with cold water and a mild detergent, soda, or vinegar solution (1/3 cup distilled white vinegar and 2/3 cup water). After preparing the above solution, soak the stains.

Then use a clean white cloth or paper towel to gradually absorb the stains until they are completely gone; this process can be repeated 2-3 times. Do not use any harsh detergents on wool blankets, as they will cause the blanket to ruffle or shrink.

5.4. Soak The Blanket In Cold Water

Fill the washing machine with cold water and wool-safe detergent, then place the wool blanket in and soak for 15 minutes. You should do this so that the dirt can be gradually removed, making the washing process faster and easier.

5.5. Wash For A Few Minutes

Set the washing machine on a gentle setting and let it run for two minutes. Cancel the cycle, switch to the rinse cycle and let the rinse cycle finish. Give the blanket a second wash if you see foam on the fabric.

5.4. Soak The Blanket In Cold Water

Fill the washing machine with cold water and wool-safe detergent, then place the wool blanket in and soak for 15 minutes. You should do this so that the dirt can be gradually removed, making the washing process faster and easier.

5.6. Roll The Blanket In A Towel

Roll the blanket in a dry towel to absorb excess moisture. You may need to use more than one towel to remove the water. Do not wring out the blanket, as it will ruin the shape of the wool.

5.7. Dry The Blanket

Hang the blanket outside to let it dry naturally, but out of direct sunlight. The softness of the blanket might be ruined by the sun. Also, avoid putting woolen blankets in the dryer, as it can crush the fibers and cause the blanket to shrink. You can hang a damp blanket to dry over the door, on the drying rack, over the shower, or on a rust-free towel rail.

You can refer to the following articles for more information:

Aronale Hanna