• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
go to homepage

Search by
Category
  • Cleaning Blog
  • Automotive
  • Bathroom Appliances and Fixtures
  • Carpets and Rugs
  • Cats
  • Closets and Organization
  • Dogs
  • Electronics
  • Fabrics
  • Floor & Carpet
  • Floors
  • Food
  • Furniture
  • General Housecleaning
  • House
  • Household Appliances and Fixtures
  • Jewelry
  • Kitchen Appliances and Fixtures
  • Kitchen and Bathroom Surfaces
  • Kitchenware
  • Metals
  • Outdoors
  • Other Pets, Animals and Pests
  • People
  • Stain Removal
  • Stuff
  • Surfaces
  • Things You Own
  • Tools and Techniques
  • Walls and Ceilings
  • Windows
  • Everything Else
  • Ask us your cleaning question

go to homepage

How To Clean Stuff.net

Search by
Category
  • Cleaning Blog
  • Automotive
  • Bathroom Appliances and Fixtures
  • Carpets and Rugs
  • Cats
  • Closets and Organization
  • Dogs
  • Electronics
  • Fabrics
  • Floor & Carpet
  • Floors
  • Food
  • Furniture
  • General Housecleaning
  • House
  • Household Appliances and Fixtures
  • Jewelry
  • Kitchen Appliances and Fixtures
  • Kitchen and Bathroom Surfaces
  • Kitchenware
  • Metals
  • Outdoors
  • Other Pets, Animals and Pests
  • People
  • Stain Removal
  • Stuff
  • Surfaces
  • Things You Own
  • Tools and Techniques
  • Walls and Ceilings
  • Windows
  • Everything Else
  • Ask us your cleaning question

Home / Cleaning Guides / Clothing & Fabrics / Fabrics / How to Wash a Wool Blanket

How to Wash a Wool Blanket

Table of Contents:
  1. You Will Need
  2. Steps to Clean the Blanket
  3. Additional Tips and Advice
  4. Sources

Jan asked: How do I wash a wool blanket? I bought this large wool blanket and an Army/Navy surplus store. It has no tags to advise how to wash it. We use it in our motor home, and I wanted to know if you thought I could wash it in my large capacity, high efficiency washing machine? Thank you!

Though woolblanketmany wool items are too delicate to machine wash, most wool blankets are actually a blend of wool and another fiber (often acrylic). This allows them to be machine washed successfully on a gentle cycle. Here are a few steps to ensure your wool blanket comes out as good as it went in.

You Will Need:

  • Zero Fabric Wash (by Woolite)
  • Liquid vegetable glycerin (optional)
  • White vinegar (optional)
  • Fabric brush

Steps to Clean the Blanket:

  1. Begin by unfolding the blanket and shaking out any loose debris.
  2. Place the blanket in the washing machine.
  3. High efficiency washers use a minimal amount of water, which can cause the blanket to rub against itself more than it would in a standard washer, which can lead to pilling. If you have the option, add extra water to your HE washer.
  4. Add a small amount of a gentle liquid detergent that is designed for wool items, such as Woolite.
  5. Set the washing machine to wash and rinse on cold water. Use a gentle or delicate cycle.
  6. If your wool is scratchy, add either a few drops of liquid vegetable glycerin (available in the baking aisle or at most pharmacies) or 2 cups of white vinegar (for standard washers) to the rinse water.
  7. After the washing cycle is complete, remove the item and reshape it as necessary.
  8. Hang the blanket to dry. This can be done several ways:
    • Lay it flat on a clean floor or on a few clean towels that are on the floor.
    • Hang it outside on a clothesline away from direct sun
    • Hang it over the backs of several chairs overnight
    • Hang it over a rust-free shower curtain rod
  9. If the blanket feels stiff after drying, brush it with a fabric brush to rub up the nap. A dry towel can be used instead of a fabric brush.

Additional Tips and Advice

  • Avoid any wash cycles that use hot water or strong agitation/spin cycles. These can all cause damage and shrinkage to the wool fibers.
  • If the Zero detergent cannot be found, another gentle/mild detergent designed for delicate fabrics will work. Baby detergents are a good choice.
  • While all wool blankets have different fiber compositions, those found at military surplus stores are strong blankets. They can usually tolerate the machine washing with no problems.
  • Avoid machine drying wool items unless the care instructions specifically say that it is allowable.
  • You do not need to use fabric softener on wool as it is softened with heat and moisture.
  • When wet, wool fibers are swollen and weak. Do not wring or twist the wet wool as you can damage it. If you find that your blanket has retained too much water after a wash, put it through a second spin cycle.
  • Do not wash more than one wool blanket at a time as they will abrade against each other and begin to pill.

Sources:

  • Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson
  • Extraordinary Uses For Ordinary Things by Reader’s Digest
  • The Cleaning Encyclopedia by Don Aslett
  • Household Hints for Dummies by Janet Sobesky
  • Haley’s Hints by Graham and Rosemary Haley

Cleaning Guides, Fabrics

Was This Guide Helpful?

+101
-2
Rating: 99%. From 103 votes.
Please wait...

Related Posts

  • How to Wash Wool
  • How to Wash Blankets
  • How to Wash a Shedding Blanket
  • How to Wash an Electric Blanket
  • How to Wash Bamboo Knit
  • How to Clean Wool

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, conse ctetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit sed diam.


Thank you for subscribing!

Reader Interactions

About the Author

Avatar photo

Susan

I'm a stay-at-home mom who used to run a small housecleaning business. These days I consider myself more or a mad cleaning-scientist. I do most of the testing for our articles - as well as helping Mark & Melanie write them.

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Helpful comments include feedback on the recipe or changes you made.

show comments +

Comments

  1. Sharon says

    July 24, 2012 at 10:35 am

    I recently purchased a top of the line front load washer with a wool setting. Now I am disappointed because the instruction manual advises against using the machine to wash wool blankets. I have been looking for another machine, but I think the manufactures all have the same advice? Is there a machine on the market that can handle the weight of the wool?

    Reply
  2. Joanne says

    November 19, 2018 at 9:03 pm

    Great tips! I have been using a detergent specifically for wool called “Wool & Cashmere Shampoo” by The Laundress. Scent is cedar and so far I absolutely love the stuff! I came on here to find out if liquid fabric softener would work on my wool blanket and just thought I’d share my experience. Happy cleaning ladies and gents!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Featured Guides

How to Clean a Hairbrush

How to Clean a Microwave Oven With ZERO Chemicals

How to Clean Every Dental Retainer

How to Clean your Macbook’s Screen

Join our mailing list.
Be the first to know about new arrivals, sales, and special events.
Thank you for subscribing!

Footer

Browse by Category

  • Automotive
  • Clothing & Fabrics
  • Floors & Carpets
  • Housecleaning
  • Kitchen & Bath
  • Outdoors
  • People & Pets
  • Household Stuff

Contact

  • Ask Us Your Cleaning Questions
  • Contact Form

Follow us on Social Media

Site Information

  • Cookie Policy
  • Guest Post Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • XML Sitemap

Copyright © 2023 · HowToCleanStuff.net · All Rights Reserved · Website by Anchored Design