Like other things, blankets get dirty from time to time and need to be washed. Depending on what materials the product is made of, cleaning methods will differ.

Types of blankets and washing features

Many rightly believe that washing a blanket is too time-consuming. It may not fit in a household washing machine, and with hand washing, as soon as it gets wet, it becomes unbearable. In addition, care for products made from different materials is different. And not all fillers are washable.

How to wash and dry a quilt

Usually, buyers pay attention to the size, color, filler and thermal qualities of the product. Issues related to caring for him are relegated to the background. A cotton-filled blanket is the best example of this. Having many advantages, it can bring a lot of trouble. Natural cotton filling is an ideal place for dust and microorganisms to accumulate, so it must be cleaned regularly and thoroughly. At the same time, the blanket does not tolerate interaction with water and becomes heavy when wet. Cotton wool can get lumpy, and the product will lose its original qualities. It is recommended to remove dirt by dry cleaning. In particularly difficult cases, a slightly damp foam treatment can be carried out.

Bacteria quickly develops in moist natural material, so it is necessary to dry the quilt immediately after cleaning:

1. Lay it out on a horizontal surface. When drying vertically, the product may be deformed.
2. Better to do it outdoors. The sun's rays not only contribute to rapid drying, but also effectively kill various bacteria. To prevent the blanket from fading and losing its bright colors, cover the product with a thin cloth. For example, you can put an old sheet on top.
3. If the blanket is being dried indoors, blow air from a fan on it to speed up drying.
4. Shake and turn the blanket periodically. Straighten the filler to avoid the formation of lumps.

To prevent the filler from clumping, dry the quilt in the fresh air, placing it on a horizontal surface.

How to wash a wool blanket

This product is no less capricious in care than cotton. But washing in a gentle mode is allowed. The most common blankets are sheep, camel and llama wool. The cleaning rules are the same as for all woolen products:

• wash only in warm water (not higher than 30 ° C), as the material shrinks in hot water;
• Use special products for wool products, which are designed taking into account the peculiarities of the structure of the fibers, effectively remove dirt and protect the fabric from damage - Euro Wish, Denkmit, Formil Wool gel, HEY-Sport or Villus liquid powder;
• do not rub the product: when washing by hand, clean it by raising it - lowering it into a soapy solution, and very carefully “stroke” heavily soiled with a brush with soft bristles;
• when washing in the machine, put the blanket in a fabric bag to protect the filters from contamination with wool lint;
• rinse it in water with the same water as when washing: temperature changes will lead to shrinkage of the blanket;
• do not wring or twist woolen products, but let the water drain naturally;
• lay flat to dry.

The wool blanket can be washed in warm water and must not be rubbed.

Many people ask whether a new blanket should be washed, for example, if it has a specific sheepskin smell. If it's just a bad smell, there's no need to do this. It is enough to ventilate the product in the fresh air for 3-4 hours. The smell will go away. If the purity of the material is in doubt, it is better to wash it. After all, a dirty blanket is not only an ugly appearance, but also a direct threat to health.

Features of washing down and silk duvets

Manufacturers generally recommend dry cleaning down and silk products. The network often recommends washing the cover and filler separately. But in the case of a duvet, the cover will have to be torn open, which is very laborious and inefficient. The main difficulty is caused by 2 factors:

• fluff may fall off during washing;
• product does not dry well.

But a duvet can be washed at home with high quality. Here are some simple tips that will improve the result:

Dry the blanket horizontally in the fresh air or in a well-ventilated area. Place a terry sheet or towel under it to absorb moisture, turn the blanket over regularly and change the wet sheet for a dry one. Knead the lumps of down filler with your hands. This should be done in each cell of the blanket throughout the drying process.

During the washing of the blanket, the fluff gets lumped into lumps, which makes it difficult to dry and spoil the quality of the product.

On silk blankets, there is usually a zipper in the side seam, which makes it easy to remove the filler and wash it separately from the cover, and return it to its place after drying. The cover is washed in accordance with the requirements for the fabric from which it is made, and the filler must be soaked in warm soapy water for 1-2 hours, then rinsed thoroughly and dried in a horizontal position.

A synthetic winterizer and a more modern product with a holofiber filler are the most unpretentious in care. Dust mites do not take root in them, fungus and mold do not start, and odors do not persist. Synthetic blankets are not afraid of water, withstand numerous washes and dry quickly:

• temperature regime: synthetic winterizer - 40 ° C, holofiber - up to 60 ° C;
• the detergent can be used a third less than the usual rate for such an amount of laundry;
• wring out at high speeds and immediately after washing, shake the product to restore its original shape;
• can be dried both horizontally and vertically, as well as in the washing machine.

Blankets with synthetic fillers are the most unpretentious in care and are perfectly machine washable.

Caring for flannelette, patchwork and vegetable fiber quilts

There are three washing options:

• manual;
• in a typewriter;
• dry.

You can also use the dry cleaning service. But, according to many housewives, the cost of such cleaning is comparable to the price of a new blanket. Before washing, carefully read the information on the label of the duvet, which contains the necessary information about the proper care of the product. Some materials require only dry cleaning, others have temperature, spin or dry restrictions. Compliance with these recommendations is a guarantee of a quality result.

The quilt label contains all the necessary information on how to care for the product.

Preliminary preparation

Immediately before washing:

1. Check the integrity of the cover. If there are holes, open seams, sew them up or put on patches, otherwise the fabric may tear even more during washing, and the filler will come out through the holes and deform. It will be difficult to insert it back and straighten it, and in the case of a duvet, it will be impossible.
2. In quilted products, quilting performs not only a decorative function, but also fixes the filler. If the seam has come apart, it must be restored before washing, otherwise the filler will clump.
3. Check the duvet for stains. If necessary, treat them with special means. Be sure to follow the instructions for use and dosages indicated on the package.

Machine wash

If the blanket can, in principle, be washed in a machine, compare the maximum load of the appliance indicated in the passport with the actual weight of the product. If the weight (usually indicated on the label) is less than the maximum allowable number of kilograms, the blanket can be washed in this machine.