All of us have a favorite blanket, one that is used quite often, thrown over sofas, or used during movie nights. No matter what material your blanket is made of, be it fleece, wool, or crochet, it will get dirty. So it is important for you to learn the right way to wash your blankets. Keeping your blankets clean is an essential step towards maintaining their longevity and comfort.
In this step-by-step guide, we will discuss fleece blankets and answer the most asked question: How to wash fleece blankets. So, if you want to ensure that your custom fleece blankets stay warm and cozy, we have got your back. From preparation to drying, you will find all the necessary steps and tips to keep your custom fleece blankets in the best condition.
Why Proper Washing Matters?
Fleece blankets are incredibly soft and warm and are used in many households, whether snuggling up on the couch or adding an extra layer of warmth to your bedding. But to keep them in perfect condition, you need to know the right way of washing a fleece blanket. Improper washing can cause several issues, including:
- Loss of Softness: If you wash your fleece blanket with harsh detergents or extremely hot water, it can lose its softness.
- Pilling: Due to improper washing techniques, small balls of fabric may appear on the surface of your blanket, making it look worn out.
- Damage to Fabric: Over time, improper washing techniques can weaken the fabric, leading to tears and damage to fabric in other forms.
Hence it is important to understand how to clean a fleece blanket, in order to maintain its quality and longevity.
The Best Way to Wash Fleece Blankets
If you are looking for ways to wash your custom embroidered fleece blankets, this comprehensive guide has got you covered. From preparation to drying, you will find all the washing instructions for fleece blankets here.
Preparation Before Washing
Before washing your fleece blanket, take a few steps to ensure that it remains soft and maintains its quality. Here is how to prepare it for washing.
Shake out Debris
The first step in washing the fleece blanket is removing all the loose dust and debris. Removing dust & debris is important, as it can get trapped inside the blanket’s fibers if soaked directly in water, making it even harder to remove and causing damage to the fibers.
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you remove all the loose dust and debris from your custom embroidered fleece blanket.
- If possible, take your blanket outside; by doing so, you’ll prevent the dust from spreading around your home.
- Hold the blanket firmly from one end.
- Shake the blanket vigorously to remove dust, dirt, and loose particles.
- Be sure to shake out areas with creases and folds, as dust and debris can accumulate there.
Check the Care Label
Before you start washing your custom fleece blankets, you need to check the care label. This small tag on your blanket provides you with essential information on how to clean and maintain your blanket.
It is important to remember that the care labels are the best practices provided by the manufacturer to preserve the quality of your custom & embroidered blankets. These instructions are based on the type of fleece and any special treatment applied to fleece during manufacturing.
What should you look for on the care label? Check the label for water temperature and the number of cycles. These labels also provide information on the preferred drying process and include warning notes such as ‘do not bleach’ or ‘do not iron.’
Additional Tips
- If your custom fleece blankets are brightly colored or have patterns, wash them separately to avoid color bleeding.
- Don’t overload your washing machine; wash it with blankets of similar size to reduce the strain on both the fabric and the machine.
For various high-quality fleece blankets designed to last, check out custom fleece blankets from AllStar Logo. These blankets come with detailed care instructions to help you maintain their pristine condition for years.
Choosing the Right Detergent
To wash your custom & embroidered fleece blankets, you have to use the right detergents. Here is what you should consider when choosing a detergent.
- Use Mild Detergent: Choose liquid detergents, as they are mild and leave less residue than powdered detergents.
- Avoid Bleach: Do not bleach your custom logo or embroidered fleece blanket. It will not only discolor the fabric but will also make it less soft.
- Don’t Use Fabric Softeners: Fabric softeners can coat your custom fleece blankets, making them stiff and reducing their plush feel.
Using harsh detergents, fabric softeners, and bleach can compromise the quality of your blankets, so stick to mild, liquid detergents designed for delicate fabric.
For high-quality, easy-to-care-for options, consider choosing a personalized fleece blanketfrom AllStarLogo.
Machine Washing Instructions
Washing a custom fleece blanket in a machine is easy. However, you need to take proper care and follow washing instructions to ensure that your custom logo blankets remain soft and the fabric maintains its quality. Here is your guide to how to wash a fleece blanket and keep it soft.
Setting up the Machine
When setting up your machine, select a gentle or delicate cycle to reduce friction while washing and the chances of pilling.
Remember that fleece is a delicate fabric, and a regular heavy-duty cycle can be harsh and can lead to damage.
Avoid Hot Water
Don’t use hot water while washing your custom logo and embroidered fleece blanket, as fleece is a delicate material, and hot water can damage it. Here is why you should not use hot water.
- Hot water can shrink your fleece blanket, making it short and uncomfortable to use.
- Hot water can also damage the structure of the fleece fiber, making them stiff and less plush.
- Hot water can also cause discoloration over time.
For high-quality fleece blankets designed to withstand washing and remain soft, consider exploring custom fleece blankets such as the picnic blanket or high-quality fleece blanket from AllStar Logo.
Hand Washing Instructions
For those wondering if you can wash fleece blankets by hand, the answer is yes. Hand washing is an excellent method, especially for delicate fleece blankets that require extra care. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide on how to wash fleece blankets by hand.
- Before you start hand washing your custom fleece blanket, ensure you have a large basin, mild detergent, and cold water available.
- Fill the basin with cold water.
- Add a mild detergent and let your fleece blanket soak in the basin for 15 minutes.
- Now that your blanket has been soaking for 15 minutes, rub any particularly dirty spots with your hand; be gentle, and don’t be too harsh.
- Once your blanket is clean, drain the soapy water and fill the basin with clean water. Submerge the blanket in the clean water and squeeze to remove detergent residue. Repeat this process as many times as required.
Drying the Fleece Blanket
Learning the proper drying technique is important to keep your fleece blankets soft and maintain their quality. No matter what drying process you are using, it is essential to follow some specific steps to avoid damaging the blanket. Here is a detailed guide on how to wash and dry fleece blankets.
Air Drying
Air drying is often considered to be the best way of drying your custom embroidered fleece blanket, as it reduces the risk of damage from heat and helps maintain the softness of the blanket. Here is how to do it right:
- Choose a well-ventilated area indoors away from the sun and heat from the radiators or heaters.
- Spread the blanket evenly on a drying rack. Spreading the blanket evenly would help it retain its shape.
- If you are using a clothline, ensure that the blanket is not bunched up so it dries up evenly.
- Turn the blanket periodically so the air flows, helping the blanket dry evenly.
- Want to speed up the drying process? Turn on the fans to increase the flow of air around the blanket.
Tumble Drying
While air drying is an ideal way of drying your custom logo and embroidered fleece blankets, sometimes you might need to use a dryer due to time restraints. If you are tumble drying your fleece blankets, be sure to follow the given steps to ensure that the quality and softness of your blanket are not compromised. Here is how you can tumble dry your fleece blankets.
- Clean the lint filter before drying your fleece blanket so that lint does not build up on it.
- Use the dryer’s lowest heat setting. High heat can cause the fleece fibers to melt, become brittle, and shrink.
- If possible, dry your fleece blanket with other similar lightweight items or alone to avoid pilling caused by friction.
- Check the blanket from time to time to make sure it is drying evenly and not overheating.
- After removing the blanket from the dryer, hang it on a drying rack or cloth line.
Spot Cleaning Tips
Spot cleaning is an important technique that can help you maintain the cleanliness and longevity of your embroidered fleece blanket between full washes. This method is especially useful for handling small stains and spills and reduces the need to wash the whole blanket. Here’s a detailed guide on how to wash fleece blankets through spot-cleaning techniques.
Quick Stain Removal
When you notice a stain on your embroidered fleece blanket, it’s important to act quickly to prevent it from setting. Here are some steps for efficient and safe spot cleaning:
- Damp Cloth: Use a clean, white, damp cloth. Don’t use a colored cloth, as there might be a risk of transferring dyes to the blanket.
- Gentle Detergent: Use a mild, liquid detergent suitable for delicate fabrics. Avoid using bleach or harsh chemicals that can damage the fleece fibers.
- Gently Blot: Do not rub the stain. Rubbing can push the stain deeper into the fibers and cause the stain to spread. Instead, gently blot the stain with the damp cloth to absorb as much of the spill as possible.
- Work from Outside to Inside: Start blotting from the outer edge of the stain and move towards the center. This technique will prevent the stain from spreading.
- Use a Small Amount of Detergent: Use a small amount of a gentle detergent. Don’t apply it directly to the blanket; rather, apply it on the damp cloth first.
- Blot Again: Gently blot the stained area again with the damp cloth dipped in detergent. Remember, our goal is to lift the stain and not saturate the blanket with the detergent.
- Use Another Clean Damp Cloth: Use a separate clean, damp cloth to blot the area and remove detergent residue.
- Multiple Rinses: You might need to rinse the cloth and blot the area several times to remove all detergent. Removing all the detergent is necessary as residue detergent can attract more dirt and make the fabric stiff.
- Air Dry: Hang the blanket on a drying rack or a well-ventilated area. Make sure that you are drying the blanket away from the sunlight, as other heat sources as heat can damage the delicate fleece fabric.
- Turn Occasionally: If the cleaned area is large, you might need to turn the blanket occasionally so that it dries evenly.
Tips for Effective Spot Cleaning
- Clean the stain as soon as possible. The sooner you clean the stain, the easier it will be to remove.
- Before using any detergent on your custom embroidered blanket, test it on a small, preferably a hidden spot, to ensure the detergent won’t cause any discoloration.
- Don’t use a lot of water during spot cleaning. Using too much water can cause the stain to spread and make the drying process longer. Use a small amount of water enough to blot the stain.
- Be patient and gentle throughout the process. Don’t be harsh, and don’t rub vigorously, as it will damage the fiber.
Why Spot Cleaning Matters
Spot cleaning is a necessary part of washing fleece blankets, as it helps to maintain the appearance and texture of the blanket. Moreover, it also reduces the need for frequent full washes, as frequent washes can damage the fabric over time.
By properly spot-cleaning stains quickly, you can make your custom logo & embroidered fleece blankets last longer and keep them looking fresh and new.
Benefits of Spot Cleaning
- Spot cleaning reduces the risk of wear and tear that can be caused due to frequent washing.
- It is a quick and efficient way to handle minor stains without washing the entire blanket.
- It helps keep the blanket clean and well-maintained between full washes.
Additional Spot Cleaning Tools
- Fabric Brush: A soft-bristle fabric brush can help remove dirt and debris from the surface of the blanket.
- White Vinegar: For stubborn stains, a solution of white vinegar and water can be used as an alternative to detergent. Be sure to test on a small area first to ensure it doesn’t affect the color.
Maintaining Softness and Preventing Pilling
To ensure that your fleece blankets remain soft and pill-free, here are a few tip and tricks that you can follow.
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Turn Inside Out
When you are washing your custom fleece blankets, consider turning them inside out. This tiny adjustment can make a big difference in keeping your fleece blanket soft and pill-free. Turning your blanket inside out reduces friction and strain on the surface fibers, keeping them damage free for a long time.
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Use a Fabric Shaver
Over time, you might notice fuzz and small pills forming on the surface of your fleece blanket. Don’t worry; this is a common occurrence. To keep your custom logo & embroidered blankets looking fresh and new, consider investing in fabric shavers. This handy tool can gently remove any fuzz or pill forming on the surface of your blanket, making your blanket look new and fresh.
Over To You
Learning how to wash your fleece blankets properly is essential to keep them soft and cozy. Follow these steps to extend the life of your blankets and keep them looking as good as new. Regular but careful washing, the right detergent, and appropriate drying methods are the secrets behind maintaining the quality of your fleece blanket.
If you are looking for an extra special fleece blanket, check out the custom and personalized fleece blankets fromAllStar Logo. These blankets are designed to withstand the test of time, staying warm and cozy even after multiple washes.
FAQs
Q: Can you wash the fleece blanket with hot water?
No, you can not wash fleece blankets with hot water. Hot water can cause the fleece to shrink and damage the fibers. Remember, always to use cold water when washing fleece blankets.
Q: How often should you wash a fleece blanket?
It’s recommended to wash your fleece blanket once or twice a month, depending on use.
Q: Can you use bleach on a fleece blanket?
No, bleach can damage the fleece fibers and affect the dye. Always use a mild detergent without bleach.
Q: Is it better to air dry or tumble dry a fleece blanket?
Air drying your fleece blanket is preferable; however, if you are tumble drying the blanket, remember to use the lowest heat settings available on the dryer.
Q: How do you remove stains from a fleece blanket?
Spot cleaning is a great way to remove stains from a fleece blanket. Use a damp cloth with a gentle detergent to blot the stain, then rinse with clean water and air dry.