Best way to wash wool blankets?

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I just picked up some really nice wool blankets at a thrift shop for a great price. Can I wash them in cold water and hang them out to dry or should I have them dry cleaned? I don't want to ruin them. Thanks.

Dark

-- Dark (darkdakota@aol.com), December 12, 2001

Answers

I don't recommend dry cleaning for wool. Dry cleaning fluids are hard on wool.

Are they felted wool blankets? If so, gentle cycle with cold water is fine. Do not put in the dryer.

If the blankets are very dirty or you wish to sanitize them, then fill you washing machine with hot water and detergent, then add the blankets. Let them soak, but not agitate. Before the water gets lukewarm, turn the cycle to spin and let all the water spin out. Remove the blankets. To rinse, fill the washing machine with hot water again, put the blankets in and let soak again. Again before the water turns lukewarm, turn to spin cycle. Dry by hanging on a line.

Depending on the condition and type of wool blanket they may be able to take a little agitation. My instructions are for any type of wool that you don't want to felt or shrink and needs to be cleaned.

-- R. (thor610@yahoo.com), December 13, 2001.


I usually wash my wool blankets on a delicate cycle or slowly in a wringer washer but I don't use soap. I use people shampoo ! Isn't wool just the "hair" from the sheep?? It rinses out nicely and smells good too. Hang on the line outside but try not to use clothes pins on the very ends of the blanket that could pull it out of shape....otherwise fold over a little then pin it. Good Luck !!!

-- Helena (windyacs@ptdprolog.net), December 13, 2001.

I make a correction on my above statements. Don't use detergent. Use shampoo or a soap made for wool. This does not mean Woolite - Woolite is not made for wool. It is made for nylon. An example of a soap made for wool is Eucalan. There are others advertised in magazines such as Spin Off which deal with wools.

The thought is that wool is very much like hair and can take shampoo.

-- R. (thor610@yahoo.com), December 13, 2001.


freshen between washings by hanging in the rain. if your freezer [chest type works best] is not full in the summer - fold wool blankets and put on top of frozen food. kills anything wanting to make a meal of the blankets. My freezer is [loosely] in 3 sections - meat, vegs, fruits - with a folded blanket over each.

-- carol (kanogisdi@yahoo.com), December 14, 2001.

Question-- I thought hot water is what shrinks wool?

-- Debbie in Mo (risingwind@socket.net), December 14, 2001.


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