How Often Should You Wash Your Blankets? The Perfect Washing Schedule

How often should you wash your blankets? Let’s be honest – you sleep with these fabric companions every night, but when was the last time you cleaned them? Your blankets collect dead skin cells, sweat, and oils that can turn them from cozy to kind of gross faster than you might think.

How Often Should You Wash Your Blankets? The Real Deal On Blanket Washing Schedules

1. Lightweight Cotton, Cozy Plush Fleece, And Arctic Fleece Blankets

Your lightweight cotton blankets and those super soft fleece throws need more attention than you’re probably giving them. Wash these guys every 1-2 weeks, especially if you’re cuddling with them directly against your skin.

These materials are magnets for your body oils, dead skin, and whatever else you bring to bed. The breathable, absorbent fibers trap sweat and oils, creating perfect little homes for dust mites and bacteria. Left unwashed, they can trigger allergies and affect your sleep quality.

Quick Tip: Just toss them in your washer with mild detergent on a gentle cycle – easy peasy!

Yes That Blanket’s Recommendation: Our Cozy Plush Fleece Blanket and Arctic Fleece Blanket deliver superior softness while remaining easy to maintain with regular washing. Check out Yes That Blanket’s selection for a blanket that stays fresh with proper care!

2. Bed Blankets (Used Between Sheets and Comforter)

Got a blanket sandwiched between your top sheet and comforter? You can stretch cleaning to every 3-4 weeks. Your sheet creates a barrier that helps protect the blanket, but don’t push it beyond a month.

Even with sheet protection, your nighttime perspiration still reaches these blankets, and allergens build up over time. That top sheet helps, but it’s not a magical force field – oils and skin cells still make their way through.

Affecting Factors: Using a top sheet extends the time between washes. No top sheet? Move these blankets into the “wash more frequently” category.

3. Wool Blankets

Your wool blankets might seem cleaner and longer thanks to wool’s natural dirt-fighting properties, but don’t be fooled! Give them a good wash every 2-3 months. The natural lanolin in wool offers some resistance to dirt and odors, but this doesn’t make it self-cleaning. Wool still collects dust, skin cells, and allergens that need regular removal.

Special Considerations: Wool requires careful handling to prevent shrinking or felting of your blanket. Always check the care label!

Heads Up: Many wool blankets need hand-washing or professional dry cleaning. Taking shortcuts here often leads to ruined blankets.

4. Down or Down Alternative Blankets

These fluffy wonders need cleaning every 3-6 months. The real challenge isn’t just how often but how to wash them properly without destroying all that cloud-like loftiness you love. These insulating blankets demand special attention because improper washing can permanently damage their ability to keep you warm. So, always use gentle cycles and appropriate drying methods to maintain that perfect loft and warmth.

Pro Tip: Using a duvet cover? Smart move! That will keep the actual blanket cleaner longer and significantly extend the time between necessary washes.

5. Premium Plush Blankets And Premium Mink Sherpa

Those premium plush blankets that feel like heaven? They need love every 3-4 weeks if you use them regularly. Yes, they’re special, but they still collect your dead skin cells just like the cheaper ones do!

These luxury blankets combine exceptional softness with durability but require consistent maintenance to keep that plush texture you paid extra for. Therefore, you should follow manufacturer instructions meticulously.

Care Secret: Cold water wash and low-heat drying keeps them feeling dreamy wash after wash.

Our Recommendation: Our Premium Mink Sherpa Blanket offers exceptional softness with proper care. The unique construction maintains its plush feel even after multiple washings when following our care instructions!

6. Throw Blankets

Cleaning needs are significantly influenced by usage patterns. For instance, throws blankets kept on frequently used furniture like couches require more cleaning due to direct skin contact, food exposure, and overall higher use compared to throws in less trafficked areas. Couch throws, which often encounter snacks, pets, and frequent lounging, should be washed every 2-4 weeks.

Quick Tip: Fold and store throws you’re not using to keep them cleaner longer. This simple habit can extend the time between washes.

7. Decorative Blankets

Since the fancy blanket that’s primarily for show doesn’t get much handling, it requires less frequent washing than functional blankets. A reasonable cleaning schedule for these primarily aesthetic pieces is every 3-6 months or when you’re refreshing your decor with the changing seasons. For these less-used items, spot-cleaning can often address minor marks between full washes.

Special Considerations: Some decorative blankets have delicate embellishments or materials that require special care. Always check labels before washing.

When To Wash Your Blanket Sooner (Regardless of Type)?

Don’t wait for the schedule if:

• Visible stains or spills appear (especially red wine or coffee!)
• Your blanket smells funky.
• You or someone in your home has been sick
• That blanket is your pet’s favourite

Specific incidents will always take priority over any regular washing schedule. For example, stains will set deeper and become more difficult to remove the longer they remain untreated. Furthermore, hygiene is paramount – no one wants to cuddle with a blanket that someone has been sick on!

Key Factors That Affect Your Blanket Washing Schedule You Should Know

1. Personal Habits

Your daily routines and personal habits play a crucial role in determining how quickly your blankets get dirty.

• If you’re someone who sweats heavily during sleep, your blankets will need more frequent washing than those of people who don’t.
• Similarly, showering before bed makes a significant difference – clean bodies transfer fewer oils and skin cells to your bedding.
• Do you enjoy midnight snacks or breakfast in bed? Food crumbs and occasional spills mean your blankets need washing sooner rather than later.
• Even applying lotions or body oils before sleep affects how quickly your blankets collect residue that can attract dust and allergens.

2. Environmental Conditions

The environment in your home directly impacts how often you need to wash your blankets.

• High humidity levels create perfect conditions for mildew and bacteria growth in fabric fibers, meaning those living in humid climates should wash blankets more frequently.
• Poor air circulation in your bedroom allows dust to settle on surfaces, including your blankets, rather than being filtered out.
• Homes with open windows might experience more pollen and outdoor allergens collecting on bedding.
• Even the season affects your washing schedule – summer months typically require more frequent washing due to increased perspiration, while winter blankets might collect fewer contaminants if you’re showering before bed and staying mostly covered.

3. Allergies and Sensitivities

If you or family members suffer from allergies or respiratory sensitivities, your blanket washing schedule needs special attention.

• Dust mites, pet dander, and pollen particles collect in blanket fibers and can trigger allergy symptoms or asthma attacks in sensitive individuals.
• People with skin sensitivities may react to the buildup of detergent residue, skin cells, or dust that accumulates between washings.
• For allergy sufferers, we recommend washing blankets at higher temperatures (when fabric allows) to kill dust mites and remove allergens more effectively.

In these cases, extending the time between washes isn’t worth the potential health impact – stick to the more frequent end of washing recommendations for your blanket types.

4. Essential Tips For Extending The Timespan Of A Wash Blanket

1. Use protective layers like top sheets or duvet covers – they’re easier to wash than bulky blankets
2. Air out blankets regularly by hanging them outside on a sunny, breezy day – UV light naturally kills some bacteria and helps eliminate odors
3. Address spots and spills immediately with spot cleaning instead of letting them set into the fabric

FAQs

1. What Happens If You Do Not Wash Your Blankets?

If you don’t wash your blankets regularly, they can become breeding grounds for dust mites, bacteria, and allergens, leading to potential health issues like skin irritation, allergies, and even asthma, not to mention unpleasant odors.

2. How Long Can I Go Without Washing My Blanket?

You can go without washing your blanket within 3 months maximum for regularly used blankets. However, if you don’t use it much or it’s only lightly soiled, you could go longer.

3. Should Blankets Be Washed Alone?

Yes, washing blankets alone is often best to prevent damage and lint transfer to other clothes. Large blankets also need enough space for proper cleaning.

4. Is It OK To Leave Newly Washed Blankets To Dry Naturally Overnight?

Yes, if the blanket has good airflow and enough time to dry completely overnight. Avoid this in humid conditions to prevent mildew.

5. Is It OK To Put Blankets In A Washing Machine?

Yes, Most blankets are machine washable, but always check the care label for specific instructions on temperature and cycle to avoid damage.

This Is The End Of Our Article

How often should you wash your blankets depends on the type you have and how you use them, but now you have a realistic schedule to follow. Yes That Blanket are sure that your future well-rested self will thank you for taking this simple step toward a healthier sleep environment!