Caring for Your Blankets
Melissa Ringstaff, Director
Blankets offer warmth and comfort. It is important to properly clean and store your blankets to
maximize their life.
Blankets used on beds between the top sheet and comforter do not need to be laundered as frequently
as blankets used against the skin. Choose blankets that offer warmth and comfort when purchasing them for your bedding.
Some people prefer lightweight blankets and others enjoy snuggling under heavy ones.
Patchwork Quilts, knitted Afgans, and throws can add beauty
to every room of your house. Hang blankets or quilts over the back of a sofa or chair and add instant
color to your room. Pretty quilts are wonderful when properly folded and neatly stacked inside or on top of
wardrobes. You can roll or fold quilts and put in large baskets. You could even hang a beautiful blanket or quilt on your wall.
Use your imagination!
Patchwork Quilts
Patchwork quilts that were lovingly stitched long ago need to be treated with extra care. Quilts should never be dry cleaned.
Dusting your quilt once or twice a year should keep your prized quilt in good condition. Do not beat the dust out, rather cover a
vacuum cleaner hose with a nylon stocking and carefully vacuum the dust out. Store antique quilts on an unused bed, if possible, covered with
a clean sheet or bedspread. Or, spread a clean white cotton sheet on the floor. On top of the sheet, spread the quilt and cover it with a second white
cotton sheet. Carefully fold the quilt and sheets in an accordion fashion. Place quilt in a durable, air tight container such as
a Rubbermaid storage bin.
The handcrafted quilts of today will hold up well for everyday use. When it comes time to wash a quilt, place it in the washing machine and wash in cool
water on the gentle cycle and use a gentle detergent. You may want to pretreat any stains you find and/ or soak the quilt
before completing the wash cycle. Cotton quilts will shrink in the dryer. You can place the quilt in the dryer for a few minutes to remove some of the extra
moisture, but remove it quickly and hang to dry over to rows of clothesline or place in a sunny location on the soft grass. To store your quilts when not in use, place clean neatly folded quilts in a dry linen closet or blanket chest with cedar blocks to prevent moths.
Cotton and Synthetic Blankets
The majority of cotton and synthetic fiber blankets can be washed on a normal cycle
in the washing machine. Be sure to not over crowd the washer to allow full movement of the water.
Place clean blankets in the dryer, using the Permenant Press cycle, or the highest setting available.
Use dryer sheets to prevent static cling and make your blankets softer. To store your cotton blankets,
fold neatly and place in a dry linen closet or blanket chest. Prevent moths by placing blocks of cedar
wood inside the closet or chest. Always wash before storing.
Wool Blankets
Wool requires special care. It is important to read the care label of your wool blankets. Some wool blankets are washable.
Others will need to be dry cleaned. Once wool has been shrunk, there is no way to retrieve the original size - so be careful!
If your wool blanket's care label says that it is machine washable, wash in cold water and lay flat to dry, unless othewise
stated. To store your clean wool blankets, fold neatly and place in a dry linen closet or inside airtight plastic bags. You can place cedar blocks
inside the closet or bag to help prevent moths.
*Remember to replace your cedar blocks when they have lost their smell.*
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