Everyday use of the blanket leads to the fact that it collects dust and other impurities. Over time, a favorite thing can turn into a breeding ground for microorganisms and a collection of allergenic irritants, which can only be eliminated by urgent cleaning. The methods of its implementation depend on the material from which the blanket is made, but in most cases you can figure out how to wash a blanket in a washing machine. The washing rules will be discussed later.

At what temperature should the plaid be washed in the machine

The washing temperature directly depends on the material from which the blanket is made, and in most cases it will be correct to follow the recommendations on the label. What to do if for some reason the label is missing or it is not possible to understand what is written on it:

  • For the most sensitive fur, woolen and cashmere products, the temperature should not exceed 30˚С. It is not recommended to wash such things in a machine, but if you really need to, you can risk it.
  • When washing covers made of dense natural materials, for example, linen or cotton, a temperature of 30-40 ˚С is allowed. You should not exceed it, because there is a possibility of a decrease in the size of the product.
  • Microfiber covers can be washed at a temperature of up to 40-60 ˚С. But you should not set the maximum value, if it does not confirm the label.
  • Faux fur or plush products can be cleaned at a temperature not exceeding 40 ˚C, unless the label says otherwise. In case of its absence, it is better not to take risks and wash at thirty degrees.
  • In the vast majority of cases, the synthetic plaid normally tolerates temperatures up to 40 ˚C and is also easy to wash in a washing machine, as well as by hand.
  • What can you say about terry products, for which processing with high temperatures is undesirable and the optimal value for them will be a value that does not exceed 30 ˚С.

How to wash a plaid in a washing machine

How to wash a plaid made of natural materials

Such fabrics as linen, cotton and similar do not require any specific care rules, however, it is better to follow the following recommendations:

  • A gentle temperature regime to prevent fabric shrinkage.
  • Brightly colored products should be properly cleaned with enzymes. Such products perfectly cope with pollution and restore color saturation.
  • Ordinary powder and oxygen bleach are suitable for washing light colored bedspreads.
  • A woolen blanket can be machine washed only in the most extreme cases and if the label does not contradict it. For washing woolen clothes, most units have a special mode – “Wool”, and we choose it. The temperature is no more than 30 ˚C and no spin. You can’t squeeze with your hands either. Dry on the floor, having previously leveled the ends.
  • To avoid unpleasant surprises, even with such strong materials as linen and cotton, it is better to refrain from wringing. This will slightly increase the duration of the cleaning process, but the thing washed in this way will look better and last longer.

Silk also belongs to natural materials, but it is extremely undesirable to wash it in an automatic machine, especially in hot water. The best option for silk is hand washing in cold water with shampoo or a special product and drying time on a flat surface is reduced.

Washing synthetic materials

Before washing a synthetic blanket in a washing machine, it is advisable to read the recommendations on the label. Most often, synthetics tolerate washing in a washing machine normally, the main thing is that the product fits freely in the drum, and the temperature of the process does not exceed 40˚C. The washing process is as follows:

  1. We load the product into the drum of the washing machine.
  2. We set the washing mode for delicate materials and the temperature in the range of 30-40 ˚C.
  3. The spin speed can reach maximum values, but it is better to set such values ​​only if it is indicated on the label. If it is not available, it is better not to spin the long-pile plaid, for other products the spin speed should not exceed 400 rpm.
  4. We use only liquid detergents. They penetrate better into the fibers, foam less and heal well. Bright colorful plaids should be washed with detergents for colored materials, without bleach.
  5. When washing a blanket made of synthetics, in order for it to remain soft, it is necessary to add conditioner, but not for blankets made of fleece. This type of material repels dirt and water, and conditioner can completely or partially eliminate the quality.
  6. Acrylic plaid is more resistant to machine washing and the “Synthetics” mode will be the norm for it.

Some synthetic materials require the same care as wool, cashmere or merino. They primarily include fleece and microfiber . Fabrics with a long pile must be cleaned of extraneous particles, which after machine washing become tightly entangled in the blanket and it will be impossible to pull them out without consequences.

how to wash a plaid in a washing machine

Washing large items

Not every large blanket can be washed in an ordinary household washing machine. Checking the possibility of operation is quite simple: if the coverlet is placed in the drum and after that there is still about ¼ of the free space, you can safely start washing. The process is practically no different from the processing of small-sized blankets and consists of the following:

  1. First clean the product from dust and debris (if any). You can do this with a vacuum cleaner or just shake it out on the street or balcony.
  2. The washing mode for large items is no different from the mode for small ones and is set according to the material, and preferably according to the recommendations on the label.
  3. If there are pets in the house that can leave traces of hair on the bedspread, you should monitor this moment and remove the hairs if they are present.
  4. Even if there is free space left in the drum of the machine, you should not add anything else there.

Machine washing a blanket at home is not the best option. Most housewives will prefer hand washing, if of course the thing is dear to them. However, many products tolerate this procedure normally and keep a decent appearance for quite a long time.

How to wash a blanket in a washing machine