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How often do you wash your wool blankets? If you're like most people, the answer is "not very often."

The truth of the matter is that a lot of people just don't know how to clean and dry their wool blankets.

Let's talk about why it's so important to take care of those items and then give some tips as to how you can go about doing it.

How To Care for Wool Blankets

Wool blankets are great for those who suffer from allergies or just want a natural, chemical-free material to use on their bed.

However, if you don't know how to take care of them the right way then your blanket will begin falling apart and looking worse than ever before.

Freshening It Up

Unused wool blankets will begin to smell after a while and no, it's not just the result of your dog sleeping on top of it every night.

It can even happen if you store away your blankets between uses because there is still moisture in them that makes for the perfect home for bacteria.

So how do we fix this? One way is to take your blanket outside and give it a good shake.

This will get rid of most of the fine dirt particles that can cause you problems later on, especially if they are allowed to sit for long periods at a time.

Brushing

Brushing wool with a soft-bristle garment brush is another way to freshen it. Make sure you brush along the blanket's grain while the blanket is flat on the floor.

As a result, the wool fibers will be arranged in the same direction, any surface soil and stains will be removed, and the fibers of the blanket will be smoothed.

How To Wash Wool Blankets

It's worth noting that both our pure new wool fluffy blankets and our waterproof wool picnic blankets are machine washable, however, you might not need to do that every time you find dirt on them.

Cleaning Smaller Stains

The best way to clean smaller stains is with a damp cloth and some soap or mild detergent. Just pour the liquid directly onto the stain, rub it gently for about five minutes with a soft cloth, then hang your blanket outside in order to dry.

If you want something more heavy-duty than this, try soaking a cotton ball or sponge in rubbing alcohol before applying it to the stain, and then do the same thing as above.

Hand Washing

If you're dealing with a particularly big stain, then it's probably best to wash your blanket by hand.

Simply fill a bathtub with lukewarm water and add some gentle soap or wool-friendly cleaner.

Make sure the blanket is fully submerged in order to get rid of the dirt that's deep down within it, then allow your blanket to soak for 20-30 minutes before rinsing clean using cold water.

Do not rub the material together as friction is the enemy of wool. Repeat the soak if you need to and rinse the blanket again until you are happy with the results.

Machine Washing

If you're pressed for time, then consider washing your wool blanket in the machine.

Use a gentle cycle with cold water and always add some mild soap or wool wash detergent to help break down any stubborn stains.

You should only wash one or two blankets at once so that they don't get tangled up together while spinning around on the spin cycle, and you should never put them in the dryer as this will destroy your blanket.

It's best to wash wool items separately as colourful clothes might stain them.

How To Dry Wool Blankets

It might seem like a good idea to put your wool blanket in the dryer after you wash it, but this is not recommended.

The best way to dry it is to hang it up on a clothesline outside. Soaked wool becomes quite heavy so make sure the poles holding the line are strong enough to support the extra weight.

Make sure you don't expose your blanket to direct sunlight as this may lead to fading.

Avoid wringing your wool items as this will distort the shape of your blankets.

One way to speed up the drying process is by laying a clean towel on top and then rolling up both together tightly like you would with a sleeping bag or yoga mat.

This will remove large amounts of water and fasten the drying process once you hang it up.

Storing Wool

Last but not least, the way you store your blankets will affect how long they last.

It's best to keep them in a well-ventilated place away from bright light and sources of heat such as radiators or direct sunlight.

Use airtight containers or vacuum bags to store wool items over the long term. Using moth repellent is recommended to ensure against damage by these pests.