Plush blankets are soft and cozy for chilly nights, but if you don’t know how to care for them, then you will have to learn how to make a blanket soft again. So to ensure that your blanket will always have the luxurious, cozy feel as when you once bought it, here are some care tips to follow:
Ways On How To Make A Blanket Soft Again
Step #1. Cleaning and washing the blanket
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Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
The washing machine may wash most blankets, but some need to be dry cleaned. You have to follow the manufacturer’s care instructions on the label as they know best how to care for their products, so you know that the instructions they provide are meant to help keep the blankets soft and snuggly.
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Pre-treat stains
A small drop of dishwashing liquid can help treat soiled or discolored areas. Allow the soap to soak for ten to fifteen minutes and blot it gently with a wet paper towel. For greasy or oily residue, sprinkle a small amount of corn starch onto the stain and let it sit for five to ten minutes to absorb the oil or grease.
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Machine-wash your blanket on its own
Fleece and plush blankets should be washed on their own to prevent rubbing with other materials. If you need to wash multiple blankets, make sure that they are separated by material and color.
Washing by material will avoid friction, and your blankets can stay softer, longer. Remember to wash the blankets on a gentle cycle as more aggressive cycles could be too hard on delicate fabrics.
Step #2. Drying your blanket
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Air-dry your blanket
Air-drying is best for fabrics like fleece as it restores the materials to their original state without the risk of heat-related mishaps or damages. However, you have to remember that it may take about 24 hours for a wet fleece or wool blanket to dry.
If you are worried about the weather, you may want to consider laying your newly-washed blanket on your ironing board and leaving it overnight instead.
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Tumble dry on a low or “air-fluff” setting
Tumble drying eliminates moisture without using heat. Avoid timed cycles as they will use the same amount of heat as regular press settings. If your dryer has heat-adjustable settings, opt for the lowest one to avoid shrinking.
Remember that while it may take longer for your blanket to dry completely using the low setting, it will lessen the wear and tear, which means you can use your blanket and keep it soft for a longer period.
Step #3. Caring for and storing your blanket
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Avoid ironing your blanket
High heat can burn or melt the fabrics in your blanket. Even ironing without heat could lead to matting and pilling. Thus, the best way to keep your blanket soft would be to smooth out the wrinkles once it dries.
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Avoid using bleach or harsh chemicals
Bleach is abrasive, and it can make your blanket feel scratchy and brittle over time. It can also ruin the dye on your fabric. Instead, use bleach alternatives such as white vinegar or oxygen-based cleaning products.
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Remove lint or pills using a disposable razor
You can get rid of fleece pills by dragging a disposable razor lightly over the surface of the blanket. However, you have to be careful not to press the razor down too hard to avoid scraping the fabric.
Why Do Blankets Lose Their Softness?
Most people wash fleece blankets in cool water and with a small amount of soap. While you may feel that a lot of soap can help make your blanket cleaner, it can be a problem because the excess soap could settle in the base fibers, making your blanket feel less soft if you are not very thorough with the rinse.
Blankets also lose their softness due to high heat or abrasive chemicals. Heat, such as in the washer or dryer, can create curling or scalloping of the fabric because of the threads’ shrinking. Ironing is not suitable for blankets either, as the iron itself can affect the blanket’s plush pile.
Abrasive chemicals such as bleach can also make your blanket feel scratchy and brittle as they damage the material itself.
Other Ways To Make A Blanket Soft Again
- Using white vinegar. White vinegar helps your blanket restore its softness as it is a safer and more cost-effective alternative than fabric softeners or other commercial products.
- Using dryer balls or tennis balls. Putting in dryer balls or tennis balls with your blankets in a dryer can help fluff your blanket and speed up drying time. These balls are a great eco-friendly and hypoallergenic alternative compared to dryer sheets.
- Hand washing. Hand-washing is a gentler alternative to machine washing your blanket. You have to focus on dirty areas by spot-cleaning. Soaking the blanket in white vinegar will also help loosen fibers and restore the softness of the blanket.
Conclusion
If you are looking for ways on how to make a blanket soft again, the answer is to avoid heat and abrasive chemicals like bleach. Most blankets, either wool, fleece, or even polyester, start off soft and plushy. It is how to keep them soft that you have to worry about, so make sure that you follow your manufacturer’s instructions to keep your blanket softer for the long run.