It only takes three steps to understand how to wash an Afghan blanket. Even though an Afghan is considered a throw blanket, you should still keep it clean to ensure that it stays looking good as new. This blanket may be more commonly treated as a decoration, but it doesn’t mean you can skip out on washing it regularly.
An Afghan blanket is typically knitted or crocheted. Therefore, you can’t wash it randomly, or it may lose its structure. Prepare your washing machine using our three-step guide below:
How To Wash An Afghan Blanket Correctly
1. Check your blanket
Please check its tag for any possible cleaning indications before putting your Afghan blanket in the washing machine. If you crocheted or knitted the blanket yourself, take note of the yarn type you used to wash it at the ideal water temperature, setting, and detergent.
Afghan blankets made of wool and some cotton yarns are better to be hand-washed to maintain their integrity. But if you’re using synthetic materials such as acrylic and certain cotton yarns, you should be safe to place the Afghan in cool water and gentle detergent in the washer.
2. Finish the washing cycle
The ideal setting for an Afghan blanket in the washing machine is the delicate cycle. It would also be best to wash it alone because other items may have parts that can snag the yarn. Run the cycle, and you can proceed to rinsing and drying.
Before anything else, can you use a fabric softener on Afghan blankets? Some synthetic materials are safe with fabric softeners. They are even beneficial for Afghans with tassels because fabric softeners can prevent tangles.
3. Rinse and dry the blanket
After finishing the cycle, you can air-dry the Afghan or put it in the dryer. However, do note that synthetic yarns are the only safe materials to dry in the dryer. Place these types of blankets in a mesh bag before using the dryer at the low heat setting.
If you can’t use the dryer for your blanket, lay it out somewhere and ensure that you turn it periodically to dry thoroughly. It’s best not to hang the Afghan to keep its shape, so put it over a plastic-covered surface with some towels. And if your Afghan has tassels or fringe, comb through them with your fingers to remove the tangles.
Can You Machine Wash An Afghan?
Much like with other crocheted projects, you must be careful before placing the Afghan in the washing machine. You also want to use a washer without a center agitator to prevent getting the blanket stretched out. Blankets that use acrylic and synthetic yarn should be compatible in the washing machine, while those that use natural materials are better hand-washed.
How to hand wash an Afghan blanket
- Fill a basin with cold water mixed with some detergent
- Submerge the Afghan blanket in the water and swish it around without wringing
- Drain the liquid from the basin and replace it with cold water
- Rinse the Afghan blanket and change the water until it turns clear
- Gently squeeze the blanket to get rid of excess liquid and press a rolled towel onto it to absorb more water
- Place the blanket over a flat surface with towels and turn the blanket once another side is dry. Replace the blankets if they’re soaked
- Check if your crochet has loosened up and push the yarn together. Reshape the blanket to restore its form and ensure that it has dried thoroughly for 24 hours or more before using
How Do You Get The Musty Smell Out Of An Afghan?
If you noticed that your Afghan blanket smells musty, you could give it a deep cleaning according to our hand-washing and machine-washing guide. Some materials are also safe to be used with vinegar and then baking soda. The baking soda will neutralize the musty smell further and the lingering sour odor from the vinegar.
Why does my Afghan blanket smell musty?
There are many reasons why your crochet or knitted blanket has developed a musty odor. The most common culprit is mold or mildew that can grow if your blanket is damp and didn’t dry thoroughly. You might’ve also spilled liquid on the blanket, and you forgot to treat it immediately.
Be sure that you also store your Afghan blanket in a place with good air circulation. Regularly ventilating the blanket is a good practice to ensure that the materials are dry and prevent the build-up of nasty stuff on the blanket’s crevices.
How Do You Wash A Blanket Without Ruining It?
The best way to wash a blanket without accidentally deforming it or ruining the texture is by checking the cleaning tag. If you’re using a crochet blanket, different types of yarn have ideal cleaning procedures. You may not even need to wash the blanket often, and shaking it out is enough.
Conclusion
Afghan blankets should always stay clean to retain their shape and color. You have just learned how to wash an Afghan blanket the best way by hand or with a washer. Be sure to check your material for its ideal washing procedures.
The key is to use the appropriate detergent and water temperature when cleaning your Afghan. It would be best if you also dried it flat to ensure that it won’t get misshapen.