How To Wash Furry Blanket? 2 Best Methods To Know

There are two methods for how to wash furry blanket properly. You can wash it by hand or in a washing machine, but it’s always best to check the blanket’s tag. We have also written about the best way to wash faux fur blankets for your additional information. 

But what about natural fur maintenance? Please continue reading below because we will also share some tips to keep your furry blanket, faux or not, in the best shape. 

How To Wash Furry Blanket

 

How Do You Wash A Furry Blanket?

 

Handwashing

The safest way to wash a furry blanket and other fur items is by hand washing. You can be as gentle as possible without aggravating the furry material that can ruin it. Fill a tub with cold water and add some mild detergent for mixing. 

Place your furry blanket in the water for 15 minutes and then drain. Replace with clean water to rinse the fur blanket and repeat until there is no more soapy residue. Place the furry blanket in between dry towels to soak the excess water.

Brush the furry blanket while it’s still damp and dry outside. 

 

Machine washing

Check the tag of the fur blanket if the care instructions allow machine washing. If it does, use a top-loading washing machine to avoid accidentally damaging the fur material. Select the delicate cycle and use a mild detergent with cold water.

Never use bleach or any harsh detergents. Rinse without adding fabric softener and finish the cycle. You may need a second spin cycle to eliminate the water that the furry blanket absorbed. 

 

How to dry a furry blanket

You can check the blanket tag for the proper drying practice because using a dryer may not be recommended for fur blankets. High heat can damage the fibers or deform the furry blanket. The best way to dry it is to remove the water the blanket soaked using towels and then dry it over a clothesline. 

Avoid direct heat from the sun or other heat sources and only reuse the furry blanket once dried completely. You can also brush it while still damp before letting it dry. Fluff the dried fur blanket before use.

 

How Do You Get Musty Smell Out Of Faux Fur?

 

Ventilate

If you notice that your faux fur blanket has a musty odor, you can freshen it by aerating it outside. Let the blanket ventilate to help the faux fur material dry as dampness can cause a musty smell. You can also sprinkle baking soda all over the faux fur blanket to absorb the odor as you ventilate it. 

 

Baking soda

Leave the faux fur blanket with baking soda overnight and dust the powder off the next day. Repeat the process if necessary, and remember the ideal practices to keep the faux fur from smelling musty. Always let it dry completely and store the blanket on something breathable like a cotton bag. 

You can even shake the faux fur material from time to time to freshen it and reshape it. Do you also notice a musty smell on your mattress? Mold and mildew might be to blame, so here is how to deodorize a musty mattress.

 

How Do You Clean A Real Fur Blanket?

The best way to clean fur, especially an actual fur blanket, is by checking the manufacturer’s care instructions. Unlike faux fur or other synthetic fuzzy blankets such as Sherpa, you can’t wash a real fur blanket by hand or in a washing machine. The material has natural oils that can be removed with traditional washing practices and detergents. 

Real fur doesn’t require cleaning as often, but you need to get it professionally treated if it has stains, odor, or excess dirt. What’s left to do is to condition the coat and replace the natural oils it has lost. The process is called glazing to help restore the fur’s luster.  

 

How Do I Know If My Fur Is Real?

You can only understand how to wash furry blanket correctly if you’re sure of the material you have. Is your blanket faux fur or real fur? It’s easy to spot real fur because it will be directly attached to the base when you try to separate it. 

On the contrary, faux fur will have fabric webbing. You can also cut off some fibers and burn them to see if they will smell like burnt hair. And finally, always check the label for the product’s authenticity. 

 

How Do You Store Fur At Home?

After washing and drying the fur material, you might need to store it for a long time. The proper storage practice is to find a dark and cool place without direct heat, high temperatures, or humid conditions. It would be best if you also used a breathable cloth bag without mothballs during storage. 

If you have a wool blanket, here are the best practices for drying and storing wool

 

Conclusion

Fur blankets are unrivaled when it comes to coziness. However, you have to know how to wash furry blanket correctly to keep them in the best condition. Check the tag and use cool water and mild detergent to avoid ruining the fur material. 

You should also dry and store your fur blanket properly to avoid developing a musty smell. And if you have a real fur blanket, get it cleaned by a professional.