Step-by-step instructions on how to wash a sheep's wool blanket at home

A sheepskin blanket has remained a popular bedding item for many years. It is light, warm and environmentally friendly.

Once you buy it, you can use it for several decades. However, like any other thing, it tends to get dirty.

About whether it is possible and how to wash a blanket made from sheep wool, which detergent to choose and how not to spoil it during the drying process, read the article.

Can it be processed by machine or by hand?

Hand wash applies to quilted and full woven items from sheep wool. This method of processing is the most gentle, so it will not harm the products.

However, hand-washing a massive blanket, which increases its weight 5 times after contact with water, is quite difficult. Therefore, a completely reasonable question arises about whether machine washing is permissible.

To answer this, you need to understand exactly what technology was used to make the blanket. Depending on this, the method of caring for the product will differ.

Quilted

With this method of sewing, the wool base is placed in a fabric cover and stitched along the perimeter and in the center. This reliable method of fixation helps prevent the filler from clumping into a lump and prevents it from moving in one direction or another.

Whole woven

A full woven blanket can only be washed by hand. It is a homogeneous fabric made from sheep wool.

Before you begin caring for the product, you need to read the information on the label.

The composition of the bedding is of fundamental importance. If it is pure wool, without the addition of synthetic fibers, then the product cannot be loaded into the washing machine.

Fur

When making fur products, pile is woven into a solid woven base. This gives the blanket a soft feel. It looks very attractive. However, such items cannot be washed either by hand or by machine.

They can only be cleaned dry. If you cannot cope with the task on your own, you can contact a dry cleaner.

The best remedy

When choosing a detergent for machine or hand washing a sheep wool blanket, you need to pay attention to the following points:

1. Release form. The powder must be liquid. Such compositions “work well” in cool water, dissolve quickly and are thoroughly washed out of the fabric fibers. Their use helps prevent the formation of white streaks on the product.
2. Washing temperature. Choose those products that are activated in cool water (not higher than 30 degrees).
3. Presence of bleach in the composition. The gel should not contain aggressive components. It is better to give preference to classic care products for colored fabrics.

Top 3 products for washing sheep wool blankets:

1. Gel Laska wool and silk. This liquid powder is suitable for hand and machine wash. It contains no aggressive components.

   Surfactants, phosphonates and enzymes are responsible for cleansing. The cost of 1 liter of gel is about 250 rubles.

2. Balm Nordland for wool and silk. The product is used for hand and machine washing. It does not harm delicate natural fibers, giving them softness and a pleasant aroma. This biodegradable and hypoallergenic gel costs about 320 rubles per 0.75 liter bottle.
3. Liquid Villi for washing wool and delicate fabrics . There is a gel designed to care for colored and white items. The product is activated at a temperature of 30 degrees. The cost of a 0.75 liter bottle is 140 rubles.

Any of these detergents can be purchased at a retail store, in the household chemicals department.

Machine washable

Before you start washing a sheep's wool blanket, you need to correctly estimate its weight and size.

Automatic washing instructions sheep wool blankets:

• wash difficult stains by hand;
• load the product into the drum of the washing machine;
• pour liquid detergent into the compartment;
• set the water temperature to 30 degrees, you can select the “Wool” or “Delicate Wash” mode;
• turn off the spin and turn on the extra rinse function;
• start the wash cycle;
• after its completion, the blanket is allowed to drain in the bathroom and sent to dry.

You can machine wash a quilt, but before you put it in the drum, you need to make sure that the manufacturer allows this type of treatment.

Manual processing

Hand washing is the only possible way to care for a one-piece sheep's wool product.This process is carried out in the bathroom, since finding another container that would fit in size is quite problematic.

Step-by-step algorithm of actions:

• fill the bath with water, it should be cool;
• dissolve detergent in it;
• soak the product for 30-90 minutes, it all depends on the degree of contamination;
• difficult areas can be additionally washed by hand;
• work through the entire blanket with your hands;
• Change the water several times to rinse the powder thoroughly;
• Additionally, you can pour it on the blanket from the shower;
• leave the product in the bathroom until the water drains from it - to speed up this process, you need to turn it over several times.

Dry cleaning

Fur cannot be washed. They do not tolerate contact with water, so to care for them you can resort to the method dry cleaning.

For this you need to purchase a special product with lanolin, for example, Luxus Professional Carpet Cleaner spray (cost - about 150 rubles per 0.5 l).

Despite the fact that the composition is used for caring for carpets, it does an excellent job of removing stains on a sheep's wool blanket.

Mode of application:

1. Vacuum the product.
2. Distribute the composition evenly over it. If the blanket is very large, then it is more convenient to process it in square meters.
3. Rub the surface of the blanket with a damp sponge to form foam. Wait until it is completely absorbed.
4. Leave the product to dry for 3 hours. It must remain unfolded.
5. Vacuum the entire treated surface.
6. Hang bedding in fresh air.

This way you can quickly and safely clean your fur blanket without resorting to dry cleaning.

How to remove difficult stains?

If stains appear on the product, but in general it does not need to be washed, you can remove them using safe means at hand, including:

1. Laundry soap solution. It is grated and diluted with water until a thick paste is obtained. To enhance the effect, you can add a small amount of shampoo. The resulting composition is applied to the stain and left for 30 minutes.
2. Salt, soda and liquid soap. All components are mixed in equal proportions and applied to the stain for 1 hour.
3. Ammonia. A cotton pad is moistened with it and the stain is treated until it disappears completely.
4. Turpentine. It is used by analogy with ammonia.
5. Lemon juice. Use it only to remove stains from white or light-colored items. The juice is applied to the stain and left to act for 30 minutes.

How to dry it after?

After washing, you need to dry the blanket properly. This process requires certain knowledge:

• The product should be dried only after all the water has completely drained;
• it is laid out on a flat surface with a terry towel placed underneath; it needs to be changed as it gets wet;
• during the drying process, the product is turned over several times;
• when the bulk of the water has evaporated, the blanket can be hung on a rope to dry it;
• Do not place it near heat sources, near a radiator or gas stove.

If after drying the bedding has lost its shape, you need to shake it several times and beat it with your hands.

Helpful information

Tips that may come in handy to all owners of sheep wool blankets:

1. If you don’t have washing gel on hand, you can use hair shampoo, which needs to be thoroughly lathered. It can only be used for hand washing.
2. It is difficult to wash a double wool blanket alone. You need to involve someone from your household in this activity.
3. Difficult stains should not be attempted to be scrubbed off with a rough brush. To care for the product, use a soft foam sponge or your own hands.
4. Before you start cleaning your blanket with a new detergent, you should test it on an inconspicuous area of ​​the fabric.

Conclusion

A sheepskin quilt is machine washable, a full woven blanket is hand washable, and a fur blanket is dry clean only.

By following simple tips, you can keep your blanket clean and use it for many years.