Difficulties of the process: how to wash a cotton blanket at home?

Despite the wide range of bedding made from modern ultra-thin and light fabrics, the wadded blanket is still in demand among buyers.

It is warm and cozy. Under it you can feel protected from the entire outside world.

However, like any other thing, a cotton blanket gets dirty over time, and it also perfectly absorbs dust and absorbs foreign odors. Therefore, caring for it must be regular.

Read the article on how to wash and dry a cotton blanket at home.

Can it be washed?

You can wash a cotton blanket in a machine or by hand. Each method has its own characteristics.

In addition, the following risks must be taken into account:

1. Clumping of filler.
2. Deformation of the product after contact with water and intense rotation in the drum.
3. Difficulty in drying the product. Before you decide to wash, you need to think about where the blanket will dry. If it is not possible to take it out into the fresh air, you need to postpone washing.

If these difficulties do not bother the owner of the quilted blanket, then you can start washing.

Detergent

First you need to decide on a detergent, since regular detergent is not suitable for washing a cotton blanket.To care for the product, use only liquid concentrates or gel capsules.

They dissolve faster in water, clean dirt better and rinse faster. For thick cotton filler, these three qualities are especially relevant.

Top 3 detergents for washing a cotton blanket:

1. Losk. Depending on the color of the blanket, you can choose a detergent for white or colored fabrics. The concentrate is suitable for hand and machine wash. The cost of a 1.3 liter package is 230 rubles.
2. Ariel washing gel. It is a popular, inexpensive and effective detergent that can be used for machine and hand washing.

   The product is activated at temperatures from 30 degrees, so it removes stains well even in cool water. The cost of a 1.04 liter package is about 300 rubles.

3. Persil capsules. They are used only for automatic washing. The capsules contain not only liquid detergent concentrate, but also active enzymes and a stain remover. They are immediately placed in the drum of the washing machine. Use 1 capsule for 1 wash cycle. The cost of a package (14 pieces) is 310 rubles.

This will not increase its effectiveness, but will only provoke excessive foaming. As a result, it will be more difficult to rinse the fabric.

Instructions for processing in an automatic washing machine

If the bedding fits in size, it can be washed in a machine. Step-by-step algorithm of actions:

• knock out the dust from the blanket or vacuum it;
• difficult stains are washed by hand in advance;
• place the product in the drum;
• pour detergent into the compartment;
• set the water temperature to 40 degrees;
• turn on the “Delicate Wash” mode (this option may have different names in different models of washing machines);
• the number of revolutions is set to a minimum (400-500);
• include the “extra rinse” function;
• wait for the washing cycle to complete, remove the item from the drum and send it to dry.

The blanket must be removed from the machine immediately after the sound signal indicates that the wash is finished. The longer it sits without moving, the more the filler will crumple.

How to wash by hand?

Hand washing is recommended with pre-soaking.

Procedure:

1. Before washing, the product is knocked out or vacuumed. If you do not do this, then when the dust gets wet it will penetrate deep into the fibers and it will be difficult to get rid of it.
2. Warm, but not hot water is poured into the bath.
3. Dissolve the detergent in it until a rich foam forms. For hand washing, liquid detergent is also used.
4. Soak the blanket for 30 minutes.
5. After the specified time has passed, take a soft brush and rub all contaminated areas. When the stains are removed, the product is rinsed. The procedure is repeated until dirty soapy water stops flowing from the blanket. You can help yourself with a shower and a brush.
6. Leave the product to drain without removing it from the bath. You can speed up the process if you squeeze it manually.
7. When the bulk of the water has drained, the bedding is sent to dry.

Dry cleaning

Dry cleaning a cotton blanket involves using a minimal amount of liquid, or not using it at all.The procedure can be carried out in several ways:

1. Using a vacuum cleaner. The blanket is spread on a flat surface and vacuumed on both sides. This method allows you to get rid of dust mites that accumulate in the filler.
2. With the help of snow. In winter, the blanket is taken outside, snow is thrown over it, left for a few minutes, and then swept away with a broom. Then the product must be thrown over the crossbar and carefully knocked out on both sides.

   You can repeat the procedure several times. This method allows you to get rid of dust and foreign odors, and the frosty air will destroy all microorganisms.

3. Using starch. It is applied to the surface of the blanket and pressed down with your palms. Leave the product in this form for 12 hours, after which it is thoroughly vacuumed. This method is designed to get rid of dust and unpleasant odors.

Removing stains

If stubborn stains appear on the product, for example, from food or cosmetics, then you can deal with them using improvised means, including:

1. Laundry soap. It is grated and diluted with a small amount of water until a thick paste forms. The composition is applied to the stain and rubbed with a brush. After 30 minutes the area is washed.
2. Hydrogen peroxide. Apply it to a cotton pad and wipe the stain with it until it disappears completely.
3. Soda, salt and vinegar. Soda is mixed with salt, the stain is moistened with plain water and sprinkled with the resulting powder. Rub it in with your fingers and leave for 30 minutes.

   Then vinegar is applied from a spray bottle to the contaminated area, which is rubbed with a brush while the foaming reaction occurs.

4. A mixture of ammonia and glycerin. They are mixed in equal proportions, applied to the stain and left for 20 minutes. Then it is rubbed with a brush and washed in warm water.
5. Dishwashing liquid. It perfectly removes greasy stains. It is applied to a damp spot and rubbed with a sponge until foam forms. After 20 minutes, rub the surface with a brush and rinse in warm water.

When removing stains, do not apply significant force so as not to rub the fabric cover.

Drying rules

It is best to dry the blanket outside by laying it out in the sun. It's good if the weather is windy. This will allow the moisture to evaporate faster.

It should not be dried indoors, but if there is no other choice, then the product is placed next to heating applianceswhich allow you to speed up this process. If the item remains wet for a long time, mold will appear inside and you will have to get rid of the blanket.

Going to dry cleaning

If you don’t want to wash the quilt yourself, you can turn to dry cleaning services. You should entrust bedding to professionals if there are difficult stains on it that cannot be removed at home.

Another reason to dry clean a cotton blanket is its large size. It is impossible to wash such a product in a machine, but it is very difficult to wash it by hand.

The cost of washing a 1.5-bed item is 700 rubles, and a double item is 850 rubles.. The price may vary depending on the city and the specific laundry. It can also be increased if the blanket is heavily soiled.

Adviсe

Useful information that will come in handy to all owners of quilted blankets:

1. The product absorbs foreign odors and dust well. The longer it is used, the more dust mites accumulate in it. Therefore, you need to wash it at least 1-2 times a year, despite all the difficulties.
2. You can place 4-6 tennis balls in the washing machine drum. They prevent the cotton wool from clumping into clumps.
3. Once a month, the blanket should be taken out into the fresh air and dried in the sun.
4. You can get rid of lumps or make them softer by regularly fluffing the blanket. This should be done at the drying stage, when the bulk of the water has drained.

Tips and tricks on how to wash blankets can be found in this section.

Conclusion

Washing a quilted blanket cannot be called an easy process, but if you put in some effort, you can handle this task yourself.

The main thing is to use liquid detergents, rinse thoroughly and dry the product. With regular care, a cotton blanket will last for many years and will delight its owner with warmth and freshness.