The correct procedure for washing a fleece blanket using the machine begins with pre-treatment of stain, then rolling a lint over the blanket, selecting the delicate or gentle cycle and setting water temperature to cool. Proceed to add a mild laundry detergent and finally dry. Follow these steps while observing a number of precautions we list here.
The steps for washing fleece blanket without destroying it include the following:
- Pre-treat stains in the fabric (10-15 minutes)
- Rolling a lint roller over it to remove particles
- Using a gentle delicate washing cycle
- Set water temperature to cool (hot water must be avoided)
- Add a mild laundry detergent
- Air-dry to preserve the fabric for long
So, without wasting any time, let’s jump straight into the exact steps to clean a fleece blanket.
How to Wash Fleece Blanket
1. Pre-treat the stains in the fabric
The first step is to pre-treat stains on the fabric. This stage is important because ensures you cause as less disturbance to the fabric as possible.
How do you pre-treat stain?
Pre-treatment of stain requires a small bit of laundry detergent or a preparation of mild liquid soap. Add just a little dab of soap to the stain, enough to cover it.
All it to settle for roughly 10-15 minutes.
Proceed to bloat up the soap using a towel or clean cloth. You can rinse and repeat this stage until you’re satisfied with the process. If you do not have a towel, use an old t-shirt or a soft sponge.
Do not rub the fleece as it can work the stain deeper leaving you with less chances of removing it.
2. Roll a lint roller over the blanket
Ensure that before putting the fleece blanket into the washing machine, gently roll a lint roller over it. This will trap larger pieces of dust or any type of dirt before washing.
3. Select the gentle or delicate cycle
On the washing machine, select the gentle or delicate cycle. Fleece blankets are prone to damage when rubbed vigorously.
Three of our readers informed us that stronger washing cycles cause the fleece fabric to form knots. That is not what you really want for you cozy bedding.
4. Set water temperature to cool
Go ahead and set the water temperature for washing to cool. If you do not like cold water, make it just a little warm.
Hot water will damage the fleece.
5. Add a mild laundry detergent
Once you have set the washing temperature, add the detergent in the washer. A gentle or mild one is recommended.
Avoid using bleach even if your fleece blanket is white. Bleach is considered too harsh and can instantly ruin the fabric. It can cause pilling or shredding.
I would also like to add that you should avoid adding fabric softener if your intention is to preserve the fleece fibers.
You’re good to begin the washing cycles from here.
6. Transfer fleece blanket to dry
After the washing cycles are over, promptly remove the blanket and set the stage for drying.
Can you dry fleece blanket in machine?
Yes, tumble drying is allowed for the unique type of blanket. While drying using the dryer, set it on gentle cycle with low heat. Using a high heat for drying with damage the fabric.
Ensure that you remove the fleece blanket from the dryer as soon as the machine stops. This will help you avoid the ugly wrinkles I previously witnessed.
Can you iron fleece blankets?
No, never iron a fleece blanket. Ironing the blanket will melt the polyester leaving rough rounded marks on the fleece. In fact I should make it a big no. Don’t even think about bringing the blanket close to a hot surface.
You do not want an unpleasant iron mark or burn on your soft fabric.
How to Dry Fleece Blanket
The best way to dry a fleece blanket is to lay it on a flat surface, then press it down with hands until the water subsides. Proceed to hang the blanket outdoors as this will ensure it dries to a fresh smell.
How make fleece blanket soft again
Do not use softeners as they can be harsh to fleece and damage the fibers.
The natural way to revive an old fleece blanket is to wash it as normal. There is no way to make fleece blanket soft again but you can keep it soft by performing normal washing.
If you want to revive fleece and want to wash it to make it soft again, perform the following steps:
- Begin by putting about ½ cup of baking soda into your washing machine tub and mix with mild laundry detergent.
- Once the baking dissolves, allow put in your fleece and run the regular gentle or delicate washing cycle.
- Make sure the temperature is set to cold. Once the cycles are complete, dry the blanket.
Why do fleece blankets shed?
Fleece blankets shed because of many reasons. These include bad washing practice, excess fabric softener, washing at hot temperature, and strong detergents are known to weaken fleece leading to pilling. When shedding begins or little balls form on the blanket, acquire a fabric shaver which will help your remove the shedding materials.
A disposable razor is a possible alternative for clearing shedding blanket.
Why do fleece blankets pill and get rough?
The main reason for pilling of fleece blankets is that it is made from polyester fabric. Low-quality fleece tends to be thin and pill or shed more, especially when it is not tightly woven. The other reason for this loss of softness is due to bad washing methods. Using hard water for cleaning, doing laundry at hot temperatures, using a dryer, cleaning with excessive detergent, and bleaching could cause pilling and damage softness.
Should I iron my fleece blanket?
You should not iron fleece blanket or any other clothing made of the fabric. Fleece blankets do not wrinkle, therefore, you do not need to iron them. Also, fleece is easily damaged by heat.
Using hot iron will lead to visible damage to the fabric and eventually leave your regretting having spent your money on it.
How do you wash fleece blanker without pilling?
To prevent pilling and maintain the super-soft feel of fleece, wash the blanket separately, preferably by hand in cold water. If you have to use machine, set it to a gentle cycle. While washing, make sure to add only a small amount of detergent.
Excess soap will damage the softness of the fleece without necessarily making it any cleaner.
In fact, cleaning fleece with too much detergent is a bad idea since it could stick to the fibers of your blanket and won’t rinse completely making it feel less soft.
If you follow those steps correctly, you’ll be able to preserve the original strength and softness of the fleece for long.
Should you use bleach for fleece blankets?
You should not use bleach for fleece blankets. Bleaching fleece blankets should be avoided because bleach can damage the fibers and cause the dye to shed off the fabric.
Since fleece made from polyester is naturally stain-resistant, washing in cold water with just a little detergent should make the blanket clean.
Can I wash fleece blanket?
Yes, it is okay to wash fleece blanket. However, make sure that you do the washing only once a season and using cold water. When the cleaning is too frequent, the fabric will get damaged fast and you might have to purchase a new one too soon. I’ve heard people wondering: is it okay to wash fleece blanket?
But the answer is a yes but you must take a number of precautions during the washing process.
So, what are the steps of cleaning fleece without ruining it?
Ever purchased an incredibly comfy fleece blanket that you get scared at the thought of washing it because you might ruin it? If you haven’t, I have. In this post, I will demonstrate how to use a washing machine to clean your fleece blanket.
It does not matter how soft and fuzzy your blanket is. We shed dead skin cells, our hair break, pets mess around, there is dust around and body oils are also inevitable. At one point, you’re going to have to wash it.
Final remarks
Due to the high risk of pilling, always try to get high quality fleece labeled as ‘luxe’ or ‘plush.’ These types tend to be more durable and will not shred easily. However, it does not mean that you can go ahead and wash the blanket carelessly.