How to Wash a Crocheted Blanket

Last Updated: March 13, 2022 References

Crocheted blankets add an extra level of coziness to your living space, but they can be tricky to clean correctly. While it may be tempting to throw them into the washer with the rest of your clothes, it's important to tread carefully. Check the yarn label or care tag before deciding to hand or machine wash it. If you're unsure or can't find instructions, err on the side of caution and hand wash it. Then, place the blanket in the dryer set to low heat or let it air-dry for 24 hours.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning the Blanket by Hand

1
Find the yarn wrapper and look for any washing requirements. If you made the blanket yourself, check the yarn's paper wrapper for any special care instructions. Most yarn brands specify the proper way to wash and dry an item made of yarn. While some materials can be cleaned in a washer, materials like wool may be better off hand washed.^{[1]
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- If you can’t find the yarn label, check to see if you have an identical ball of yarn on hand, or one made by the same brand.
- If the blanket wasn't handmade, check for a care tag with special cleaning instructions.
- Always hand wash crocheted items if you can’t find any specific care instructions.
2
Fill a large basin halfway with cool tap water. Place a large tub or bucket underneath a faucet and fill the container with cool water. Don’t let the basin fill up all the way, or else the size of the blanket will make the water overflow. Double-check that the basin is large enough to comfortably hold and submerge your crocheted blanket.^{[2]
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3
Mix 2 teaspoons (9.9 mL) of gentle shampoo into the container. Pour out 2 spoonfuls of mild shampoo into the cool water. Use a spoon or a larger object to stir them together, thus speeding up the dissolving process. Wait at least 5 minutes before adding anything into the basin to ensure that the shampoo has mixed into the water.^{[3]
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- Use 2 teaspoons (9.9 mL) of mild laundry detergent if you don’t want to use shampoo.^{[4]
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4
Place the blanket in the water and let it soak for 1 hour. Take your crocheted blanket and submerge it in the sudsy water. Let the blanket sink, and check that the whole thing is underwater. Let the material soak for around an hour before removing it from the basin.^{[5]
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- Move the container to a place where it can’t be knocked over by children or pets.
5
Twist out the blanket over a sink to get rid of any dripping water. Take the blanket out of the basin and place it over a sink. Use small twisting motions along the length of the blanket to squeeze out any extra water. Don’t wring out the blanket too much, since you don’t want to damage the material in any way.^{[6]
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- Twist enough water out of the blanket so that it’s no longer dripping wet.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Washing Machine

1
Check the yarn label for specific washing machine instructions. Examine the label that came with the yarn used to crochet the blanket. Depending on the material and brand of the yarn, the washing instructions may differ. If the yarn is acrylic-based, there‘s a good chance that it’s safe to put in the washing machine.^{[7]
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- Many yarn types can be machine washed. If you have a specialty or artisan yarn that was recolored by hand, opt for hand washing instead.
- If you purchased the blanket or received it as a gift, see if it has a label with care instructions.
2
Place the blanket in a mesh bag before putting it in the washer. Treat the blanket in the same way you would treat a delicate item. Get a large, mesh laundry bag and put your blanket inside. The bag will keep the handmade material safe and secure while it’s washed.^{[8]
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Research source} Take your item and load it in the top or front your washer, depending on the model.^{[9]
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- If you wash any items with the blanket, make sure that they’re all relatively close in color. The last thing you want is a red sock incident in your load of wash.
- Take this opportunity to wash the rest of your delicate laundry, and add it all in with your blanket. While you definitely shouldn’t be washing crocheted blankets with your normal clothes, it’s okay to include them with other blankets and delicate items.
3
Pour less than 0.25 cups (59 mL) of laundry detergent into the washer. Use the detergent lid or the bottle itself to pour a small amount of product into the machine.^{[10]
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Research source} Try not to overdo it, as too much detergent can degrade the yarn and make it less soft in the long run.^{[11]
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- Place your blanket in a large, mesh laundry bag for an extra layer of protection.
4
Start the cycle with cold water and a delicate spin speed. Adjust your washer’s settings to cold or cool water, along with the gentlest spin speed possible. Most machines have a delicate option, so choose that if you see it. When it comes to spin speed, try to keep it on the lower end. Since you’re dealing with a handmade object, aim for the cycle to be as gentle as possible.^{[12]
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- Avoid washing the blanket in the machine for long periods of time. If needed, you can always hand wash the blanket.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Drying the Blanket

1
Lay the blanket on a rack to let it dry for 1 day. Take your damp, hand washed blanket and spread it over a drying rack. These racks come in many styles, but most involve several horizontal rods that can drape and hold different pieces of laundry. Smooth out the blanket so that it covers the rack in a long, flat layer, and give it around 1 day to air-dry.^{[13]
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- Ideally, let the blanket dry outside. If you don’t have any drying space outdoors, make sure that you put the rack in a corner of your home where there’s a lot of open air. Don’t leave it in the sun for too long, as you don’t want the colors to fade.
2
Place the blanket in the dryer if the care instructions allow it. Take the damp blanket and toss it into the dryer. For some materials, a low, consistent amount of heat is a simple and productive way to dry your blanket if you don’t feel like air-drying it. Put other items in the dryer as needed, but make sure they can be dried at low heat.^{[14]
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- To add an extra layer of protection to your blanket, consider placing it in a large mesh bag before starting the drying cycle.^{[15]
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3
Set your dryer to tumble dry the blanket with low heat. Set your dryer to the lowest heat level possible and use a low or normal spin speed to maintain the beautiful handiwork of your crocheted blanket. Wait for the load to finish and take out the blanket to check for dampness. If it's still damp, continue drying in 5 to 10 minute increments, as needed.^{[16]
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