Wash Blankets In Washing Machine: As soon as the cold starts, the use of blankets, quilts and woolen clothes increases in every house. As soon as you wake up in the morning, the cold wind starts stinging and as soon as night falls, you start feeling the need for a warm blanket. But sometimes blankets or quilts kept closed for a long time start emitting a slight odor, dust accumulates on them or they start feeling damp. In such a situation, it is not advisable to use them directly, because it may cause skin irritation, allergy or uncomfortable feeling. Therefore, it is very important to clean them before using them in winter. Many people think that washing blankets and quilts is a very difficult process or that one has to take out separate time for it. Some people send them to the washing shop, while others spend hours washing them by hand.
Whereas the truth is that if you have a washing machine, blankets, quilts and woolen clothes can be cleaned very easily at home with a little care. Machine washing not only saves time but also cleans the clothes evenly. By adopting the easy methods mentioned here, you can wash even heavy blankets and quilts thoroughly without any problem.
1. Necessary check before washing
First of all, read the care label of the blanket, quilt or woolen cloth. Instructions given on each fabric may differ. Some items are machine washable, while others require dry cleaning only. If the label does not permit machine washing, do not use the machine. After this it is important to see what is the capacity of your washing machine. Some blankets are light enough to move through the machine easily, but thick quilts or heavy blankets can overload the machine at once. If the quilt is very heavy, it is better to fold it in two. If overloaded, the balance of the machine may get disturbed and washing may not be done properly.
If there is any stain on the blanket, it is beneficial to pre-treat it with mild soap or stain remover. Due to this, stains are easily removed by washing. It is best to wash small woolen items such as socks, gloves or hats in a mesh bag so that they do not get tangled in the machine.
2. Selecting the correct setting and correct water
Special modes are provided for woolen clothes in washing machines like gentle mode, delicate mode or woolen mode. In this mode the machine rotates the clothes slowly so that there is no damage to the fibers. Woolen clothes are very sensitive and their shape can get spoiled by moving at high speed. The temperature of water is also very important. Always use cold or lukewarm water only. Hot water can cause blankets or woolen clothes to shrink or their texture can get spoiled. Many times, hot water also loosens the grip of clothes, due to which they are not able to hold together for a long time.
Choose detergent also wisely. Powder detergent leaves fibers in some clothes, so use liquid detergent. Mild liquid detergent or mild shampoo made for woolen clothes helps in keeping the clothes soft. Due to this, the blanket or quilt remains as fluffy as before.
3. Correct way to put it in the machine
Place the blanket or quilt in the machine in such a way that it is not gathered on one side. Spread it in the drum so that it can rotate and be cleaned from all sides. If it gets accumulated at one place then the machine will become unbalanced and the washing will not be proper.
The shorter the wash cycle, the better it is for woolen clothes. Long and fast cycles can damage the texture of the fabric.
4. Correct method of drying
After completion of washing, the best way is to dry the blanket and quilt in an open, ventilated place. Do not keep them in direct sunlight for too long, because strong sunlight can reduce their softness. It is better to dry in light sunlight or shade.
Hanging woolen clothes on hangers can spoil their shape. Therefore, spread them on a flat surface and dry them. While drying the quilt or blanket, keep turning it occasionally, so that the moisture inside also gets removed quickly.
If it is necessary to use a dryer, always use low heat.
