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Yes, you can put many throw blankets in the washing machine. The key is to check the care label first. Some throws are machine washable, while others need hand washing, gentle cleaning, or dry cleaning.
The blanket’s material, trim, size, and condition all matter. A simple cotton or polyester throw is often easier to wash than a wool, delicate knit, weighted, or decorated blanket.
Check the Care Label Before Washing
Start with the tag attached to the blanket. Look for instructions about:
- Machine washing
- Water temperature
- Wash cycle
- Bleach
- Drying
- Ironing
- Dry cleaning
Follow the current care label whenever possible. It is more useful than a general rule because two blankets that look similar may have different construction, dyes, trims, or finishes.
If the label says dry clean only, do not put the throw in the washing machine.
Which Throw Blankets Are Usually Machine Washable?
Many everyday throws can be washed in a machine, but you still need to check the label.
Cotton throws
Cotton throws are often machine washable. They may shrink if washed or dried with too much heat.
A gentle or normal cycle may work, depending on the care instructions. Large woven throws can also become heavy when wet.
Polyester and fleece throws
Polyester and fleece blankets are commonly easy to wash. A gentle cycle and mild detergent are often practical choices when the care label allows them.
Too much heat can be hard on some synthetic fabrics. Check the drying instructions before using a hot dryer.
Microfiber throws
Many microfiber throws can go in the washing machine. Avoid guessing about fabric softener, bleach, or high heat. These choices may not suit every product.
Acrylic throws
Some acrylic throws are machine washable. Others need more gentle care to reduce stretching, fuzzing, or damage to the knit.
Wool throws
Be more careful with wool. Some wool blankets are machine washable on a wool or gentle cycle, while others are not.
Heat and rough washing can cause wool to shrink or felt. Felting means the fibers tighten and mat together, which can change the size and feel of the blanket.
Faux fur throws
Some faux fur throws are machine washable, but the pile can be damaged by heat or rough treatment. Follow the label closely.
Knit and crochet throws
A machine may stretch loose knits, snag loops, or pull a handmade blanket out of shape. Some can be washed in a mesh laundry bag on a gentle cycle. Others are better washed by hand.
Weighted throws
Do not assume a weighted blanket can go in your home washer. Its total wet weight may be too much for the machine.
Check the product instructions and your washer guidance. Some weighted blankets have removable washable covers, which can make laundry easier.
How to Wash a Throw Blanket in the Washing Machine
When the care label allows machine washing, these steps work well for many everyday throws.
1. Shake off loose dirt and hair
Take the blanket outside or over an easy-to-clean floor. Shake off crumbs, dust, and loose pet hair.
For a pet-friendly home, removing excess fur before washing can help keep large clumps out of the washer.
2. Check for stains
Look at the blanket before it gets wet. Treat stains only with a product and method that suit the fabric and care instructions.
Avoid scrubbing delicate knits too hard. That can stretch or roughen the surface.
3. Wash the blanket by itself when needed
A bulky throw may wash better alone. This gives it more room to move and rinse.
A small lightweight throw may be washed with similar items if the care label allows it. Avoid packing the washer tightly.
4. Use the recommended water temperature
Cold or cool water is a common gentle choice for many washable blankets, but the care label should guide you.
Hot water may cause shrinking, fading, or other changes in some fabrics.
5. Choose a suitable cycle
A gentle cycle can be a good choice for soft, loosely woven, or knit throws.
A sturdier everyday blanket may allow a normal cycle. Again, follow the label.
6. Use a modest amount of detergent
More detergent does not always mean a cleaner blanket. Too much may be harder to rinse from thick fabric.
Use a laundry detergent that suits the blanket and your washing machine.
7. Dry it according to the label
Some throws can tumble dry. Others should be air dried or laid flat.
Check the care label before using heat. High heat can shrink some fibers, damage faux fur, or change the feel of certain synthetic fabrics.
Learn how to wash a heavy blanket safely by checking its wet weight, care label, washer capacity, drum space, balance, cycle, detergent, and drying needs.
Can a Throw Blanket Be Too Big for the Washer?
Yes. A blanket needs enough space to move during washing.
Do not force a bulky throw into a small machine. A thick blanket can absorb a lot of water and become much heavier during the cycle.
Signs the load may be too large include:
- The blanket barely fits into the drum
- You have to push it down firmly to close the machine
- The blanket cannot move freely
- The washer struggles with the load
- The item remains partly dry during washing
For very bulky throws, check the washer manufacturer’s guidance. A larger-capacity machine may be more suitable.
This matters with thick fleece, oversized knits, heavy wool, and weighted blankets.
Should You Use a Gentle Cycle?
A gentle cycle is often a sensible choice for washable throws because it uses less aggressive movement than many standard cycles.
It may be especially useful for:
- Loose knits
- Decorative throws
- Soft fleece
- Lightweight woven blankets
- Throws with tassels or fringe
However, a gentle cycle is not a way to ignore the care label. A dry-clean-only blanket should not go into the washer just because you choose a gentle setting.
What About Tassels, Fringe, and Decorative Trim?
These details can tangle, snag, or fray in the washing machine.
Before washing, check for:
- Loose tassels
- Open seams
- Beads
- Sequins
- Embroidery
- Long fringe
- Glued decorations
A large mesh laundry bag may help protect some smaller or delicate throws, but only when machine washing is allowed.
Do not wash a blanket with damaged trim until you decide whether the loose area needs repair.
Can You Wash a Throw Blanket With Towels?
Sometimes, but it is not always the best choice.
Towels can be heavy and rough compared with a soft throw. They may also leave lint on some fabrics.
A lightweight cotton throw may handle a mixed load if the care instructions, colors, and fabric types are compatible. A delicate knit or soft decorative blanket is usually better kept away from heavy towels.
When in doubt, wash the throw alone or with similar soft items.
How Often Should You Wash a Throw Blanket?
There is no single schedule for every home.
A throw used every night may need washing more often than one folded over the end of a guest bed. Think about how the blanket is used.
More frequent washing may make sense when the throw:
- Collects pet hair
- Is used by kids
- Is used for snacks on the sofa
- Touches the floor often
- Is shared by several people
- Has visible dirt or odors
A guest-room throw that is mostly decorative may need less frequent washing.
Washing too often can also add wear. Follow the care instructions and wash when the blanket actually needs it.
Common Washing Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring the care label
This is the biggest mistake. Fabric type alone does not tell you everything about how a finished blanket should be washed.
Overloading the washer
A cramped blanket may not rinse well. A heavy wet load may also be unsuitable for the machine.
Using high heat without checking
Heat can shrink, melt, mat, or change some materials.
Using bleach automatically
Bleach is not suitable for every fabric or color. Check the label before using it.
Washing a damaged blanket
Loose seams, open holes, and hanging threads can become worse during a wash cycle.
Drying a delicate knit while hanging
Some wet knits can stretch under their own weight. When the care label calls for flat drying, support the blanket on a flat surface.
A Simple Choice for Beginners
For an everyday machine-washable throw, keep the routine simple:
- Read the care label.
- Check for stains and damage.
- Make sure the blanket fits loosely in the washer.
- Use the recommended water temperature.
- Choose the recommended cycle.
- Use a reasonable amount of detergent.
- Dry exactly as directed.
This approach works well for sofa throws, kids’ blankets, guest-room layers, dorm bedding, and many pet-friendly homes.
The main rule is simple: do not guess when the label gives specific instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a fleece throw blanket in the washing machine?
Many fleece throws are machine washable. Check the care label first. Use the listed water temperature and cycle, and be careful with dryer heat if the label limits it.
Can I wash a throw blanket with clothes?
Sometimes. A small washable throw may be washed with similar fabrics and colors if the machine is not overloaded. Bulky or delicate throws are often better washed alone.
What setting should I use to wash a throw blanket?
Use the setting listed on the care label. A gentle cycle is common for soft or delicate throws, while some sturdy blankets allow a normal cycle.
Can I wash a throw blanket in hot water?
Only when the care instructions allow it. Hot water can shrink, fade, or change some materials. Cold or cool water is often gentler, but the label should guide you.
Can I put a throw blanket in the dryer?
Some can go in the dryer and others cannot. Check the care label before using heat. Certain throws may require low heat, air drying, or flat drying.
Why is my throw blanket still soaking wet after washing?
The blanket may be too bulky for the machine, the load may be unbalanced, or the spin cycle may not have removed enough water. Check your washer guidance before running another cycle, especially with a very heavy wet blanket.
Can I machine wash a throw blanket with tassels?
Possibly, if the care label allows machine washing. Tassels and fringe can tangle or fray, so use extra care and check for loose trim before washing.
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