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Pilling and shedding usually happen when loose fibers rub, break, and collect on the blanket’s surface. To reduce the mess, wash the blanket gently, keep it away from rough fabrics, use low heat, and remove loose fibers before they land on your clothes.
Some blankets shed heavily because of their fabric or construction. You may reduce it, but you may not be able to stop it completely.
First, Know Whether the Blanket Is Pilling or Shedding
These problems look similar, but they are not the same.
Pilling creates small balls of tangled fiber on the blanket. It often happens where the fabric rubs against your body, sheets, clothing, or furniture.
Shedding means loose fibers come off the blanket and stick to your clothes, bedding, or floor.
A blanket can do both at the same time. Fleece, flannel, wool blends, chenille, sherpa, and loosely woven blankets may be more likely to shed or pill than tightly woven fabrics.
Wash the Blanket Before Using It
A new blanket may have loose fibers left from manufacturing. Washing it before regular use can remove some of them.
Always check the care label first. Then:
- Wash the blanket by itself.
- Choose cold or cool water unless the label says otherwise.
- Use a gentle cycle.
- Add a small amount of mild detergent.
- Run an extra rinse if the blanket still feels soapy.
- Dry it according to the care label.
Do not wash a shedding blanket with dark clothes, towels, or other bedding. The loose fibers may spread through the whole load.
A second separate wash may help with a new blanket that sheds heavily. However, repeated washing will not fix a fabric that is naturally loose or poorly made.
Use Less Friction in the Washer
Friction is one of the main causes of pilling. A crowded washer makes the blanket rub against the drum and other items.
Wash the blanket alone or with one or two similar soft items if the care instructions allow it. Make sure the blanket has enough room to move.
Avoid washing it with:
- Jeans
- Towels
- Clothing with zippers
- Hook-and-loop fasteners
- Rough jackets
- Items with exposed hooks or buckles
Close any zippers on the blanket before washing. If it has a removable cover, turn the cover inside out to protect its outer surface.
A very delicate throw may fit inside a large mesh laundry bag. Check that the bag is roomy enough for the blanket to move and rinse properly.
Avoid High Heat
High dryer heat can weaken some fibers and increase pilling or shedding. It may also damage fleece texture or cause some blankets to shrink.
Use air drying or a low-heat dryer setting when the care label allows it. Remove the blanket as soon as it is dry. Leaving it tumbling for longer than needed creates more rubbing.
For a large blanket, stop the dryer once or twice and untangle it. This helps it dry more evenly.
Make sure the blanket is fully dry before folding or storing it. Thick blankets may feel dry on the outside while still holding moisture in the middle.
Clean the Dryer Lint Filter
A shedding blanket can fill the lint filter quickly. Clean the filter before drying the blanket and check it again during the cycle if needed.
Afterward, wipe loose lint from the inside of the dryer before drying clothes. This can keep blanket fibers from transferring to your next load.
Do not ignore a dryer that is overheating, drying poorly, or collecting an unusual amount of lint. Follow the appliance maker’s cleaning and safety guidance.
Skip Harsh Washing Products
Strong detergent, bleach, and heavy stain treatments may weaken or roughen some blanket fibers.
Use only the amount of detergent recommended for the load. Too much detergent can leave residue and make the blanket feel stiff. Stiff fibers may rub more during use.
Fabric softener can coat certain materials and may affect their feel or performance. It does not reliably stop pilling. Check the blanket’s care label before using it.
Never use bleach, stain remover, vinegar, ironing, or high heat without checking the care instructions first.
Remove Pills Carefully
Once pills form, normal washing may not remove them. You can use a fabric shaver or sweater comb if the blanket’s material can handle it.
Lay the blanket flat on a firm surface. Work slowly and use light pressure. Test a hidden corner first.
Do not pull pills off with your fingers. Pulling can stretch the fibers and create more damage.
Pilling and shedding usually happen when loose fibers rub, break, and collect on the blanket’s surface; learn how to remove lint from a polyester blanket using rollers, brushes, controlled dryer settings, or a fabric shaver while avoiding snags and surface damage.
Avoid using scissors unless you can clearly separate the pill from the blanket. It is easy to cut the fabric by mistake, especially on a thin or loosely woven blanket.
Some fabrics, such as long-pile sherpa, chunky knits, and delicate wool, may not be suitable for a fabric shaver. Check the product guidance for both the blanket and the shaver.
Remove Loose Fibers Before Wearing Good Clothes
If the blanket sheds onto your clothing, remove loose fibers before using it on the sofa or bed.
Try:
- A lint roller
- A clean clothes brush
- A slightly damp rubber glove
- A vacuum upholstery tool on low suction
Move in one direction rather than rubbing back and forth. Test the method on a hidden area first.
Do not use strong suction on a loose knit. The vacuum may pull or stretch the yarn.
For clothing, a lint roller or clothes brush is usually safer than washing the garment again. Wash clothes only when needed and follow their care labels.
Keep Rough Clothing Away From the Blanket
Blankets often pill where they rub against textured clothing. Denim, rough pajamas, sequins, exposed zippers, and hook-and-loop fasteners can catch fibers.
A smooth cotton sheet between you and the blanket may reduce rubbing. This can be useful on a shared bed, a child’s bed, or a guest bed where the blanket gets frequent use.
For a blanket used on the sofa, avoid placing it against rough upholstery. Fold it over a smooth armrest or store it in a basket when it is not being used.
Pet claws can also snag loose fibers. Keep nails trimmed and place a washable sheet or pet blanket over delicate throws.
Store the Blanket Separately
Do not store a shedding blanket directly on top of clean clothes. Put it in a breathable cotton storage bag or on its own shelf.
Wash and dry it fully before storage. Fold it loosely rather than packing it tightly into an underbed box.
For seasonal storage, check the blanket before placing it back on the bed. A quick shake outdoors, gentle brushing, or lint rolling can remove fibers that loosened while it was folded.
Choose Blankets That Are Less Likely to Shed
When replacing a blanket, look closely at the fabric.
Tightly woven cotton blankets often shed less than fluffy, loosely made throws. Smooth fleece may also create less visible lint than some long-pile sherpa fabrics, although quality varies.
Check the current product listing for details about:
- Fabric type
- Knit or weave
- Care instructions
- Whether the surface is brushed
- Whether the blanket has a long pile
- Comments about lint or shedding
A tightly finished edge is also helpful. Loose stitching or unfinished edges may release more fibers over time.
Natural fibers are not automatically better or worse. Wool, cotton, polyester, and blended blankets can all pill if the fibers are short, loosely held, or exposed to heavy rubbing.
When the Shedding May Not Stop
Some blankets continue to shed even after several careful washes. This is more common with loose knits, fuzzy throws, long-pile fabrics, and blankets made with weak or short fibers.
Consider replacing the blanket when:
- It leaves heavy lint after several washes
- The fabric is becoming thin
- Large areas are matting or unraveling
- Seams are opening
- Fibers keep transferring to every load of laundry
- Cleaning it takes more effort than using it
Until then, use the blanket over a sheet or keep it as a sofa throw away from clothing that collects lint easily.
A Simple Routine That Usually Helps
For most blankets, use this routine:
- Check the care label.
- Wash the blanket separately on a gentle cycle.
- Use cool water and a small amount of mild detergent.
- Dry on low heat or air dry as directed.
- Clean the washer and dryer of leftover lint.
- Remove pills with a suitable fabric shaver.
- Store the blanket away from clean clothes.
- Reduce contact with rough clothing, upholstery, and pet claws.
This may not make every blanket completely lint-free, but it can greatly reduce loose fibers and slow future pilling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my new blanket shedding so much?
A new blanket may release loose fibers left from cutting, brushing, or manufacturing. One or two separate gentle washes may reduce the shedding. Check the care label before washing or drying it.
Will washing a blanket stop it from shedding?
Washing can remove loose surface fibers, but it may not stop shedding caused by a loose weave, long pile, or weak fibers. Harsh washing may make the problem worse.
Does fabric softener prevent blanket pilling?
Fabric softener does not reliably prevent pilling. It may also coat some blanket materials. Follow the care label before using it.
Can I put a shedding blanket in the dryer?
You can if the care label allows machine drying. Use low heat and avoid drying it longer than needed. Clean the lint filter before and after the cycle.
How do I remove blanket pills without damaging the fabric?
Lay the blanket flat and use a fabric shaver or sweater comb with light pressure. Test a hidden area first. Do not pull pills off by hand.
Why does my blanket shed more after washing?
The wash cycle may be too rough, the washer may be overloaded, or the blanket may be rubbing against towels and clothing. High dryer heat can also weaken some fibers.
What blanket material is least likely to shed?
Tightly woven, smooth fabrics often shed less than fluffy or loosely knitted fabrics. However, construction quality matters as much as the fiber name. Check current product details and care instructions before choosing.
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