How to Wash a Crochet Blanket

Crochet blankets are a beautiful and cozy addition to any home! Whether you use your crochet blanket for laying in front of the TV or as a bedspread, it won’t need to be washed often. However, you must take extra caution when it needs to be washed. So, how do you wash a crochet blanket?

You can wash your crochet blanket by hand, submerging it in a tub of water with a gentle shampoo solution. You can also wash it in a washing machine by placing it in a laundry bag and washing it on a delicate setting. Aftercare instructions are crucial, as it must be dried flat and reshaped.

Handmade crochet items can be either expensive, or maybe you are lucky enough to have a family member who crocheted one for you! Whatever the case may be, a crocheted blanket holds sentimental and physical value, and you need to do what you can to wash it properly to enjoy it for years to come!

How Often Do You Wash a Crochet Blanket?

Crochet blankets should not be washed frequently. This is done to preserve the item for as long as possible. Frequent washing – even if done right – will eventually start to ruin the blanket. It will start to lose its shape, get extremely fuzzy, and maybe even have some yarn threads break.

Of course, you may have to wash your blanket much more than you’d like. It all depends on how often you use it, the type of fiber used, and the amount of dust or dirt buildup on it.

Knowing How To Wash A Crochet Blanket

A good rule would be to wash crochet blankets every three to four months, but if you use it daily, you may need to wash it more often.

The Washability of Yarn Types

Before you wash crochet blankets, it is important to know what type of yarn it was made with. Most yarn will tell you the optimal care instructions right on its label.

If you know the yarn used, view the machine washing symbols on the skein’s label. If you don’t have the yarn label handy, but know what type of fiber it is, then use our guide below:

Wool – Be careful. It can depend on the type of wool used (merino, etc), but wool blankets should not be machine washed, or submerged and soaked. Spot cleaning is best.
Cotton – Use the delicate machine wash setting, and you should be fine.
Acrylic – Acrylic yarns can take the largest amount of abuse and still come out fine. Regular machine washing is fine here.
Blends – It’s impossible to definitively say how to wash a blanket made with a blend of fibers, since there are so many combinations out there. However, I usually use two rules of thumb in this case:
1. If it’s at least 75% cotton or acrylic, it is safe to throw in the washing machine, and …
2. Go for the gentlest recommended washing method, choosing between the fibers the blend is made up of.

What if You Don’t Know Which Yarn Was Used?

If you are ever in doubt as to the type of yarn used in your blanket, there is only one rule you need to follow:

Wash the blanket by hand!

Throwing caution to the wind, and simply throwing it in the washing machine is a risk that is not worth it, in my opinion.

Let’s go over both the hand wash and machine washing methods, so you can rest assured that you will be safely cleaning your favorite crochet blanket. Picking the best way to wash your blankets can make all the difference in the end.

What Soap Should You Use?

A mild laundry detergent should work just fine in most cases. If you want to be really careful, there are specially made shampoos that will allow you to wash a crocheted blanket while being as gentle as possible.

How To Wash A Crochet Blanket By Hand

Washing a crochet blanket by hand will require a little more effort and some extra time, but it’s definitely worth it. Handwashing crochet blankets will ensure that they last as long as possible.

Alert! Wool blankets should be spot cleaned manually. Do not soak 100% wool blankets. Assuming your blanket is made with cotton, acrylic, or a blend with either of those two as the majority, follow the steps below.

Step 1. Fill A Bathtub Or Basin With Cool Water

Look at the size of your crochet blanket. Would it fit best in a bucket, sink, or maybe even a bathtub? However, my personal favorite is a clean Rubbermaid bin.

According to the size of your blanket, fill the most suitable one with cold tap water. Don’t let the sink or bathtub fill all the way, as the crochet blanket will make the water overflow.

Ensure the container is large enough to hold and submerge your blanket under the water completely.

Step 2. Mix Two Teaspoons Of Gentle Detergent Into The Water

Add 2 teaspoons of the mild detergent along with some fabric softener. You can use your hands or a larger object to stir it into your container, which will speed up the dissolving process.

Wait for at least five minutes before adding your crochet blanket into the water, as you want the detergent to be mixed in thoroughly.

Step 3. Submerge Your Blanket In The Solution And Let It Soak

Take your blanket and gently submerge it into the soapy water. Let the blanket become so saturated it sinks to the bottom, so every part of it becomes wet.

After it becomes completely soaked, use your hands and gently massage the blanket around in the water. The goal here is to dislodge any soil, dirt, or grime from the fibers.

Let your crochet blanket soak for about an hour before removing it from the water.

Step 4. Remove Your Blanket From The Water

After soaking your blanket for about an hour, remove it and lay it flat on a large towel or towels, roll up the towel getting as much of the water as out as possible. Push the blanket along the length to squeeze out as much water as possible.

However, do not push on the blanket too much – this could result in the blanket becoming stretched out or harmed. Only push the blanket enough so that it is no longer dripping wet.

How To Machine Wash Your Crochet Blanket

If the yarn used to create your crochet blankets allows for machine washing, take note of the following tips:

Avoid long washing cycles, as it could damage your blanket.
Set your washing machine on its most delicate cycle.
Use only cold water and low spin speeds (between 600 and 800rpm).
Wash your blanket alone or with similar colored and delicate items. Never overload your washing machine.
Only use a quarter cup of dry or liquid laundry detergent, as too much may not come out of the blanket.
Use a laundry bag for your blanket if you have one. These help protect blankets and other delicate items from being damaged in the washing machine.

How To Dry Your Crochet Blanket Correctly After Washing

After washing your blanket, it’s crucial to dry it correctly, as the fibers need to be dried properly.

Keeping all this information in mind, take a look at the aftercare instructions after washing your crochet blanket:

Machine Drying

Not all yarn can be machine dried. If the yarn you used allows for machine drying (check the yarn’s label), then proceed with the drier.

Each yarn label will have an indication as to the heat level the yarn can withstand. Regardless of the temperature, it is best to use low heat whenever possible. The higher the heat, the better chance you have at ruining your precious blanket.

However, just because machine drying is allowed by the yarn, does not mean that you should use it. The tumble drying motion will wreak havoc on your blanket. Ends will come undone, thin parts of yarn may snap, the shape may get distorted… there are many reasons to be cautious here.

Lay Your Crochet Blanket Flat To Dry

Transfer your crocheted blanket to a dry bath towel on a flat surface that is big enough to accommodate the size. A table would be perfect, but be sure to safeguard any wood surfaces with a plastic or vinyl tablecloth underneath the towel.

For a big item such as a blanket, you can also spread heavy plastic over your bed or floor to protect the surface and place dry towels over the plastic.

To start the drying process, flatten out the blanket, and try to form it into its original shape. After a couple of hours, you may need to replace the towels, as they will be damp.

Flip the blanket after a few hours. Keep in mind that if your crochet blanket is machine washable, you can also dry it in an automatic dryer on low heat.

Reshape Your Crochet Blanket When Dried

Adjust your blanket when it is fully dried until it has returned to its original shape. However, avoid pulling or tugging when trying to reshape it. Doing so has a good chance of ripping threads, pulling out weaved in ends, or snapping ties.

Free Crochet Blanket Patterns

Now that you know how to wash a crochet blanket, it’s time to make one! Take a look at a few of my favorite easy crochet blanket patterns below.

How to Wash a Crochet Blanket

How Often Do You Wash a Crochet Blanket?