When washing a hand-knit blanket, it’s important to do so gently to avoid damaging the fabric. Hand wash the blanket with cold water and mild detergent, then lay it flat to air dry. Avoid wringing or twisting the fabric, as this can cause it to stretch or become misshapen.
Are you the proud owner of a hand-knit blanket? Congratulations! You have a beautiful, unique item that can provide years of comfort and joy.
But to get the most out of your blanket, you’ll need to know how to care for it properly. Washing a hand-knit blanket isn’t complicated – all you need is cold water, mild detergent and some patience.
In this article we’ll show you how to wash your hand-knit blanket so it looks as good as new for many years to come. Let’s get started!
What You'll Learn
Gather Supplies
You’ll need a few supplies to keep your hand-knit blanket looking great – let’s get started!
Gather a mild detergent, cold water, and a clean sink or bathtub. Avoid using too much detergent as it can cause shrinkage in the fibers of the blanket. Also consider avoiding harsh chemicals like chlorine bleach that can damage delicate colors in your blanket.
If you have any special instructions for caring for the colors of your yarn, follow those instructions carefully when gathering supplies. Choose something gentle and try to stick with products specifically made for washing wool or other fine fabrics that won’t damage your hand-knit blanket.
Now you’re all set – time to fill the sink!
Fill the Sink
Fill the sink with cold water and a mild detergent, then let your hand-knit blanket soak.
Be sure to adjust the temperature of the water according to the type of yarn used in your blanket; wool or cotton blankets require colder temperatures than synthetic fibers.
Allowing your blanket to soak for an appropriate amount of time will help to loosen dirt, dust, and sweat that may have accumulated over time. It’s important not to leave it soaking for too long as this can lead to fading or other damage.
To prevent any potential damage from occurring, set a timer and check on your blanket occasionally so you can accurately gauge its soaking time.
Once you’re satisfied with how it looks, proceed onto adding detergent for cleaning. Transitioning without saying ‘step’, add detergent slowly and mix it into the water until it’s completely dissolved before submerging your hand-knit blanket into the soapy solution.
Add Detergent
Gently add the detergent to the cold water, so you can thoroughly clean your beloved hand-knit blanket!
You should be mindful of the chemical use in each detergent when cleaning delicate fabrics like wool and cotton. Make sure to select an appropriate detergent that is specifically made for these types of materials.
If you want, you can also add a small amount of fabric softener to give it a lovely scent while keeping it looking as good as new.
Once all of the ingredients have been added, stir them together with your hands or a wooden spoon until they are fully dissolved into the water.
After that, your sink is ready for submerging the blanket in order to begin washing it.
Submerge the Blanket
Carefully submerge your beloved blanket in the soapy mixture, making sure not to agitate it too much – as if you were handling a fragile piece of glass!
Depending on the size and weight of your blanket, you can use various soaking techniques. If a full-sized blanket is too large for your sink or tub, try folding it over itself several times before submerging it in the sudsy water. If you’re dealing with a small item like an afghan or throw, you may be able to hold it under the water without any additional folding.
Blocking methods may also come in handy here – stretch out and position each section of the blanket before fully immersing it in the liquid.
Once all parts of your hand-knit blanket are safely submerged, let them soak for 10-15 minutes. As they soak up some of the detergent’s cleaning power, make sure to check on them every few minutes and gently swish them around if needed. This will help ensure that all areas get properly saturated with soap and avoid any potential spots from forming due to uneven washing.
When done soaking, begin lifting one corner of your blanket at a time out of the soapy mixture (remember: still being careful not to agitate!). Make sure that most excess liquid has been removed before moving onto rinsing off any remaining residue left behind by detergent…
Rinse the Blanket
After the blanket has soaked, it’s time to give it a good rinse! Submerge it once more in cold water and swish it around, allowing any remaining detergent residue to be washed away.
If you’re using fabric softener, add a capful into the rinse water as well. Gently squeeze the blanket several times to ensure that all of the soap is removed before taking it out of the sink. Don’t wring or twist the knit material—it could damage your hand-knit blanket.
Once you’ve finished rinsing, lift up your blanket and drain off most of the excess water by pressing down gently with your hands on either side of the sink. Then place your hand-knit blanket back into a clean bucket or basin filled with cold water and move it around for about 10 minutes before draining off this last bit of soapy water. This will help remove any residual soap from its fibers.
Now that your blanket has been thoroughly rinsed, carefully take it out of its washing vessel and lay it flat on either a towel or mesh laundry bag for air drying.
It’s important not to hang or drape wet knitwear over hangers as this can cause stretching; instead opt for laying flat until completely dry which is usually about 24 hours depending on weather conditions and how thickly knitted your item is.
If desired, you can also use a fan near your wet blanket to speed up drying time even further but make sure not to place too close as strong air currents may blow apart delicate stitches!
With these steps completed, you’ll have successfully washed and cared for your hand-knit blanket without compromising its shape or integrity – now onto laying flat to dry!
Lay Flat to Dry
With the final rinse complete, it’s time to let the hand-knit blanket air dry and get ready to snuggle up in its cozy warmth! To make sure that your beloved blanket is taken care of properly, there are a few tips for storing and drying methods that should be followed. Here’s a quick bullet point list:
- Use a flat surface free from dirt and dust
- Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources such as radiators or hot windowsills
- Take extra care when moving the wet blanket to avoid stretching or pulling too hard on any part of the fabric
When laying out your hand-knit blanket to dry, spread it evenly over a flat surface. This will prevent misshaping due to water weight and keep it looking as good as new.
If you have enough space available, lay the blanket on an outdoor clothesline for faster drying times away from dust particles. An alternative option is to place the wet blanket between two towels then roll them up together. This will help absorb excess moisture while keeping its shape intact.
Once your hand-knit blanket has been dried completely, fold it carefully and store in a drawer or closet away from heat sources until you’re ready for another cuddle session!
Conclusion
You’ve taken the time and put in the effort to make a hand-knit blanket—so you want it to last.
Washing it gently by hand is the best way to ensure that your blanket will stay looking beautiful for years to come. And don’t worry about having enough space or time; washing a hand-knit blanket doesn’t have to be difficult or take long.
All you need is a sink, some cold water, and mild detergent and you’ll be good to go! Plus, when you lay it flat to dry, you won’t have to worry about shrinkage or damage—just enjoy the cozy comfort of your beautifully clean handmade blanket.
