How to Wash Handmade Blanket

Updated on January 02, 2009
M.C. asks from Holmen, WI
5 answers

My 9 month old son has a knitted/crocheted blanket that was given to him as a gift from his great aunt. The other day he threw up in his bed. When I got him up this morning, I noticed that a little got on his blanket. Does anyone know if I can just wash it on the gentle cycle in the washing machine and then let air dry? I don't want to ruin it.

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

M.M.

answers from Chicago on

Driers are the surest way to shorten the life of a handmade gift (especially crocheted or knitted!) or to ruin them completely! Hand wash if you can, in the tub or sink with gentle soap. Rinse thoroughly and lay to dry on towels... avoid hanging. Depending on the size it may stretch it out. If it is small, hanging evenly over a shower rod in your bathroom or on a drying rack, if you have one, is fine!

If you would rather machine wash, use the gentlest cycle possible, baby detergent or Ivory-type and always use a Shout Color Catcher to catch stray dyes in the water.. especially if this is the first time washing it! (Never hurts to ask the creator of the gift what they suggest, either! They will probably really appreciate knowing how special their gift is to you so that's an added bonus!)

*Long-time Quilter*

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.O.

answers from Chicago on

I have several handmade baby blankets and I wash all of them on gentle cycle. I also use the Dreft soap. After I air-dry them, I put them in the dryer just to fluff and soften them. I haven't had any problems, so hopefully you won't either.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.K.

answers from Chicago on

Meg M's advice is awesome. But I can attest that I have used the washing machine and dryer on my handmade (crocheted and quilted) blankets without problem. (I probably won't anymore!)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.

answers from Chicago on

No guarantees, and you might want to ask the giver for any care advice (like if they used angora yarn or something), but I've washed my children's similar-sounding blankets without any problems. Use cold water and the delicate setting on the washer and dryer.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.N.

answers from Chicago on

My mother crochets and I have blankets for each of my kids. As long as the yarn used is not very thin or made of wool-baby yarn is okay--you should be able to wash it on gentle cycle in the washer and then air dry. I sometimes put mine in the dryer but they are heavier material. The only time I ever had a "problem" was when I didn't notice a bib with velcro and it stuck to it but it did not ruin it in any way.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches