I ruined a beautiful heirloom wool blanket once. It was a gift, thick and creamy white. I thought I was being careful – gentle cycle, cold water. When it came out of the dryer (my second mistake), it was a stiff, shrunken felted pad fit for a dollhouse. That heart-sinking moment taught me more about how to wash a wool blanket than any generic label ever could.

Wool is incredible. It's temperature-regulating, durable, and naturally resistant to odors. But its very structure – those microscopic scales on each fiber – makes it prone to felting (that irreversible shrinking and matting) if treated roughly with heat, agitation, and harsh chemicals. The good news? Washing a wool blanket properly isn't hard. It just requires a shift from how you wash your cotton t-shirts.washing wool blanket

Your Quick Guide to Washing Wool Blankets

First, Check the Label (But Don't Stop There)

The care label is your starting point, not your bible. Look for symbols: a tub with a hand means hand wash only. A tub with a line underneath means gentle cycle. A circle means dry clean only.

Here's my non-consensus take: many "dry clean only" labels on wool blankets are a manufacturer's CYA (cover your assets) move. For a plain wool blanket without delicate embellishments, hand washing is often perfectly safe and much gentler than harsh chemical dry cleaning solvents. I've successfully hand-washed "dry clean only" wool throws for years. The decision hinges on the blanket's construction and your confidence.

Can You Machine Wash a Wool Blanket?

It depends. Modern washing machines with a dedicated Wool or Hand Wash cycle can be suitable for sturdy, machine-washable wool blankets. These cycles use very slow agitation and cold water. If your machine lacks these, the risk goes up.hand wash wool blanket

My rule of thumb: If the blanket is antique, a delicate heirloom, has loose knits, fringes, or is labeled "superwash" wool (treated to resist felting), you have a green light to consider the machine. For everything else, especially your first time washing it, default to hand washing. The extra 20 minutes of effort saves you a lifetime of regret.

Step-by-Step Guide to Hand Washing a Wool Blanket

This is the gold standard method. You need a bathtub or a very large, clean sink.

Preparation is Everything

Shake the blanket outdoors to remove dust. Check for and treat any stains (more on that later). Fill your tub with cold to lukewarm water – test it with your wrist; it should feel cool, never warm. Dissolve a capful of wool-specific detergent (like Ecover Wool Wash, The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo, or even a mild baby shampoo) in the water before adding the blanket. Never pour detergent directly onto the wool.

The Gentle Soak and Swirl

Submerge the blanket. Gently press it down to soak. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes. This is where most guides stop. Here's the expert nuance: do not agitate, scrub, or wring. Instead, use a gentle, rhythmic pressing motion with your flat hands, almost like you're kneading dough very softly. Push down, release, move to the next section. This helps water and soap move through the fibers without causing friction.

The Rinse Ritual

Drain the soapy water. Gently press the blanket against the side of the tub to remove water. Refill with fresh cold water. Repeat the gentle pressing to rinse. You may need 2-3 rinses until the water runs clear. The key is patience. Rushing leads to rough handling.washing wool blanket

Step-by-Step Guide to Machine Washing a Wool Blanket

If you've determined your blanket and machine are up to it, follow this protocol strictly.

Use a front-loading washer if possible. Top-loaders with an agitator column are too harsh. Select the Wool, Hand Wash, or Delicate cycle. Set the temperature to Cold water for both wash and rinse. Use the slowest spin speed available or, ideally, no spin at all.

Place the blanket in the drum by itself. Never wash a wool blanket with other items—zippers and buttons can snag, and the uneven load causes imbalance and harsh agitation. Add the appropriate amount of wool wash detergent to the dispenser.

Stop right here if your machine's "Delicate" cycle still seems vigorous. I've seen some that are anything but delicate. Listen to the machine. If it sounds like a normal wash, it's too rough. Abort and go to the hand wash method.

Drying is the Most Critical Phase

Heat and weight are wool's enemies during drying. Never, ever use a clothes dryer. The tumbling and heat will guarantee felting.

After washing, gently press out water. Do not wring. For hand-washed blankets, roll it in a clean, dry bath towel and press firmly to absorb excess moisture. You might need a second dry towel.

Lay the blanket flat on a dry towel or a mesh drying rack, reshaping it to its original dimensions. Support the entire blanket to prevent stretching. Avoid hanging it, as the weight of the water can distort the shape. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from direct heat sources like radiators. A fan circulating air in the room speeds up drying, which can take 24-48 hours.

Flip the blanket halfway through drying to ensure even airflow.hand wash wool blanket

Common Mistakes That Felt Your Wool Blanket

Let's be blunt about what goes wrong.

  • Using Hot or Warm Water: Heat causes the wool scales to open up and lock together permanently.
  • Agitation and Wringing: Rubbing, twisting, or even a too-harsh machine cycle mats the fibers.
  • Regular Laundry Detergent: These are alkaline and strip wool's natural lanolin, leaving it harsh and prone to damage.
  • Overloading the Washer: Creates friction and uneven cleaning.
  • The Clothes Dryer: The single fastest way to destroy a wool blanket.

Choosing Your Weapons: Wool Wash Products

Not all detergents are created equal. You need a pH-neutral, lanolin-safe cleaner.

Product Type Best For Examples My Take
Specialist Wool Washes All wool, especially premium blankets The Laundress, Ecover Wool Wash, Kookaburra Worth the investment. They clean while maintaining softness.
Baby Shampoo A budget-friendly, gentle alternative Any mild, no-tears formula Works surprisingly well in a pinch. Avoid heavy fragrances.
Vinegar (White) Final rinse to remove soap residue & soften Generic white vinegar Add 1/4 cup to the final rinse water. The smell dissipates when dry.
Avoid: Regular Detergent, Fabric Softener - Tide, Gain, Downy These coat and damage fibers. Never use them.

Tackling Spills and Stains on Wool

Act fast. Blot, never rub. For food or drink stains, use a clean cloth dampened with cold water to dab the area. For oil-based stains, a tiny drop of wool wash applied directly, gently worked in, and rinsed with cold water can help. For set-in stains, consider a product like Woolite Dry Cleaner's Secret Instant Stain Remover (test on an inconspicuous area first). Sometimes, a full, gentle wash is the best stain remover. Avoid harsh stain sticks or bleach.washing wool blanket

Your Wool Washing Questions Answered

How often should I actually wash my wool blanket?

Far less often than you think. Wool is naturally antimicrobial and resists odors. Air it out regularly. For a blanket used on a bed, once or twice a season is plenty. For a decorative throw, a yearly refresh might suffice. Over-washing wears it out unnecessarily.

My wool blanket got wet in the rain and smells like a wet sheep. What do I do?

That's the lanolin smell, and it's normal when wet. Don't panic. Lay it flat to dry completely in a well-ventilated area. The smell will almost always disappear once the wool is 100% dry. If it persists after drying, then it's time for a gentle wash with a wool-specific detergent.

Can I use hair conditioner on my wool blanket to make it softer?

I don't recommend it. While it might feel soft initially, hair conditioners often contain silicones and oils that can coat the fibers, attracting dirt and potentially leaving a greasy residue. A proper wool wash followed by a vinegar rinse is the safer, more effective method for long-term softness.

The edges of my blanket are fraying. Should I fix them before or after washing?

Before. Always do any minor repairs on a clean, dry blanket. Washing can aggravate loose threads. Use a matching thread and a simple whip stitch to secure any frayed areas. This prevents the damage from getting worse during the wash process.

Is "superwash" wool really safe for the machine?

Yes, that's its purpose. Superwash wool has been chemically or physically treated to smooth the scales on the fibers, making it highly resistant to felting. You can usually machine wash and tumble dry (on low) superwash items. However, I still advise using a gentle cycle and wool detergent for longevity. Always check the label to confirm.