How to properly wash a cotton blanket at home?

Despite the fact that the modern bedding market is replenishing with duvets with hypoallergenic ultra-thin synthetic fillers, many people prefer to opt for good old wadded duvets. This is not surprising: under such a blanket it is very warm and cozy. However, like any other piece of a bedding set, the comforter gradually gets dirty. And if a thin synthetic winterizer model can be easily washed in a washing machine, it is not so simple with cotton products, if only because they weigh quite a lot, especially when wet. How you can wash and dry a quilt with cotton padding at home, we learn from the article.

If there is no need for a global cleaning, you can only remove dirt from the surface of the blanket. Let's describe how this is done step by step.

1. First you have to knock out all the dust from the product. To do this, it is recommended to take it out into the yard (do not do it on the balcony!) And knock it out well. If you are the lucky owner of your own backyard area, which is not visited by strangers, leave the blanket hanging in the open air for at least a couple of hours so that the breeze can blow out the remaining dust and get rid of bad odors.
2. While the bedding is outside, shake some soap and water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Set it up for fine spray rather than jet.
3. Bring the blanket back into your home and spread it out on a clean, mopped floor.
4. Using a spray bottle, apply a soapy composition to the dirt, gently wipe them with the hard part of the sponge.
5. Do not use too much solution on one stain - it should not saturate the padding as this is just a superficial cleaning and not a full wash.

This method is suitable for removing not too serious dirt.

Of course, it is possible to wash a cotton blanket with your own hands, but it should be borne in mind that this process is long and time consuming.

1. As in the previous case, carefully knock out all dust particles from the product. By the way, in order not to repeat ourselves, let's say that the same procedure must be done before washing in an automatic machine.
2. Examine the blanket, look for old stubborn stains, heavily soiled places. Apply stain remover to them and soak for a couple of hours. If you have not found such stains, you should not fill the product with water.
3. Fill a large basin with warm water (t = 35–40 degrees Celsius). Put a blanket in there, pour in a liquid detergent (not powder!) For washing. Rub lightly on especially dirty areas. If you find it difficult to do this with your hands, use a sponge or soft-bristled brush.
4. Carefully but gently squeeze the product. Never twist it to avoid clumping of the cotton filler. It is recommended to place the blanket between two large terry towels and roll it up like a roll, pressing lightly. The excess liquid will saturate the towels and leave the blanket.
5. Now lay the product horizontally in a warm and dry place. It will be great if the rays of the sun begin to fall on it.

Another good option for cleaning the surface of a cotton blanket from not too serious dirt. It has several advantages:

• very little water is used to generate steam, so the product dries much faster;
• cotton padding will not crumple, since you will not need to wring out the blanket;
• using steam treatment, you can kill up to 80% of pathogens living inside the filler.

Steam cleaning step by step:

1. spread the blanket on a horizontal surface;
2. direct a jet of steam at it using a steam generator, a household steamer or a simple iron;
3. when the fabric is slightly saturated with water, go to the next dirty area - walk over the entire surface of the blanket;
4. dry the product.

Obstacles to washing a cotton blanket in a washing machine are its rather heavy weight and large dimensions.

Step by step guide:

1. after getting rid of the dust, inspect it for complex old stains, and if there are any, then wash them by hand;
2. place the blanket in the washing machine, close the door;
3. pour liquid detergent into the powder compartment - it is forbidden to use powder;
4. set the temperature to 40 degrees;
5. select the "Delicate wash" mode (be guided by how this option is called specifically in your case - on different models of different companies it can be designated differently);
6. set the minimum number of revolutions (400–500);
7. enable the extra rinse option;
8. wait until the washing process is over, remove the blanket from the machine, send it to dry.

It is not enough to wash the blanket correctly, it still needs to be properly dried. How to do it - read below.

• The best way to dry the product is in the fresh air under the sun. It not only quickly says goodbye to excess moisture, but also gets rid of harmful microorganisms that survived the wash (bacteria, dust mites).
• It is impossible to dry the blanket in a suspended state: the cotton padding will crumple up, and the product will be ruined irrevocably.
• During the drying process, it is recommended to repeatedly beat the filler so that it dries well and straightens out.
• In winter, cloudy weather, and in general, in the absence of a personal yard, you can dry the product in the apartment. For these purposes, heating devices will come to your aid, which will contribute to faster evaporation of moisture. If the blanket remains wet for a long time, mold may develop in it.

You washed the product according to all the rules, but the filler nevertheless crumpled and after drying did not take its original form? Well, you'll have to wash it again and try to straighten the padding while drying.

To keep it clean, it is recommended to ventilate the product in the fresh air, knock it out, process it with a vacuum cleaner or steam generator. Then the product will stay fresh longer.