How to Wash Acrylic Blanket? (Complete Guide)

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How to Wash Acrylic Blanket

Acrylic blankets are a popular choice for people who need a warm and comfortable sleeping environment.

But like any other piece of clothing, acrylic blankets can get dirty over time.

In this article, you will learn what is Acrylic blankets, how to wash them, and some useful tips to maintain them.

Here’s what this article covers.

What is an Acrylic Blanket?

Acrylic blankets are a type of insulation made from acrylic fibers.

Acrylic is a synthetic fabric made from Polymer acrylonitrile and is human-made.

It is not a natural fiber and it is a popular choice for insulation because it is inexpensive, lightweight, and comfortable.

They are versatile and breathable and also used as shawls, throws, or body wraps.

Acrylic being a thermoplastic polymer, these blankets are both resistant to wrinkles and repels water.

These blankets are quite adaptable, maintain their shape well, are stain-resistant, and do not wrinkle easily.

It has a very soft texture and makes an excellent substitute for wool, especially for people who are allergic to wool.

Are Acrylic blankets waterproof?

Even though they are known to repel water and sweat, they may not be able to keep the moisture away and are typically not considered to be waterproof.

So, In a nutshell, they are water repellent but not waterproof.

Can you wash acrylic blankets in the washing machine?

Yes, you can wash acrylic blankets in a washing machine without any damage just make sure that your acrylic blanket is made of a non-fraying material and doesn’t have any special requirements.

However, at the same time, remember to wash them using a gentle cycle and follow proper instructions by simply referring to the care labels.

Some acrylic blankets might only be suitable for handwashing because the chemicals used to make acrylic can dissolve and release toxic substances into the water, hence these types of blankets should be hand washed or preferred for dry cleaning.

If you are confused, we recommend you to refer the care labels attached to your blanket.

How to wash Acrylic blankets?

It is recommended that you dry clean the acrylic blanket in order to avoid any damage to the fabric and prolong its lifespan.

Having said that, with caution, acrylic blankets can be washed in a conventional washer and dryer.

Alternatively, you may also hand-wash them.

The best way to wash acrylic blankets is to follow the instructions on the care label. are

If the care label recommends hand washing, then you may have to stick to the recommended washing instructions.

Likewise, if it is machine washable, you may wash them in the washer.

So, depending on the care label instructions you can either hand wash or machine wash your acrylic blanket.

Hand washing them gives you access to customizing your wash style with less wear and tear.

On the other hand, washing your acrylic blanket in a washing machine should be done using mild detergent, cold water, and a gentle wash cycle.

Let’s take a quick look into both methods in detail.

How to wash Acrylic blankets in a washing machine?

Washing acrylic blankets in the washing machine can be a quick and easy way to keep them clean and maintain hygiene.

If you follow proper instructions then the blanket will not shrink or lose its shape, and the colors will stay vibrant.

Steps to Machine Wash Acrylic Blankets

Here are the step-by-step instructions to wash the acrylic blankets in the washing machine

Step 1: Pre-Soak the blankets

To begin, place the acrylic blanket in a tub or large container filled with warm or cold water.

You may add a mild or a suitable detergent by keeping the proper quantity in mind (Refer to the dosage instructions on the detergent box).

Before you place them in the washer simply, soak for 30 minutes and gently agitate the blanket with your hands for about 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 2: Load the Blanket into the Washing Machine

If you are using an Automatic front load washer, Simply put your blanket in the washing machine and add a suitable detergent.

Next, set your washer to the below settings.

  • Wash Type: Gentle/Delicate
  • Soil Level: Normal
  • Water Temperature: Cold
  • Pre-Wash: Not Required if you are pre-soaking it
  • Spin Speed: Low

If you are using a Top-Load Washer, fill the washer with cold water and then add suitable detergent.

Once the detergent mixes well, put the blanket inside the washer.

Using cold or warm water with a mild detergent not only helps to prevent discoloration and fabric damage caused by hot water.

Note: Do not use a bleaching solution or fabric softeners during the wash, only use if the manufacturer recommends on the care labels.

Step 3: Start the cycle

Turn the washer’s knob to the gentle cycle and push the start button.

Let the cycle complete and do its job.

If your washer has an extra rinse cycle feature available, make use of them if your blankets are heavily soiled.

Note: Make sure your washer has enough capacity to accommodate your acrylic blanket’s dimensions and leave some room in the washtub for proper agitation. Also, avoid putting other items in the washtub with the acrylic blanket.

Step 4: Put it for Drying

The next step is to take the blanket out of the washer and dry them by following the instructions on the care label.

If you don’t find the care label, it’s best to hang or lay the blanket flat on a drying rack in its original shape.

Try to avoid the dryer as much as possible, as these blankets don’t like excess heat.

If the care label recommends you to use a dryer, feel free to dry them using a dryer.

With that said, not all fabrics are the same, therefore even if you use a dryer, you may have to choose the light settings, just to be on the safe side.

Alternately, you may gently shake off any excess water and lay the blanket on a dry surface, and additionally press it between two sheets of towel to dry quickly.

Step 5: Reshape your Blanket

Gently pat the blankets to reshape them.

In doing so be careful not to damage the fabric.

Don’t forget, if a single thread comes out, it can damage the entire blanket.

So, just tap them gently to reshape them.

How to handwash acrylic blankets?

If your Acrylic blanket is not machine washable, or if you find it risky to wash them in a washer, then the next best option is to either dry clean OR hand wash them.

Chances are you may prefer handwashing them.

Let’s take a look at the steps to hand wash the Acrylic Blankets.

Steps for Handwashing the Acrylic Blanket

Step 1: Soak the Blankets

Fill a bucket with warm water and add half a cup of suitable detergent.

Mix the detergent thoroughly so that no clumps are left.

Next, place the acrylic blanket in the mixture and swish the blanket so that the detergent can work effectively.

Leave it for around 20 minutes.

Step 2: Rinsing

Now agitate the blanket gently with your hands by moving it upwards & downwards, and by swirling the blanket in the bucket.

Doing this for a few minutes will give a proper rinsing therapy to the blanket.

Leave it to settle for an additional 5 minutes.

Next, drain the water from the bucket and add clean and warm water.

Now, rinse it until the detergent residues and soapy water are completely removed from the blanket.

Step 3: Drying

Shake off the excess water and hang the acrylic blanket for air drying.

You can either hang the blanket OR Lay them flat to dry.

How to restore the softness of your Acrylic Blanket?

It seems you have performed a wash using your washer and have lost the softness of the acrylic blanket.

This usually happens if your soft blanket was meant for handwash and you realize it only after looking at the care label.

Some other possibilities of losing the softness of your acrylic blanket are:

  • When you use your washer to wash the acrylic blanket using an inappropriate cycle.
  • The washer was overloaded or mixed with the unsuitable load.
  • You may have used an unsuitable or low-grade cleaning solution.

Here are some useful tips for regaining the softness of your acrylic blanket.

Method 1

  • Wet your blanket with water and lay them on a flat surface.
  • Brush your wet acrylic blanket with olive oil and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
  • Now prepare soapy water in a small jar by adding a small amount of mild hair conditioner.
  • Sprinkle and apply the solution over the blanket’s surface and leave it for another 10 minutes.
  • Fill a large bowl with warm water and place the blanket inside for about 10 minutes.
  • Swish the blanket or gently rinse it with your hands for a few minutes.
  • Refill the bowl with clean water and swish the blanket until clear.
  • Hang dry your blanket.

Method 2

For Machine wash – You may add a cup of white vinegar and run a gentle or hand wash cycle using a warm or cold water setting. Make sure you run a short cycle.

For Handwashing: You may soak the acrylic blanket in a bucket filled with warm water and a cup of white vinegar. Let it sit for about 20 minutes. Next, Rinse with your hands, and finally, wash using clean water so that vinegar residues are removed.

Once you are done washing you may simply hang dry your acrylic blanket and let it dry completely in order to regain its softness.

Why is my acrylic blanket soft on one side and hard on the other?

There may be a few reasons why your acrylic blanket is feeling different on opposite sides. 

  • One possibility is that the blanket has gotten wet on one side more than the other.
  • If your washing machine has a weaker axle or if it is small and not capable of washing heavy blankets, it will struggle to spin. This causes the threads to become tangled and knotted, thereby not allowing the blanket to wash evenly.
  • Weight differences can also exist if one side of the blanket is made of a heavier fabric than the other. In this case, when the blanket is placed in the washer, it will rotate around its center of mass and cause one side to get more water than the other which will cause it to feel different after being washed.

Here’s what you can do to minimize these issues.

For Mixed Loads

While washing Acrylic Blankets OR any blankets, remove the heavy items that may affect the performance of the washer (such as large towels or bulky garments) before starting your wash cycle.

It’s not recommended to wash other heavy items along with your Acrylic Blanket.

Manage Weight differences

If your acrylic blanket is heavier on one end and lighter on the other, then you may try placing the lighter side of the fabric at the bottom of your load. 

This will ensure that the lighter sides do not pull upwards during the wash cycle.

Final Thoughts

Acrylic blankets are a popular choice because they are soft, light, and easy to maintain.

But just like any other piece of clothing, they need to be washed regularly in order to maintain their shape and keep them free from pilling.

If you live in a cold climate, you can also put your acrylic blanket outside on a sunny day so that it can absorb some of the sun’s warmth.

However, do not dry them in direct sunlight or else they will lose their color and become brittle.

Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions first, as some blankets may not be meant to be washed in a washing machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions related to Acrylic Blankets that may be helpful.

Should I soak the acrylic blankets overnight?

It is not recommended to leave your acrylic blankets wet or soaked for a longer time. Soaking your acrylic blanket for about 30 minutes sounds more than enough. Do not leave these blankets wet after washing and you should immediately hang them or simply lay them on a flat surface for drying.

Should you machine wash acrylic blankets?

Refer to the care label on your Acrylic Blanket. If it recommends a machine wash, you may wash them in a washer using a delicate cycle with cold water settings only.

How often should an acrylic blanket be washed?

Unlike most blankets, which need to be washed quite often, your acrylic blanket should only be washed about once per month if you are using it every day.

Can I dye an acrylic blanket?

It is not recommended to dye acrylic fibers and you may not be able to dye acrylic fabrics at home the standard way. It won’t absorb the colors due to the nature of the fabric. The dying process should be conducted by the manufacturers with suitable dying techniques.

Can I Iron my acrylic blanket?

No, It’s not recommended to Iron the Acrylic blankets simply because they don’t like heat. It’s a straight NO because ironing can easily damage the fabric. You should always avoid any contact with heat to prevent acrylic fibers from wearing off.

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Manish Singh is an expert in electrical engineering with a Diploma in the field. With over 12 years of experience, he specializes in repairing music systems, washing machines, dryers, and other laundry-related appliances. His in-depth knowledge in electrical repairs and decent knowledge about garment care makes him a trusted authority in the field of appliance repair and laundry related topics. If you have any questions or need assistance with your appliances, you can reach out to Manish through email: manish.singh (at) portablelaundry.com

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