How to Wash Baby Blankets In Washing Machine? (step-by-step)

Among all the baby fabrics, blankets are the most commonly used item in a baby set.

In fact, blankets are not only used in the bed, they are also carried with the baby. Therefore, it becomes very important to routinely wash your baby’s blankets with utmost care.

Washing baby blankets in a washing machine can save you time and keep your blankets looking great.

However, when you first add your blankets to the wash, you might be surprised by their clumpiness.

In this article, you will learn the simplest and the quickest way to wash your baby blankets with care, and that too without any clumps.

Let’s dive right into it.

What are the baby blankets made up of?

Blankets for babies are made of soft, skin-friendly material.

Cashmere, wool, cotton, and fleece are some of the fabrics used to make baby blankets.

Fleece and cotton blankets are the most popular in the category because they are soft and lightweight. It also helps to keep the baby warm in cold conditions. 

With that said, cotton blankets are usually preferred by many due to their durability. Furthermore, they are easy to wash even with a washing machine.

Woolen blankets, on the other hand, are the least popular because they can be itchy and may be heavy.

Baby blankets are designed to be lightweight to comfort babies in different climatic conditions.

You can fold and carry them with you wherever you go, or even wrap your baby in them whenever you need to.

How do you use baby blankets?

Baby blankets can be used in different ways.

• Baby blankets can be used as a cover for the baby while they are comfortably sleeping. Moreover, you can cover them while traveling or if you move out for a walk or to a supermarket with your baby in your arms.
• By securing your baby using a blanket you can protect them from bugs and dust mites.
• It helps to keep the baby warm during the winter months, or during the cold weather conditions. Likewise, they are also meant to protect babies from hot and humid climatic conditions.

How often do you wash baby blankets?

To keep your babies healthy it is important to keep their surroundings clean and germ-free.

Therefore, to create a healthy atmosphere the first step is to keep their fabrics clean and fresh. This includes their nappies, clothing, bedding, and blankets.

On average, babies spend almost 18 hours of their time sleeping and are usually covered with comforters.

Whenever you put them to sleep, a blanket is always needed to keep them warm.

If these blankets catch dirt or stains, you should wash them immediately.

Even if they don’t appear dirty or filthy you should wash them every couple of days. Just make sure not to over-wash them.

You may simply soak them for around 20 minutes in warm water mixed with a delicate or natural detergent.

For sanitation, you can use a baby-safe fabric sanitizing liquid.

Next, rinse them thoroughly with clean water a couple of times and gently squeeze out excess water before you put them for drying.

As a general practice, baby blankets should be washed routinely and with utmost care since they are delicate.

Note – It is not recommended to use any ordinary detergent or soap to clean them. Instead, make use of natural detergents or baby care products.

For blankets made using 100% cotton, you can clean them in the washer and dryer if you want. However, do not forget to check the care labels for laundry instructions.

How to Wash Baby blankets in a washing machine?

Washing baby blankets can be done in a washing machine with a few simple steps.

Ensure you read the blanket care labels before you choose machine wash as the washing method.

Instructions to Machine Wash Baby Blankets

Step 1: Sort out your load

Sort the laundry according to the type of clothing first.

Baby blankets should go in one pile, whereas adult blankets in another, and the remaining items in separate piles.

For smaller blankets in the pile, you can make use of mesh laundry bags.

Simply, place them in a mesh bag and put them in the washer.

You can also include tiny towels or soft napkins in another mesh bag.

Note – Do not include plastic or silicon sheets for washing in the machine.

Step 2: Choosing the right cleaner

Always use natural detergents or the one formulated for baby fabrics. Natural detergents are plant-based and do not use any chemical solutions in the processing. Hence these are safer alternatives.

Moreover, avoiding chlorine or other harsh chemicals will help preserve the fabric’s color and ensure a safe cleaning process.

Step 3: Choose the right temperature

You can use warm water or a slightly hot water setting. Keep the water temperature around 40°C to 50°C (100°F to 120°F) at most for optimum results.

Step 4: Treat Stubborn Stains

Use mild soap or soft soap suitable for baby fabrics and warm water to clean any stains or soiled areas as soon as possible.

Simply, wet the surface and use soap to gently scrub the surface area for a minute, and rinse with clean water.

If the stain is on an area that cannot be removed easily, try dipping the portion in warm water and leaving it for 10 minutes. 

Next, remove the blanket and you may now use a mild detergent and scrub the area gently. 

And don’t forget to rinse with clean water before putting the blankets in a washer.

Note – Do not scrub the blankets vigorously or for longer. Doing this will damage the fabric material in no time.

Step 5: Add a disinfectant

You can add a capful of disinfectant liquid in the wash process. Make sure it is formulated for baby fabrics.

Additionally, if your region supplies hard water then simply add ½ cup distilled vinegar during the wash process.

Step 6: Choose the cycle

Set the washer to a delicate cycle or handwash cycle if available in the options menu of your washing machine.

Most washers now come with special cycles for washing baby fabrics.

If you have a smart washer you can simply download a suitable cycle from the list of downloadable cycles of your washer type.

If your washer allows setting the spin speed of your choice then set it to low from the control panel.

Lastly, run the cycle and wait until it completes.

Step 7: Extra Rinse

Always offer an extra rinse to baby fabrics be it their clothing, bedding, or other washable fabrics.

By doing this, you eliminate any residues caught by the fibers, such as soap, other clothing, residuals from washing machines, and chemicals.

Step 8: Drying tips

To prevent stains or wrinkles, line a drying rack with old towels or sheets before adding bedding.

You can also make use of the drying rack and hang them to dry naturally overnight. For quick drying, you can make use of a clothes dryer.

Lastly, do not forget to check the care label on the blankets.

If unsure use a mesh bag suitable for the dryer and run the delicates cycle with the lowest heat settings.

Final Thoughts

Your baby’s blankets should be washed frequently to prevent germs and allergens from spreading.

While doing so, avoid using harsh chemicals and ordinary soap as they can cause irritation to their sensitive skin.

With that said, It is always a good idea to stock multiple blankets for babies so that it becomes easy to clean them frequently.

Lastly, avoid using adult blankets for newborn babies, and always use fabrics that are appropriate.