Whether you’re a homebody who’s used to spending a lot of time at home or someone who’s recently had to find a way to adjust to being at home all the time, chances are you’ve been spending more time on the couch. We’ll also bet that you’ve been curled up with the various throw blankets that often find their way onto our couches. Before you snuggle up for your next movie marathon, we really encourage you to give those throws a good wash. Read on to learn why your throw blankets are easily the dirtiest thing in your living room that you’re not cleaning enough.
What Makes Throw Blankets So Dirty?
Throw blankets live on our couches whether they’re being used or not. When in use, they’re the perfect material to catch our food crumbs and dead skin cells. Yes, you read that right. Lodged within your cozy throw can be anything from crumbs and dead skin to pollen and bacteria. Oh, and don’t forget about the dust mites. As you read this, you could be snuggling up to more than just your favourite throw.
By this point in the year, it’s more than likely your throws have gotten a lot of use. Whether you’ve used them on more than one movie night, to build a fort, or to just snuggle up when you’re not feeling well, your throws are more than ready for a wash. Think about your throws like bedding. You wouldn’t lay and eat in your bed for months on end with the same sheets on, so why do the same to your throw blankets? Give them a good wash so you can relax knowing they’re clean.
How To Wash Throw Blankets
Once you’ve gathered all the throw blankets from your home, give them a good shake (ideally outside). This will help to dislodge any large pieces of debris caught within the fabric so they don’t end up in your washing machine. Sort your blankets by type and wash like with like according to the care instructions. Keep in mind that you don’t want to overcrowd the washer, so wash large blankets separately.
More often than not, you should wash your blankets on the cold and delicate cycles. Only use a small amount of detergent to keep the softness of your blankets intact. Too much soap can change the texture of your favourite throw. If your blankets are safe to dry in the dyer make sure to use low heat. Consider taking them out halfway through the cycle and let them air dry to prevent shrinking.
As we all spend more time at home, it’s important that we keep a clean and healthy space. Take some time to wash your throw blankets now so you can enjoy them even more during your next movie marathon.
