The Mistake You Want To Avoid When Washing Your Sherpa Blankets

Who doesn't like the softness and warmth of a thick sherpa blanket, especially on a chilly winter or late-autumn day? These two-sided blankets are a favorite for many, mostly because of how cozy and reasonably priced they are. You can find a 50x60 sherpa throw for as low as $9.86 from Walmart at the time of writing, which means they make great gifts, too. But when it comes to washing these blankets, things can get a little ... hairy (pun intended). A common mistake that people make when washing these blankets is actually during the drying process; using high or even medium heat or an iron can ruin the blanket's soft surface.

Even if you have experience with washing sherpa or faux fur blankets, it's always a good idea to read the white care tag before throwing them into your washing machine. This tag provides instructions for proper washing and drying to prevent ruining your garments. When it comes to sherpa blankets, there's more than one way to wash and dry them, but whichever method you choose, remember to use low heat or no heat. And if you've already "ruined" a sherpa blanket, there might be a way to return it to its original state with a few simple ingredients.

Sherpa blankets are made with synthetic materials like polyester, acrylic, or cotton blends, which can be negatively altered if exposed to high heat. That's why many care tags say "tumble dry low heat" or similar instructions advising against high heat. Some may recommend air drying to avoid any heat use. Many tags also have a "do not iron" symbol on them, so be sure to heed this warning as well. To avoid damaging the fibers of your blanket, either use the low heat, delicates, or air fluff setting on your dryer.

Another option is to air dry your blanket, if you don't mind waiting a little longer. One of the nice features of sherpa blankets is their ability to dry quickly, so when removing one from the washer, you may notice that it feels damp, not wet. This means you can open it up and lay it flat on top of the dryer or washer to air dry, or you can hang it up somewhere. Just be sure the air in the room isn't humid or cold. Warm, dry air is best. Whether you machine dry (on low heat) or air dry your blanket, you can expect it to be ready for use again within a few hours.

We've all done it. We pull our laundry from the washing machine and throw it all in the dryer in a rush without reading a single care tag. Sometimes the consequence is a shrunken sweater ... or a damaged sherpa blanket. That soft, plush feeling vanishes in exchange for a less desirable, less cozy, slightly stiff, and somewhat flattened fabric. The good news is there may be hope in restoring the blanket to its original soft, fluffy form.

First, you'll have to rewash the blanket in cold water. Either use a gentle detergent or no detergent at all. Mattress Clarity advises adding half a cup of baking soda during the wash cycle and half a cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle. The vinegar will remove residue from the fabric to restore it to its original soft, fluffy state. After the spin cycle ends, let the blanket air dry and hopefully your sherpa will be back to normal, or as close to it as possible.