Even though winter is not in its full power this year, there is nothing like a cosy night at home with your loved ones. Once you gather your partner, children, pets, or friends, the only thing left is a fluffy soft blanket to finish the whole picture.
Fleece blankets provide warmth and are available in pretty much any colour and print. They are lightweight and with a few simple steps, you will be able to keep them clean and fresh and prevent fuzzing.

Polyester fibres (often microfibres) are used to make fleece blankets. The texture is achieved by weaving the fabric with small, loose loops on one side and cutting them to give a soft, napped finish. If a fleece blanket is not regularly washed, the small fibres can become tangled and trap lint and grime. Sort laundry loads carefully and avoid excess heat and friction while washing and drying fleece to avoid damage to the fabric.

Unless they are trimmed with materials or decorations that require dry-cleaning only, most fleece blankets can be hand or machine-washed. Make sure you always check the care label of your fabric and follow any specific instructions before attempting to clean it in the laundry or tub.

Follow these steps to properly clean your fleece blanket without causing any damage

Pre-treat stains – Oil-based stains on fleece materials can be challenging to get rid of. Pre-treat the stains with an enzyme-based stain remover or a dab of heavy-duty laundry detergent before washing the whole blanket. Apply the cleaning solution on the stained area and work it in the fibres with a soft-bristled brush or your fingers. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes before washing the blanket.
Carefully choose the temperature and wash cycle of your laundry machine – To avoid undue wear and tear of the fibres, use the mild cycle of your washing machine if your blanket is not excessively dirty. If the blanket was used for a pet or is extremely unclean, use the permanent press cycle. It includes a cold rinse and a lower spin speed to prevent wrinkles from settling in. Always use cold or warm water when washing fleece, avoid hot water at all costs.
Pick a gentle laundry detergent – A gentle cleaning solution is always best for fleece. Make sure you do not use any bleach or fabric softeners. Bleach may destroy fleece fibres and fabric softeners will leave a residue on the fabric that will attract grime and soil in the future.
Sort your laundry – Fleece can attract lint from lint-producing textiles such as cotton flannel or terry cloth towels. Wash fleece blankets and garments separately from towels, sheets, and cotton clothing. Make sure you follow the instructions for decreasing and removing lint from the laundry machine.
Dry the blanket – Avoid using the automated dryer (even on low tumble speed) and instead, hang the blanket on a drying rack inside or a clothesline outside. This will reduce static friction. If you need your blanket dry straight away, place it in your dryer alone and choose low heat. Add a few wool dryer balls – those will keep the fibres of the blanket nice and fluffy.

Hand-washing a fleece blanket

Fill a large basin/tub – If you are hand-washing a fleece blanket, make sure the washing vessel is large enough for the blanket to be fully submerged in water and still have some time to move around. Usually, a bathtub, laundry basin, or large plastic storage tub will work great.
Follow the instructions on the care label – Make sure you pre-treat stains and soak the blanket in cold water.
Soak the blanket and wash it – Fill the tub halfway with cool water, then add a bit of gentle detergent. Add the blanket and gently squeeze it until it is totally saturated and submerged in water. Allow it to soak for about 20 minutes. Squeeze the fabric to assist remove filth (avoid aggressively scrubbing). Drain the cleaning water.
Rinse – Make sure you rinse the blanket well. Fill the tub with clean water and gently squeeze and raise the blanket in and out of the water. If there is soapy residue on your blanket, drain the water and do a second rinse. Make sure you remove all suds. Gently squeeze the blanket.
Dry – Skip the tumble dryer and hang your blanket on a dryer rack inside or a clothesline outside.

Ironing fleece blankets

Ironing fleece is not recommended, since the fibres might become matted or burnt if the iron is too hot. If the blanket has a lot of creases, dampen it and hang it to dry. To get rid of wrinkles, you can also use a clothes steamer on low heat.

Storing fleece blankets

Make sure the fleece blanket is completely dry before storing it away. Roll it, to prevent wrinkles and creases and keep it in a cool, dry place.