When Was the Last Time You Washed Your Throw Blankets?

Nothing makes a movie marathon cozier than relaxing on the couch with a cozy throw blanket and your furry best friend. Now, pause for a second and think. When’s the last time you cleaned that throw? If you can’t remember, you’re not alone. Most of us should be washing our blankets far more regularly than we do. If you’re wondering how often you should freshen up your beloved blanket and the right way to do it, we spoke with Sarah McAllister, founder and CEO at GoCleanCo, to get all the answers.

How Often Should You Wash Throw Blankets?

Naturally, the answer to this is going to depend on a variety of factors like use, fabric, and the makeup of your household. “If only adults use it in a pet-free home, you can probably get away with washing them every three months,” McAllister says. “If kids, pets, or food are involved, the frequency should increase to monthly or as needed.”

Material also matters. Wool and cashmere throws will need to be dry cleaned, so you might want to let those go longer than a few months to save money (no shame there!). Once or twice a year will work, unless you stain it. Spill red wine? Take it right to the dry cleaner! The good news is that wool tends to stand up well to stains. “Wool blankets have a natural ability to not hold onto dirt and oils, so they can go longer between washes,” McAllister says. For cotton, microfiber, and other machine-washable materials, you can easily toss these in with the rest of your laundry when they need to be freshened up. Note that faux fur blankets have a knack for hiding dirt, but if you wash them too often, they can become matted. “When that happens, you can use a brush or comb to brush out the mats,” she says.

How Should You Wash Throw Blankets?

First things first: Always follow the care instructions on the blanket’s tag. If it says “dry clean only,” follow those rules or risk ruining your pricey throw.

For machine washable blankets, McAllister likes to toss them in the machine on a cool, gentle cycle with powdered Tide.

Knit blankets are a different story. “They should be placed in a mesh laundry bag first to avoid getting snagged in the machine. Lay them flat to dry to avoid any snags or shrinking. Cotton throws can be hung to dry or dried on low heat in the dryer (check those instructions!).