Day 23. Wash Throw Blankets and Pillows

Day 23 of “A 30 Day Guide to Spring Cleaning“.

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First of all, you may have washed your throw blankets and pillows during the furniture cleaning day, as per my suggestion, and if you did… CONGRATULATIONS! You are done for today (unless you want to wash them again, which is totally fair, I get it). If not… let’s talk about washing your throw pillows and blankets.

How often should I wash throw pillows? Every month/every couple months.

How often should I was throw blankets? Depending on use, likely twice a month.

Why is it important to wash these items? Your throw pillows and blankets receive regular use just like your furniture, and this use can cause stains, dirt, dander and hair to build up in them. On top of this, throw pillows can collect dust and dust mites, and it’s important for allergies and fresh air to make sure these items are washed.

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What to clean:

• Throw blankets
• Throw pillows
  • covers and pillow inserts (if possible)

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Supplies needed:

• Washer and dryer
• Dryer Balls ‘paid link’ / tennis ball in a sock
• Sponge with water (if unable to wash)
• Recommended:
  • Baking Soda, Vinegar, Dish Soap (pre-treatment for yellowing/stains)
• Alternative:
  • Your preferred pre-treatment

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Washing Throw Blankets

Most throw blankets can be put in the washer on a delicates cycle and dried on a low heat gentle setting. You will want to make sure that you check your care tags on your blankets prior to washing, as there are some items that are dry clean only, or no wash. If your items are dry clean only, you can have them professionally dry cleaned, or you can at least take them outside and swat the dust and dirt out of them to help re-fresh them.

If you are able to wash your throw blankets in the washer, you can simply throw them in the washer with a gentle detergent, and wash on a delicate cycle. I would recommend pre-treating these if there are any stains or yellowing from use.

Out of washer pre-treat (recommended method):

1. Take down your shower curtains and liners.
2. Fill your tub (or a plastic bin) with hot water, deep enough to just cover the shower curtains and liners.
3. Add 1 cup baking soda sprinkled over top of the shower curtains.
4. Add 1 tsp dish soap (I highly recommend Dawn for this)
5. Add 2 cups vinegar on top of baking soda and dish soap.
6. Hand mix these items into the water, while slightly agitating the shower curtains and liners in the process.
7. Allow this to sit for at least 15 minutes, but an hour is best.
8. Wring out and place in the washer, and wash with regular detergent.

Inside washer pre-treat:

1. For top loaders you can follow the steps above allowing your machine to fill with hot water and get the same results by leaving your lid open to allow the washer to fill without starting (OMIT THE DISH SOAP)
2. For front loaders: take down your shower curtains and liners.
3. Place them in your washer and add 1/2 cup baking soda.
4. Add your detergent to the specified place, and then add vinegar to the bleach and fabric softener compartments.
5. Set your washer on pre-treat, or soak cycle if available, or just pause the washer after it has filled to allow these to sit for about 15 minutes.
6. Allow the washer to finish out it’s regular washing cycle after soaking.

The acid-base reaction of the baking soda and vinegar, although diluted by water, provides a great stain treatment method for yellowing and buildup.

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Washing Throw Pillows

Similarly to the throw blankets, many throw pillows are able to be machine washed. A lot of pillows you can take the the pillow cases off of the pillow itself for washing, but you will want to wash the covers and the pillow inserts. Many inserts with stuffing or down can be washed in the washer, but be sure to check your care tags prior to washing.

For foam inserts, you can wash these in a bin with soapy water, being sure to wring out all the excess water and allowing ample time to dry.

Be sure to place pillows across from each other in the washer in order to properly balance the washer.

Do not use fabric softener when washing pillows, as the softener can coat the filling and cause the pillow to loose it’s fluff.

Use the pre-treatment methods above to pre-treat any pillows or covers with stains or yellowing on them.

Use Dryer Balls ‘paid link’ in the dryer to help evenly dry the pillows on a low heat, gentle setting. Additionally, you can use a tennis ball in a sock, or an old clean shoe. The shoe (if you have one to spare) is nice because the added weight can help to reduce any lumping of the filling in the pillows.

Fabrics to avoid washing:

• Velvet
• Embellished fabrics
• Leather
• Suede
• Silk
• Wool
• Organza

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If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments and I would be happy to get back with you.

Check out Day 22. Deep Clean Toilets and Wash Shower Curtains.

Check out Day 24. Organizing Family Paperwork and Mail here.

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