Wool Blankets - Take Good Care And They Can Last You A Lifetime

Wool blankets can provide warmth and comfort for decades if you take proper care of them. It is a refreshing change in a world where people routinely trade in their car every 3 years, their PCs every other year and their clothes every season. Here are some tips for keeping your blankets in tiptop shape.

Most woolen products, blankets included, do not like to be washed in water or machine-washed. Washing in water will cause shrinkage. Shrinkage will cause the blanket to become more dense and stiff. It will lose shape and softness and you will soon be looking for another blanket. Should a blanket shrink you will not be able to re-stretch it without ruining the blanket. Having said this, there are some blankets that are treated with a chemical that will allow them to be water washed so it is advisable to read the washing instructions or clarify before you buy how the product should be cleaned.

Dry cleaning is the best way to clean a wool blanket. This mitigates the effects that water will have on the wool and leaves the blanket fresh and soft. You don't need to dry clean the blanket often, maybe two or three times a year. In between the dry cleaning a good shake or brushing off is adequate.

Wool is a popular source of nutrition for many insects. Moths are particularly fond of wool and care must be taken when storing wool blankets that moths and other insects do not come into contact with them. Some measures you could take to prevent moth damage are to ensure that the space where you store the blankets is moth proofed. Mothballs and crystals are ever popular. Place the balls into the space before you add the blankets. This will repel any moths that might be thinking of laying eggs in the area. Another alternative could be to seal your blankets in plastic but this is not always practical or cost effective. Place mothballs in with the blankets. Give them a dust off every 6 months if you are planning on string them for any length of time.

If moth larvae get at your blankets they will eat holes in the fabric. Provided the holes are not too big you could always add a patch into the blanket but it will never be as durable as before so prevent moths at all costs.

Over time, areas of the blanket will start to show signs of wear. Little bobbles of wool will form around the wearing areas. This is known as pilling. The fabric will become rougher than normal and the insulation qualities will be degraded. The bobble can be removed by applying a soft brush to the affected area.

Wool is a hardy, durable product that requires minimal care. By following the simple instructions you can be sure that your blankets will last for many years if not decades.

About the author:
Adrian Whittle is a writer for blanketsnquilts.com Be sure to visit the site for more tips on caring for your wool blankets and useful articles on a wide variety of blankets from yoga blankets to horse blankets.