How to Clean and Care for Crochet Blankets and Clothing

Hand wash, avoid heat, and other tips that keep crocheted items looking great

A crochet blanket and a ball of yarn

The Spruce / Ana Cadena  

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 1 - 2 hrs
  • Total Time: 1 - 2 days
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0 to 10

If you have a crochet blanket, you want to clean it correctly to keep it looking beautiful. Whether it is made from wool, acrylic, or cotton yarn, it's best to wash your crochet blanket by hand using a gentle detergent or soap.

Learn how to wash and dry your crochet blanket following our simple steps.

How to Wash Crochet Blankets and Clothing
Detergent Mild
Water Temperature Cold
Cycle Type Hand-wash (preferred) or machine-wash delicate
Drying Cycle Type Air-dry (preferred) or low dryer heat
Special Instructions Wash alone
Iron Settings Do not iron
How Often to Wash Once each season (three to four months), or when visibly soiled

How Often to Wash Crochet Blankets and Clothing

Crochet blankets should be washed once a season unless you have animals or messy family members. Crochet clothing may not need to be washed after every wearing, especially if it's a sweater or a poncho that's layered over other clothing.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • 1 washbasin, bathtub, or bucket
  • 1 washing machine (optional)
  • 1 dryer (optional)
  • 1 large, mesh laundry bag
  • 1 vinyl dropcloth
  • 4 to 6  bath towels

Materials

  • 1 container mild laundry detergent

Instructions

How to Handwash Crochet Blankets and Clothing

White containers and towels for washing crochet blankets
The Spruce / Ana Cadena 
  1. Mix a Washing Solution

    Fill a bathtub or large sink with cold water and add a small amount of gentle detergent. Mix well so the detergent is evenly distributed. Submerge the crochet blanket and let it soak for 10 minutes. Gently swish and squeeze the crochet item in the solution; don't wring or scrub.

    Someone submerging a crochet blanket into a washing vessel
    The Spruce / Ana Cadena  
  2. Rinse

    Drain the soapy water and add fresh, cold water for rinsing. Repeat this process until the water is clear and free of suds.

    Water pouring onto a blanket in a basin
    The Spruce / Ana Cadena  
  3. Remove Excess Water

    If you're washing a blanket, use a sheet as a sling to remove it from the tub. After the dripping stops, support the item from underneath and transfer it to a dry towel (or several towels). Roll it up in the towels, firmly pressing (not wringing) as you go to absorb the liquid.

    Someone lifting a blanket out of a tub
    The Spruce / Ana Cadena  
  4. Lay Flat to Dry

    To dry a blanket, spread heavy plastic over the floor or bed to protect the surface and top the plastic with dry towels. Smooth the blanket over the towels to begin the drying process.

    Drying crochet items flat will help prevent stretching. Replace the towels with dry ones after several hours. Turn the item periodically to allow for even drying which can take up to 24 hours.

    Tip

    Card tables with protective, waterproof tops are the perfect size for air-drying crochet sweaters and accessories. If drying on a wood surface, safeguard it by using a vinyl tablecloth under the towel.

    Someone laying a blanket out to dry
    The Spruce / Ana Cadena  

How to Machine-Wash Crochet Blankets and Clothing

If you don't have the space or time to handwash your crochet, you can clean it in your washer.

  1. Use a mesh laundry bag. Put the crotchet item in a large delicates lingerie bag so it can move freely yet is protected from tangling.
  2. Use a front load washer or impeller top load washer. Only use a machine without a central agitator, and always wash on a delicate cycle with cold water.
  3. Air dry the crocheted piece. Whenever possible, crochet items should always be air dried—not run through a clothes dryer.

Caring for Different Types of Crochet Fibers

Many types of yarn can be used for crochet work, and the kind of yarn will determine its care. If you created the crochet work, refer to the yarn's label for care instructions. Ask the crafter or seller if you receive the crochet item as a gift or purchase it at a craft fair. If the crochet fiber is unknown, hand-wash it in cold water and dry it flat. Here are care instructions for the most common types of yarns:

  • Regular wool: Wash by hand in cold water to avoid felting and shrinking. Choose a detergent formula developed for wool or a mild baby shampoo. Specialty detergents containing lanolin, such as Eucalan, help preserve wool fibers and increase the water resistance of wool.
  • Superwash wool: Hand- or machine-wash on a gentle cycle in cold water.
  • Cotton, linen, and ramie: Wash in the washing machine on a gentle cycle using either cold or warm water.
  • Acrylic and other synthetic yarns: Hand- or machine-wash on a gentle cycle in cold water and use low-heat dryer settings.

Treating Stains on Crochet Blankets and Clothing

Most stains can be removed by treating the area with a dab of heavy-duty detergent. Work the detergent into the yarn with your fingers, and allow it to sit for 15 minutes before washing. Consult a stain removal guide for instructions on removing rust and more difficult stains.

How to Repair Crochet Blankets and Clothing

Crochet items can be challenging to repair. Small holes can be tightened by hand-stitching with matching color yarn or threads. However, if the break is significant, there may be nothing you can do other than purchase a replacement or unravel the project and crochet again.

Storing Crochet Blankets and Clothing

Store crochet items in a cool, dark closet. Don't store in basements and attics where humidity and temperatures fluctuate. Fold garments and blankets and stow them in breathable cotton bags or storage bins.

Never hang crochet clothing—the weight will stretch out the garment quickly. Use acid-free archival paper if storing smaller crochet objects.

Tips for Washing Crochet Blankets and Clothing

  • White cotton and yellowed acrylic yarns can be brightened by soaking them in an oxygen bleach solution. Unfortunately, oxygen bleach will not whiten wool fibers.
  • Crochet doilies usually need starching to stiffen them after washing. Spray starch lightly on both sides or follow directions for liquid starch for extra stiffness. Starch while gently pulling your piece into shape, or use rust-proof pins to attach the item to a chunk of Styrofoam, cardboard, or ironing board.
  • Test a strand taken from a hidden area to determine if your item is made from natural or synthetic fibers. Light the yarn with a match or flame. Natural fibers smell like burning hair and turn to ash, while synthetic fibers will melt and produce a chemical smell.
  • To see if your item is wool, cut a strand from an inconspicuous area, unravel the ends, and then rub them together with water. Wool will stick together and become felt, but synthetic yarn won't stick.
FAQ
  • If I crochet a blanket or garment as a gift, should I wash it before giving it away?

    It's a good idea to carefully wash any crochet blanket or garment before giving it as a gift or before use to ensure it is colorfast and will not bleed dye.

  • Can an item with acrylic yarn be machine-dried?

    Acrylic fibers can be damaged by high temperatures, so avoid machine-drying items if possible. If you must machine dry, choose a low-heat setting.

  • Should I avoid the spin cycle when washing by machine?

    With small, delicate items like doilies made from fine yarns, stop the machine before the spin cycle. The force from the spin cycle can crease the yarns and make them hard to reshape during drying. For larger items, use the gentle cycle that has a lower spin speed.