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If you find yourself cold throughout the winter months, a sherpa blanket might help you. The way the blanket hugs around you is enough to keep heat trapped in on the coldest of days. It even repels water! Sherpa blankets are durable, but they require special cleaning care as they are made up of fragile fibers, and here’s how to wash sherpa blanket safely.
What Is a Sherpa Blanket?
Sherpa is designed to look like and feel like sheepskin, but it is made of 100% synthetic material. This blanket is warmer than most other fleece blankets on the market. Sherpa is named after the people in Nepal.
The blanket was designed to resemble the clothing that the tribes would wear, with fleece lining the inside and the outer shell taking on a smooth texture.
What You Need to Clean a Sherpa Blanket
Sherpa blankets require extra care as they are more delicate than most fleece or wool blankets. You will need fragrance free, dye-free gentle detergent, white vinegar, a washing machine or a tub if you are doing it by hand.
You can opt out of laundry detergent and use dish soap if you are doing it by hand. Make sure to have gloves on hand if your hands are sensitive to cleaners.
How You Clean a Sherpa Blanket
Cleaning in a Washing Machine
- Shake out the blanket and put it in the washing machine.
- Make sure you are throwing it in by itself, putting too many items in will ruin the fabric and shred it.
- Pour in a small amount of the fragrance free, dye-free gentle detergent.
- Set the washing machine to cold water.
- Set the washing machine to a delicate cycle.
- Hang to dry or use low-temperature setting on a delicate cycle.
Remember to never use high heat, fabric softeners and bleach as this will reduce the longevity of the blanket. However, you can replace fabric softener with a half cup of white vinegar.
Cleaning By Hand
- Fill up a tub with cold water.
- Add a small amount of gentle detergent or dish soap into the water.
- Soak the blanket in the soapy water for about fifteen minutes.
- Gently scrub the blanket.
- Thoroughly rinse under a running tap until you no longer see any bubbles or residue coming out.
- Hang the blanket to air dry.
As we mentioned before, sherpa is made up of fragile fibers and requires extra care. The fleece is a fabric that is made of recycled petroleum or plastic and is carefully and tightly weaved with microfleece.
Without the proper care this fabric will get rough, so it’s important to pay attention to the products you are using and how you are washing your sherpa.
What Can Damage a Sherpa Blanket During Washing?
Heat, certain detergents that contain dye and fragrance, dryer sheets, as well as being put in with other clothing and blankets while washing can damage a sherpa blanket.
Additionally, not rinsing properly can damage the blanket and lead to pilling.
Where Can You Get a Sherpa Blanket
If this extra care is not a big deal for you, you can get this blanket in almost any shopping center or online. You can even find high-quality sherpa blankets at bedding stores.
FAQ
How Do You Keep a Sherpa Blanket from Matting?
To keep a sherpa blanket from matting and becoming rough, ensure you are not washing it with other items. Instead of using fabric softener on the blanket, make sure to use white vinegar.
Is Sherpa Warmer than Wool?
Yes, sherpa is warmer than wool. This versatile fabric is very tightly woven together with material that can repel water and has been specifically designed for cold weather.
Is Sherpa Affordable?
Sherpa can be expensive and the price varies depending on where you are buying it. Regardless, it is a more expensive blanket due to the construction and high-quality material that results in durability and comfort.
Bottom Line
While sherpa blankets require more care than other fleece blankets, they come with fantastic features that are worth having. The warmth and water repelling alone is worth the series of steps it takes to wash. However, these blankets don’t require over washing and are quite easy to clean if you have the right products.