When sweater weather arrives, your first instinct is to pull out warm fluffy blankets from the back of the linen closet. Fall and winter are all about cozy layers, but your bedding needs regular care to stay fresh, soft, and ready for the chilly nights ahead. And after months of sitting in storage, your blankets are probably due for a good wash.
We’re going to cover how to clean a blanket in detail ahead. But if your blankets have seen better days or you or your partner sleeps hot at night—even on frigid nights—it might be time to switch to cooling bedding. Whether you’re pulling out your favorite blankets or upgrading your sleep system, here’s how to keep blankets soft and clean through fall and winter.
How Often to Wash Blankets
Fall is the time to curl up under soft blankets and reach for mugs of cocoa and comforting snacks. Movie nights in bed are practically a staple of the season, but that means inevitable spills and runaway crumbs.
Even if you’re diligent about keeping pets and food out of the bedroom, bedding can trap oils from your skin, skin cells, pet hair and dander, dust, allergens, and even mold spores floating around in the air, so washing your bedding regularly is essential. But how often?
As a rule, it’s best to wash your sheets once a week and blankets—including comforters, quilts, and duvet covers—at least once a month. In between washes, spot clean regularly and try to keep food and pets off the bed when possible.
Just be careful not to overdo it. Washing your bedding too often can wear down the fibers and compromise the moisture-wicking and cooling features of advanced performance fabrics, so find the sweet spot between keeping your bedding clean and preserving its integrity for years to come.
How to Wash Blankets & Comforters
Here are some general rules for washing your bedding—but always follow the manufacturer’s care instructions on your blankets.
Gently shake off the blanket.
Grab the corners and shake off any loose crumbs, dirt, hair, dust, and debris. If your pets sleep on the bed, use a gentle pet roller or sponge to remove as much pet hair as possible before washing.
Wash blankets separately.
Blankets, quilts, comforters, and coverlets need enough space in the washing machine to move freely and rinse adequately, so wash them in a separate load and be sure not to overload the washer.
Wash in cold or cool water.
Always follow the manufacturer’s care instructions. If the label says to wash the blanket in cold water, for example, don’t choose the warm or hot setting on your machine thinking this will remove more dirt and debris. Not following the care instructions could compromise the materials in your bedding.
Use mild, fragrance-free detergent.
Synthetic fragrances contain harsh chemicals that can compromise the integrity of performance fabrics, while hot water can shrink some materials and compromise performance features. To be safe, wash your blankets on a gentle cycle in cool or lukewarm water.
Do not use fabric softener.
While fabric softeners promise to leave your blankets and clothes soft and smelling great, these products leave a waxy coating on linens that can build up over time. This can compromise the integrity of performance fabrics, so avoid liquid fabric softeners and dryer sheets altogether. With proper care, your blankets and sheets will maintain their silky softness on their own—especially if you invest in high-end products like SHEEX® cooling bedding.
Air dry or tumble-dry on the lowest heat setting.
Air/line drying is a safe option, but tumble drying your blankets on a low-heat setting should fluff them up without compromising the integrity of the materials. Just be sure to remove bedding right away to avoid wrinkling, and don’t over-dry.
Additional Blanket Cleaning Tips
Here are some additional ways to keep your blankets clean and fluffy all fall and in winter:
- Shake your blankets out regularly
- Remove lint or pet hair with a fabric brush daily
- Periodically air blankets out in a shady spot on a nice (low-humidity) day in between washes; fresh air helps remove odors and debris
- Consider an extra rinse cycle to ensure all the soap rinses out; residue can make bedding fabric stiff
- It bears repeating—always follow the manufacturer’s care instructions
SHEEX® Bedding: Cozy Warmth for Fall—Without Overheating
SHEEX® cooling bedding is engineered with advanced moisture-wicking and cooling technologies that actively pull heat away from your body, for cooler, more comfortable sleep. SHEEX® fabrics breathe up to 10x better than cotton. If you sleep hot at night, even in the winter, SHEEX® cooling bedding is your solution for fewer nighttime interruptions and deeper, more restorative sleep—guaranteed.
Start building your fall and winter sleep system with SHEEX® cooling duvet covers, comforters, quilts, and coverlets. Layer your bedding as needed for just the right amount of warmth as the weather changes.
Diamond Collection Quilted Coverlet and Shams: The SHEEX® Arctic Aire•MAX Diamond Collection Quilted Coverlet and Shams blend elegant design with advanced, moisture-wicking comfort using silky-soft 100% TENCEL™ Modal and lightweight polyester fill to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable all night.
Arctic Aire•MAX Diamond Collection Shams
$10.00
$40.00
Description Details Care The SHEEX® Arctic Aire•MAX Diamond Collection Shams combine subtle sophistication with advanced comfort. Designed with a classic diamond stitch pattern, this set adds an elegant touch to any bedroom while delivering the lightweight comfort you crave.Crafted from… read more
Original Performance All Season Comforter: Designed with breathable, moisture-wicking performance fabric and filled with hypoallergenic CoolX™ fiber with a unique hollow shape, the All Season Comforter (also available in Graphite) provides lightweight warmth and optimal temperature regulation all year long.
Original Performance All Season Comforter
$293.30
$419.00
Description Details Care Snuggle up with our All Season comforter! This lighter-weight comforter is designed to keep you warm without overheating, making it perfect for year-round comfort.Our All Season comforter’s shell is made from our signature SHEEX®Original Performance stretch-knit fabric.… read more
Arctic Aire•MAX Washed Quilt Set: A hypoallergenic, ultra-breathable layer made from eco-friendly 100% TENCEL™ Lyocell and enhanced with CoolX™ Technology, the SHEEX® Arctic Aire•MAX Washed Quilt Set wicks away moisture to keep you cool, cozy, and allergy-free all night long.
Arctic Aire•MAX Channel Coverlet: Crafted from ultra-soft 100% TENCEL™ Lyocell with CoolX™ Technology, the Arctic Aire•MAX Channel Coverlet features a wide channel stitch for modern texture and delivers breathable, moisture-wicking comfort for both warm and cold sleepers alike.
MIDNIGHT LABEL Duvet Cover: By fusing the cooling minerals embedded in brrr˚ Nylon with our SLEEP•TECH® Technology, SHEEX® has created the perfect outer layer for your comforter, the Midnight Label Duvet Cover.
Caring for SHEEX® Bedding
While the general care instructions we provided earlier apply to most SHEEX® bedding items, check the care instructions specific to each product. Some items, like quilts or coverlets, may have specialized washing or drying instructions to help maintain their best condition.
Check the label on your product or visit the product page on our website for laundering instructions. With just a few mindful steps, you can keep your SHEEX® bedding performing its best, night after night!
