Photo blankets, whether
they’re used for snuggling in or for decorative purposes, can get dirty pretty
quickly. Before you’re done admiring the fine craftsmanship, you might notice the
odd speck of dust or two. Which begs the question can photo blankets be dry
cleaned?
Not only that but with time,
this will, of course, only get worse. But fret not, it is possible to keep your
photo blanket looking as good as new.
Before we get into the real
information on how to keep your photo blanket clean, fresh, and looking its
best, let’s start first with the quick answer.
Can Photo Blankets Be Dry
Cleaned? Although you can clean your
photo blankets in a variety of ways, it is not recommended that you dry clean
them. This is because the photos are likely to fade. There are specific ways to
clean photo blankets such as washing machines on a gentle cycle, but never
iron, bleach, or use harsh chemicals.
We also covered this in our FAQ section, and now
this guide will take you a little more in-depth regarding cleaning a photo
blanket.
Ok so now you’re armed with
the neat explanation of keeping your memory blanket free from any nasties, you
might be wondering if it’s also possible to put your blanket in a washing
machine, so let’s take a look.
Can I machine
wash my photo blanket?
To clean a photo blanket,
machine-wash the blanket using gentle settings and minimal detergent. Make sure
you avoid bleach, fabric softeners, or other harsh chemicals.
Dry cleaning a photo blanket
is not possible though, as that can cause the image on it to fade.
“Dry cleaning a photo blanket is
not possible
though, as that can cause the image
on it to fade.”
So how do you keep a fleece
photo blanket clean and fresh as a daisy? Let’s take a look.
Fleece
blankets
Fleece blankets should be
grouped with fabrics of similar color and then washed in cold water on a gentle
cycle, after which they can be air-dried.
You should never steam iron
or dry clean since that will most certainly result in melting. Avoid using strong
detergents, fabric softeners, and bleach when washing your fleece photo
blankets.
“You should never steam iron or dry
clean since
that will most certainly result in
melting.”
So ok, we now know some
important tips about how to protect your photo blanket from germs and keep it
looking as good as the day you bought it.
You might also be wondering
if over time it will fade? Let’s discover that below.
Will your
photo blanket fade?
The pictures on your blanket
usually will not fade, since they are a part of the textile, either through
weaving or sublimation.
However, like any other
fabric, do not leave your photo blanket hanging around in direct sunlight for
an extended time period.
“The pictures on your blanket
usually will not fade,”
In order to help us
understand a little more easily as to whether you can dry clean your photo
blankets, let’s start by looking at the different kinds available.
What kind of photo blanket fabric to be cleaned
Woven Blankets
This is typically the
most-ordered type of photo blanket. The material comprises pure cotton
jacquard, with the digital picture woven into the fabric.
All four sides have a fringe
around them, the fringe on two of the sides being made up of the threads used
in the weave whereas the other two sides feature a black and white color.
“This is typically the most-ordered type of photo blanket.”
Fleece blankets
This is a synthetic fabric
made from polyethylene terephthalate, which can be manufactured using recycled
plastic items.
* Your chosen image is printed on these types of
blankets through a digital printer, by applying controlled heat and pressure.
In this way, the image becomes a part of the fabric.
* Fleece blankets should be grouped with fabrics of
similar color and then washed in cold water on a gentle cycle, after which they
can be air-dried.
* You should never steam iron or dry clean since that
will most certainly result in melting. Avoid using strong detergents, fabric
softeners, and bleach when washing your fleece photo blankets.
This method allows for better
image quality, however, it also requires images of a much higher resolution as
compared to those needed for a woven blanket.
As you might be wondering
what are the best cleaning methods for each type of photo blanket, lets explore
below.
Cleaning
methods for each type of photo blanket
Let’s take a look at some of
the best methods to clean each type of photo blanket.
Cleaning a fleece blanket
Dry cleaning a fleece blanket
aside, the difficult part of cleaning a fleece photo blanket, or any other
fuzzy throws, such as microfibre and faux fur, is to preserve their amazingly
soft texture.
* In order to prevent matting or pilling, wash your
fleece blankets separately in cold water on a gentle cycle. Use a minimal
amount of detergent, since a greater quantity of it won't make your blanket
cleaner.
* In fact, the greater amounts of detergent usually
stick to the fleece fibers gives you blanket that coarse, rugged texture.
* Bleach and fabric softeners should also be avoided
because they can affect the blanket's dye and also cause damage to the fiber.
* Since polyester fleece is stain-resistant by
nature, washing it with cold water and a minimal amount of detergent will be
enough to clean your fleece blanket.
* For tough stains that wouldn’t budge, pre-treat
those spots with a drop of regular dishwashing liquid, letting it soak on the
spot for about 15 minutes, and then blot it away with a washcloth or paper
towel.
* Hang your fleece blankets up to air dry, or place
them in the dryer on a no-heat, gentle cycle. Avoid exposing your fleece
blanket to direct sunlight or high temperatures, because that will cause its
fibers to shrink or melt.
Cleaning a weighted blanket
The ideal way to wash a
weighted blanket depends greatly on its design, and also the type of filler and
fabric, dry cleaning is not an option for this type of blanket.
Photo blankets that are
weighted with plastic pellets or glass micro-beads are typically safe for machine
washing but not for being dry cleaned. However, it is best to check the care
label for specific washing instructions.
* Weighted photo blankets that weigh up to 20 pounds
can be washed in your regular washing machine with cold water and mild cleaning
agents on a gentle cycle.
* Using bleach will damage blanket fibers over time,
whereas fabric softeners, leave a residue that gives your blanket a coarse,
starchy texture.
* For smaller stains that don't require a full
washing, you can spot-clean the weighted blanket using a solution of lukewarm
water and detergent.
* In order to dry your weighted blanket, toss it in
the dryer on a low-heat cycle, or spread it out on a dry surface to air dry.
Make sure that the blanket is hanged evenly when it is left to dry so that it
doesn't lose its shape. If the blanket weighs more than 20 pounds, then it is
better to let a laundromat do the job instead. Commercial-sized washing
machines are better equipped to wash heavy blankets.
Cleaning a wool blanket
Since wool blankets are of
dirt and stain repelling nature, they only need to be washed a couple of times
each year. You can refresh a wool photo blanket between washes by brushing it
with a fabric brush with soft bristles to get rid of all the dirt and debris.
In order to prevent the blanket's fibers from getting damaged, make sure to
brush in the same direction.
* Before washing, check the blanket’s care label to
make sure it is not dry-cleaned only. If the blanket is machine-washable, then
use a wool-safe detergent and cold water.
* Place the photo blanket in the machine, allowing it
to soak in the water and detergent solution for nearly 20 minutes.
* Select a gentle cycle and let it run for two
minutes before switching to the rinse cycle. When done, hang the wool blanket
to air dry but avoid direct exposure to sunlight, which might cause the
blanket’s colors to fade.
* Wool blankets shouldn’t be placed in a dryer or dry
cleaned, as this can cause damage to the delicate fibers, resulting in
shrinkage which would ultimately give your blanket a coarse texture.
And finally…
The Memories Place is an
excellent place to get personalized photo blankets from.
We have been leading the
photo blanket industry for the past 16 years, owing to our skilled experts and
professional service. Our custom made blankets are the perfect memory gift for
every occasion, such as
weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas, or any special celebration.