How To Wash Acrylic Yarn Blanket

That cozy acrylic yarn blanket draped over your couch? It’s survived movie nights, sick days, and probably at least one pet nap. But when it finally needs a wash, a lot of people freeze up — worried they’ll stretch it out, mat the fibers, or turn something soft and fluffy into a scratchy mess.

The good news is this: acrylic yarn is one of the most wash-friendly fibers out there. It just needs a little respect. Follow the right steps, avoid a few common traps, and your blanket comes out clean, soft, and looking just as good as the day it was made.

Understanding Acrylic Yarn — What Makes It Different

Acrylic yarn is a synthetic fiber made from a polymer called polyacrylonitrile. Unlike wool or cotton, it doesn’t absorb water the same way, which is both a blessing and a challenge when laundry day rolls around.

Here’s why that matters for washing:

• It doesn’t shrink like wool — but it can distort under high heat
• It holds color well — but harsh detergents can dull it over time
• It’s lightweight — but excessive agitation can cause pilling or fiber damage
• It dries faster than natural fibers — but high dryer heat can melt or warp the strands

Think of acrylic yarn like a good synthetic sports jersey — built tough, but still needing gentle handling to keep its shape and feel.

Before You Wash: The Two Things You Must Do First

Jumping straight into washing without preparation is how blankets get ruined. Two minutes of prep saves hours of regret.

Check the Care Label

Every yarn blanket’s care label is essentially a cheat sheet. Look for symbols indicating:

• Machine wash cold (a tub with water and a temperature marker)
• Gentle cycle (a tub with one line underneath)
• Do not bleach (a crossed-out triangle)
• Tumble dry low or lay flat to dry

If the label is missing or faded, the safest default for handmade acrylic blankets is cold water and a gentle cycle.

Gather Your Supplies

You don’t need anything fancy. Here’s what works:

How to Machine Wash an Acrylic Yarn Blanket

Machine washing is perfectly fine for most acrylic yarn blankets — as long as the settings are right. The machine itself isn’t the danger; wrong settings are.

Step-by-Step Machine Wash Instructions

1. Place the blanket in a large mesh laundry bag. This reduces friction and prevents the yarn from catching on the drum.
2. Select the gentle or delicate cycle. Aggressive spin cycles stretch and distort loosely knit or crocheted blankets.
3. Set the water temperature to cold or lukewarm — never hot. Heat is acrylic’s worst enemy.
4. Add a small amount of mild liquid detergent — about half the amount you’d use for a regular load. Too much detergent leaves residue in the fibers and makes the blanket feel stiff.
5. Skip the fabric softener. It sounds counterintuitive, but fabric softener coats synthetic fibers and actually reduces softness over time. A capful of white vinegar in the rinse cycle works better and keeps fibers fresh.
6. Run an extra rinse cycle if the blanket is thick. Acrylic holds onto soap surprisingly well, and leftover detergent causes itchiness and stiffness.
7. Remove the blanket promptly when the cycle ends. Leaving it bunched in a wet drum encourages mildew and permanent creasing.

How to Hand Wash an Acrylic Yarn Blanket

Hand washing takes more effort but gives you complete control — especially useful for delicate crochet blankets, heirloom pieces, or blankets labeled “hand wash only.”

Step-by-Step Hand Wash Instructions

1. Fill a bathtub or large basin with lukewarm water. Make sure there’s enough room for the blanket to move freely.
2. Add a small amount of mild detergent and swirl to dissolve before submerging the blanket. Pouring detergent directly onto yarn can leave concentrated spots.
3. Gently submerge the blanket and press it down into the water. Don’t wring, twist, or scrub — those motions stretch and felt the fibers.
4. Soak for 10–15 minutes, gently squeezing the water through the fabric every few minutes.
5. Drain the soapy water and refill with clean, cool water for rinsing. Repeat the gentle squeeze-and-press until the water runs clear and no suds remain.
6. Lift the blanket carefully — don’t pick it up by one end. Support the entire weight to avoid stretching wet fibers, which are more vulnerable than dry ones.
7. Gently press (never wring) excess water out between clean dry towels.

Machine Wash vs. Hand Wash — Which Is Better?

Neither method is inherently superior. The right choice depends on the blanket’s construction, size, and how delicate the yarn is.

For most machine-knit or tightly crocheted acrylic blankets, a machine wash on gentle is the practical winner. For loosely crocheted lace-style blankets or pieces with embellishments, hand washing is the safer bet.

How to Dry Your Acrylic Yarn Blanket

Washing it right and then drying it wrong undoes everything. Drying is where most acrylic blanket damage actually happens.

Air Drying (Recommended)

• Lay the blanket flat on a clean surface or a drying rack. Never hang it — the weight of wet fibers will stretch the blanket out of shape.
• Reshape it gently while still damp, smoothing out any bunching or uneven sections.
• Flip it halfway through drying to ensure even airflow and prevent one side from drying stiff.
• Expect 4–8 hours for full air drying depending on thickness and humidity.

Tumble Drying (Use With Caution)

Some acrylic blankets can handle a dryer — but only on the lowest heat setting. High heat literally melts acrylic fibers, causing them to fuse, harden, or pill severely.

• Use low heat or air-only (no heat) setting
• Add two or three clean tennis balls wrapped in socks — they fluff the fibers and cut drying time
• Check every 15–20 minutes and remove while still slightly damp
• Never over-dry — acrylic becomes stiff and loses softness when heat-dried completely

Common Washing Mistakes to Avoid

Small errors compound quickly with textiles. These are the mistakes that show up most often:

• Using hot water — heat warps acrylic fibers permanently
• Over-loading the washing machine — the blanket needs room to move; a cramped machine means uneven cleaning and more friction damage
• Using too much detergent — leaves a residue that makes the blanket stiff and itchy
• Wringing out the water — this stretches and distorts yarn that’s temporarily weakened when wet
• Hanging the blanket to dry — gravity pulls wet fibers downward and permanently elongates the piece
• Washing with rough items — zippers, Velcro, and rough fabrics act like sandpaper against soft yarn and cause pilling

Keeping Your Blanket Fresh Between Washes

You don’t need to wash an acrylic blanket every week. Over-washing gradually breaks down any textile. Between washes:

• Air it out regularly — drape it outside or near an open window for an hour to release odors naturally
• Spot-clean small stains immediately with a damp cloth and a drop of mild soap
• Store it folded in a breathable cotton bag — never in plastic, which traps moisture and causes mildew
• Brush gently with a fabric lint brush to remove pet hair and surface pills without washing

Key Takeaways

• Always wash acrylic yarn blankets in cold or lukewarm water — heat is the number one cause of fiber damage and distortion.
• Use the gentle cycle with a mesh laundry bag to protect the structure of knitted or crocheted blankets during machine washing.
• Mild liquid detergent in small amounts gives the cleanest result without leaving stiff, soapy residue.
• Lay the blanket flat to dry — hanging or over-drying in high heat causes permanent stretching and fiber damage.
• Spot-clean between washes and air the blanket out regularly to extend its life without unnecessary washing cycles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often should I wash my acrylic yarn blanket?
Washing every 3–4 weeks with regular use is a reasonable rhythm for most households. If it’s more of a decorative piece used occasionally, washing it every 2–3 months is plenty. Over-washing acrylic yarn gradually weakens the fibers, so less is more.

Can I put an acrylic yarn blanket in the dryer?
Yes, but only on the lowest heat or air-only setting. High heat causes acrylic fibers to melt, harden, or pill. The safest option is always to lay it flat to air dry, but a low-heat tumble for 15–20 minutes is acceptable if you’re in a hurry.

What is the best detergent for washing an acrylic yarn blanket?
A mild, liquid laundry detergent — like one labeled “gentle” or “delicate” — works best. Avoid powder detergents (they don’t dissolve fully in cold water) and anything with bleach or optical brighteners, which dull synthetic fibers and can weaken yarn over time.

Why does my acrylic blanket feel stiff after washing?
Stiffness after washing is almost always caused by too much detergent or insufficient rinsing. Run an extra rinse cycle to flush out soap residue. Adding a capful of white vinegar to the rinse water softens acrylic fibers naturally and eliminates that stiff, scratchy feel.

Can I use fabric softener on an acrylic yarn blanket?
Avoid it. Fabric softener coats synthetic fibers like acrylic with a waxy film that actually reduces softness over repeated washes. For a softer result, use white vinegar in the rinse cycle — it’s gentler, leaves no residue, and works better on acrylic than conventional softeners.

How do I remove a stain from an acrylic yarn blanket without washing the whole thing?
Act fast — the sooner you treat a stain, the easier it comes out. Dab (don’t rub) a mixture of mild soap and cool water directly onto the stain using a clean cloth. Work from the outside edge inward to prevent spreading. Rinse with cool water and press dry with a towel. Avoid hot water even for spot cleaning, as it can set certain stains permanently into acrylic.

Can I wash a handmade crocheted acrylic blanket the same way as a store-bought one?
Generally yes, but handmade blankets often have looser stitches that are more vulnerable to stretching. Hand washing gives you better control for these. If machine washing, always use a mesh laundry bag and the gentlest cycle available to protect the structure of the stitch pattern.