How to Clean a Mink Blanket

Contrary to popular belief, mink blankets aren't made from mink fur, but from long, fine acrylic fibers. One advantage to having synthetic material mink blankets is that they are machine washable. Don't be fooled by the "machine washable" label, however. Mink blankets cannot simply be tossed in with the rest of the laundry. High-quality mink blankets are usually manufactured in Korea and will last for years if properly cared for. Lower-quality mink blankets, which are usually manufactured in China, tend to shed and may require dry cleaning.

Instructions

1. Use a heavy-duty commercial washing machine to wash your mink blanket. Mink blankets become very heavy when wet and can bind up the washer if cleaned in a typical home washer. A washing machine at a laundromat should have no trouble cleaning a mink blanket, however.

2. Use a gentle detergent, such as Dreft or Woolite, to clean your mink blanket. Harsh detergents can reduce your blanket's lifespan.

3. Wash your mink blanket in cold water on the gentle cycle. The dyes used to color mink blankets tend to leech if washed in warm or hot water.

4. Tumble dry on the "no heat" setting. If the dryer doesn't have a no heat setting, you can line dry your mink blanket. Never use a heated drying cycle with a mink blanket; the acrylic fibers will melt and become matted together. Expect the drying time to be quite long; mink blankets retain a considerable amount of water after being washed.

Tips & Warnings

• If your mink blanket is heavily soiled, consider taking it to a professional dry cleaner. Mink blankets tend to be softer after the first washing, which washes out the starch used while manufacturing. If you don't have ready access to a laundromat, you can hand wash your mink blanket in a bathtub with cold water and mild soap.

• Never attempt to wash a full-sized mink blanket in a regular household washing machine. The blanket will become so heavy when soaked with water that it can burn out the washer's motor.