How to Get Smells Out of Throw Blankets
A stale, slightly sour smell from a throw blanket comes from daily use without washing, since body oils, skin, and the odors of the room soak into it. Wash it right for the fabric, dry it fully, and air it between washes, and it freshens.
We make small-batch beeswax candles in Far Rockaway, so a room that truly smells clean is our whole focus, and that always starts at the source rather than the scent. Below is where the smell comes from, how to clear it step by step, and how to keep the space fresh afterward, with the full the MBur beeswax candle collection here as you read.
Why throws go stale
Throw blankets get used constantly, for couch naps and TV nights, so they absorb skin oils, sweat, food smells, and pet odors. They rarely get washed on a schedule the way sheets do.
That buildup goes stale over weeks, and the smell sits in the fibers. A wash and regular airing is what clears it.
How to freshen it, step by step
- Check the care label. The fabric, fleece, knit, wool, or cotton, sets the method. Wool and delicate throws may need a hand wash or gentle cycle.
- Wash it appropriately. For most cotton and fleece throws, use a gentle warm or cool wash with detergent, and add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse to cut odor and residue.
- Skip fabric softener. It coats the fibers and traps smell. The vinegar rinse softens without leaving residue.
- Dry it fully. Tumble low or air dry per the label, since a blanket put away damp goes musty.
- Air it out between washes. Hang a not-yet-dirty throw outside or by an open window to freshen it.
Airing it out does more than you would think. A throw hung in fresh air for a few hours loses most of its staleness without a full wash.
Keep it from coming back
Wash throws every couple of weeks with regular use, and air them out in between.
Keep a washable throw on the spots that get the most use, especially where pets lounge.
Freshen the whole room once the source is gone
With the stale blanket handled, the air itself is the last step. A clean candle is the finishing touch here, best lit once the space is already clean. From there it is the fastest way to make the room read fresh rather than merely neutral.
For your living room, Touch Grass fits well. It is earthy and green, with fig, black currant, and cedarwood, and like every MBur candle it is poured from 100% beeswax with a wooden wick and phthalate-free non-toxic fragrance oils, so freshening the air never means adding soot on top.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I wash a throw blanket?
Every couple of weeks with daily use, and sooner if pets use it or it starts to smell.
Can I wash a fleece blanket?
Yes, on a gentle cool or warm cycle with mild detergent. Skip fabric softener and dry it on low, since high heat can damage fleece.
How do I freshen a blanket without washing it?
Hang it outside or by an open window for a few hours, or tumble it in the dryer on air with a dryer sheet alternative like a wool ball.
Why does my blanket smell even after washing?
Usually detergent or softener residue trapping odor. A vinegar-rinse wash strips it, and full drying keeps mustiness away.
Ready to keep your space smelling clean once the source is handled? Explore the MBur beeswax candle collection and find the scent that fits the room.
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