How to Machine Wash, Soften, and Spot Clean a Minky Blanket

An easy guide to caring for and keeping your minky blanket soft and plush

Co-authored by Devin McSween

Last Updated: December 19, 2022

Machine Washing a Minky Blanket

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Softening a Minky Blanket

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Spot Cleaning a Minky Blanket

After curling up with your minky blanket every night, it’s finally come time to wash it. But how can you do that without losing its luxurious softness? These plush blankets are actually super easy to wash! In this article, we’ll give you all the care instructions you need to properly wash and dry your minky blanket. Then, we’ll give you tips on how to get your blanket feeling soft again and how to remove any set-in stains.

Things You Should Know

Machine wash your minky blanket alone using a mild detergent and your machine’s coldest and most gentle cycle.
Air dry your blanket on a clothes drying rack or use your dryer’s low heat setting.
Soften your blanket by machine washing it on cold with a white vinegar and baking soda mixture.
Pour a small amount of mild detergent on stains and gently dab them with a cold, damp rag.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Machine Washing a Minky Blanket

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Put the blanket in your washer and add a mild detergent without softener. It’s best to wash your minky blanket alone to keep it fluffy and prevent color bleeding. Then, add a mild liquid detergent to your machine. Harsh, heavy detergents and fabric softeners can leave a residue on the luxurious fibers of your minky blanket that make it less soft.^{[1]
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- Mild detergents are often labeled as eco-friendly, clear, or made for sensitive skin.
- Be sure not to use bleach on your minky blanket either. Bleach can be really harsh and damage the fine fibers of your blanket.
- If you use your minky blanket often, it’s a good idea to wash it about every 2 weeks or so.
2
Wash your blanket on your washing machine’s delicate, cold setting. Using your machine’s most delicate and coldest setting helps to preserve your minky blanket’s softness. Minky blankets are made out of polyester, which is a type of plastic that can get easily damaged from heat.^{[2]
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Set your blanket out to air dry or dry it on low heat. After pulling your blanket from the wash, simply drape it over a clothes drying rack or hang it on a clothesline outside to dry. If you put it in the dryer, use a gentle, low heat cycle. Remove the blanket when it is still partially damp and hang it up to air dry all the way through.^{[3]
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- Minky blankets can get damaged from heat, so you want to dry them using the lowest amount possible. On your dryer, this might be your tumble, fluff, or air dry setting.
- Hanging your minky blanket to dry should prevent any wrinkles from forming. But if you do happen to spy some, don't use an iron. The high heat can easily damage your blanket. Instead, smooth your blanket out when it’s dry and carefully fold it up to prevent wrinkles.
- It’s normal for your minky blanket to shed a bit. If you notice any shedding, simply go over your blanket with a lint roller to remove any loose fibers.
- When you’re not using your blanket, store it in a cool, dry location to keep it plush, soft, and smelling great.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Softening a Minky Blanket

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Make a white vinegar and baking soda solution to soften your blanket. Simply add add ⅓ cup (79 mL) of white vinegar and ¼ cup (60 mL) of baking soda to a bowl and mix the ingredients together.^{[4]
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- White vinegar is a great cleaning agent. It can help soften and add back a glossy sheen to your blanket if it’s feeling a little rough or looks matted and dull.
- Your blanket doesn’t have to be losing its softness or look damaged to wash it with this mixture. You can use this vinegar mixture as your regular cleaning detergent.
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Add the mixture and your blanket to your machine and wash on cold. Add just your minky blanket to your washing machine. Then, pour the vinegar mixture into your detergent cap or over your blanket. Turn your machine to its most gentle and cold cycle to wash your blanket.^{[5]
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Set your blanket out to air dry. Once your minky blanket is finished in the wash, simply hang it up on a clothes drying rack or a clothing line. When it’s fully dry after several hours, fold it up to store it away or set it on your couch to enjoy later.^{[6]
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- You can also put your blanket in your dryer and use a low heat cycle. Just be sure to take your blanket out of the dryer when it’s still slightly damp. Then hang it up to let it dry fully.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Spot Cleaning a Minky Blanket

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Pour a drop of mild detergent onto the stain. Unfold your minky blanket and find the stained spot. Then, add a bit of mild detergent on top of it. It should be enough to fully cover the stain, but not so much that it seeps through the blanket.^{[7]
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- You can also treat the stain with a white vinegar and baking soda mixture.
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Blot the stain with a rag and cold water. Dampen a washcloth or towel with cold water and gently dab it into the detergent. Minky fabric is very delicate, so you do not want to rub or scrub the stain aggressively.^{[8]
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- You can machine wash your blanket after spot cleaning, but try to avoid over-washing your blanket. Frequent washings can degrade your blanket faster because the fabric is so delicate. If you do wash your blanket after spot cleaning, use your machine’s most gentle and coldest cycle.
3
Set your blanket out to air dry before folding or using. Drape your blanket over a clothes drying rack or hang it on a clothing line to dry. Once your blanket is fully dry, fold it up to use later or store it in a cool, dry place.^{[9]
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