Most families have an afghan or two for keeping warm during those cold winter months. However, when a handmade afghan gets dirty or begins to smell stale, it takes some special care to launder them and keep them looking like new.
Laundering is hard on any type of handmade throw. With each washing, the threads separate just a little bit more and take on a fuzzy look. Occasionally, the yarn can even unravel. To keep an afghan in like-new condition, it should be laundered as little as possible.
If the afghan is merely stale smelling, it can be draped over a clothesline or porch rail for a few hours. Direct sunlight can kill odor causing germs and leave the afghan smelling fresh. If it’s not practical to hang the throw outside, it can be freshened up in the dryer instead. Set the dryer to “Air”, toss in a sheet of fabric softener and let tumble for about 5 minutes.
But what do you do if the afghan is soiled and needs laundering?
Since hand made afghans don’t usually don’t come with washing instructions, the owner has to use her better judgment when it comes to laundering. Is the afghan made of wool or some type of premium yarns? Does it contain red yarn that may run?
If the throw is an antique, or made with red or fancy yarns, it’s better not to take any chances. For best results, send this item out to be dry cleaned. However, if what you’ve got is an ordinary afghan, it can be safely washed in the sink.
Setting the colors
If the afghan has never been washed before, you may want to set the colors to prevent fading. To set the colors, fill your kitchen sink three quarters full with lukewarm water. Add one cup of white vinegar and swoosh around to mix. Drop the afghan directly into the ink, submerging completely into the water. Let soak one hour, then drain.
Washing
After draining the vinegar water, the afghan can be laundered. Fill the sink with lukewarm water then add a measure of laundry soap. I use the level recommended for “small” loads. Gently agitate the throw with your hands for about five minutes, taking care not to stretch the material out of shape. After five minutes, continue to let the afghan soak for an additional ten minutes (or longer if heavily soiled). Agitate briefly, then drain the water.
Rinsing
After washing, the afghan will have to be rinsed a couple of times to remove all the soap. The easiest method is to fill the sink again with lukewarm rinse water, agitate slightly, then drain the water. You may have to repeat this process until all the soap is removed.
Gently squeeze dry
After the final rinse, let the afghan drip dry in the sink for 15 minutes or so. It’s fine to gently squeeze out excess moisture, however, do not wring the material. Wringing damages the yarn and can ruin the shape of hand woven textiles.
Once the bulk of the water has drained, remove the afghan from the sink and place in a large beach towel. Roll the afghan in the towel, gently squeezing to remove the remaining moisture. Repeat with a second towel if needed.
Drip dry
Equally important as proper washing is proper drying since afghans tend to dry in the shape they’ve been hung. For best results, it’s best to hang the afghan over a shower rod or clothes line that has first been draped with a towel. The towel will prevent marks or line stains from damaging the afghan.
Once the afghan has been placed on the rod, adjust the material so that it hangs neatly and as straightly as possible, without placing any tension on the stitches. Let dry overnight.
A handmade afghan is a lovely gift. By following these simple steps, you can keep it looking new for many years to come.
