How to Wash a Crochet Blanket & Other Crocheted Items
One of the best things about crochet is making beautiful, practical items you can use daily. Blankets for cozy nights, bags for everyday errands, hair accessories, or even home décor pieces like table runners. But because these pieces are handmade, it’s important to wash and care for them correctly so they last for years.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to wash a crochet blanket, plus give you care instructions for other crocheted items and the different yarns you might encounter. It takes time to make crochet projects, make sure they last by knowing the proper care instructions.
How to Wash a Crochet Blanket
Some folks are scared to wash crochet blankets and other crocheted items. Let’s face it, you spend so much time making the item you don’t want to mess it up when you need to wash it. You can even wash delicate blankets, they just need special care which is easy to do.
Since blankets see the most use, let’s start here. How you wash your crochet blanket depends on the type of yarn it’s made from. Don’t let washing crochet items intimidate you, use the best method below for your yarn type to extend the life of your crochet blanket.
Acrylic Yarn Crochet Blankets
Acrylic yarn is one of the most common choices for blankets because it’s soft, durable, and affordable. Luckily, it’s also one of the easiest fibers to care for.
- Machine Washable: Most acrylic yarn blankets can go right into the washing machine. Use the gentle or delicate cycle with cold or warm water.
- Mild Detergent: Use your regular laundry detergent. For scratchy yarns, add a fabric softener too. Do not use bleach.
- Drying: You can tumble dry acrylic yarn blankets on medium to low heat setting. I’ve even washed and dried with my permanent press clothes after it’s been washed once by itself.
Quick Tip: If your blanket feels stiff after air drying, pop it in the dryer for 5–10 minutes on low heat.
If you learn by seeing, here are two videos from other crocheters on how to wash a crochet blanket and other items in the washing machine. Golden Fleece Crochet and Secret Yarnery.
As you will see, everyone has their own little twist on how to wash a crochet blanket and other crocheted items. When in doubt, hand wash and lay flat to dry. When you have washed and dried a bunch of times, go washer and dryer in the machines because it’s easier.
Wool, Cotton, or Specialty Yarn Blankets
If your blanket is made from natural fibers like wool or cotton, or if it has a special fiber blend, the care instructions will be different.
- Wool Yarn: Always hand wash wool blankets in cold water with a mild wool wash or baby shampoo. Never twist or wring the fabric. Gently press out water. Lay on a flat surface to dry.
- Cotton: Cotton yarn is durable and can often be machine washed on a gentle cycle, but it’s best to avoid the dryer since cotton can shrink. Instead, reshape the blanket and lay it flat.
- Luxury Blends (alpaca, silk, mohair): These need extra care. Always hand wash in cold water and air dry flat. Or consider taking item to the dry cleaners.
How to Wash Other Crocheted Items
Crochet isn’t just for blankets. You might have handmade handbags, clothing, table runners, or even small accessories like hair ties. These pieces are often more delicate, so here’s how to care for them:
Crochet Handbags
For my Granny Handbag Crochet Pattern, I recommend this method:
- Fill a sink or basin with lukewarm water and a few drops of mild detergent.
- Soak the bag for 10–15 minutes.
- Drain the sink and gently press the water out of the bag (never twist or wring).
- Roll the bag in a clean bath towel and press again to remove excess water.
- Reshape and air dry flat.
This method works beautifully for most crocheted accessories.
Crochet Clothing
- Sweaters or Tops: Hand wash in cold water with gentle detergent. Press out excess water using a towel roll method, then lay flat to dry. Hanging can stretch out the stitches.
- Scarves or Shawls: Same process as sweaters—hand wash, press, and air dry.
Crochet Hair Accessories (like bands or scrunchies)
Most can handle a gentle machine wash inside a mesh laundry bag, but if the yarn is delicate, stick with hand washing. Always air dry.
Crochet Table Runners or Doilies
- Hand wash in lukewarm water with a mild detergent.
- Lay flat to dry on a towel. If needed, lightly steam or block into shape.
Crochet Care Chart
Here’s a quick reference chart you can save or pin for later. Get the printable version down below for free!
| Item / Yarn Type | How to Wash | How to Dry |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic Blanket | Machine wash on gentle, cold or warm water, regular detergent | Tumble dry low or air dry flat |
| Wool Blanket | Hand wash cold, mild wool wash or baby shampoo | Lay flat to dry |
| Cotton Blanket | Machine wash gentle, mild detergent | Lay flat to dry (avoid dryer) |
| Luxury Yarns (Alpaca, Silk, Mohair) | Hand wash cold, very gentle detergent | Air dry flat |
| Crochet Handbag | Soak in lukewarm water, press out (don’t wring) | Roll in towel, press, reshape, air dry |
| Clothing (Sweaters, Tops) | Hand wash cold, mild detergent | Lay flat to dry (don’t hang) |
| Scarves & Shawls | Hand wash cold, mild detergent | Lay flat to dry |
| Hair Accessories | Machine wash in mesh bag or hand wash | Air dry |
| Table Runners / Doilies | Hand wash lukewarm, mild detergent | Lay flat, block into shape if needed |
Free Printable
Make sure you get the free download so you have the handy crochet care guide. It recaps how to wash every yarn type for all your crochet projects. Put this in your yarn bag or laundry room. You can also print it out and include it when gifting a crochet blanket or other crocheted item.
If it’s hard to find a flat space to air dry your items on, consider getting a sweater drying rack like the one pictured below. Obviously it can be used for any crocheted item that is sweater size and below but it’s a lifesaver.
General Crochet Care Tips
- Avoid Hot Water: Heat can shrink or distort yarn.
- Color Catcher Sheets: Use these if you have brightly colored yarn in case it bleeds in the wash.
- Laundry Detergents: Use your normal detergent or gentle laundry detergent if you have allergies.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: Try to avoid direct sunlight when air drying to your blanket doesn’t fade.
- Store Carefully: Keep your crochet pieces clean, folded, and stored in a cool, dry place. Avoid hanging crochet garments for long-term storage.
- Blocking for Shape: If your crochet blanket or table runner loses shape after washing, block it by pinning it into the correct dimensions and letting it air dry.
Looking for your next quilt project? Then head on over to my free “Pattern Index”. It’s a page dedicated to all of my free patterns separated by categories for crochet, sewing and quilting.
If you prefer an ad-free printable version, head over to my shop and browse the Digital Patterns. These are instant digital downloads you print yourself.
Final Thoughts
Just follow the simple steps to care for your crochet blanket, you can always refer to the yarn label for washing instructions too. I like the convenience of machine washing my crocheted blanket, and throwing them in the dryer with a dryer sheet to make them nice and soft. You can still have that softness with the air drying process, just throw air dried blanket in low heat dryer for a few minutes with dryer sheet. 5 to 10 minutes should do the trick.
Sometimes the washing process will revive a crocheted item. My crochet rectangle rug is always getting snagged but looks brand new after I’ve machined washed and tumble dry.
Red Heart yarn almost always gets soft and beautiful after it’s machine washed in some soapy water and tumbled dry on medium to low heat. It’s magic and all the scratchiness of the yarn goes away and becomes soft.
I always wash crochet baby blanket gifts before I wrap them up and gift them. It’s always a good idea to include a care label so the new owner knows the best way to care for their new item.
Save this Pin for Later!
Final Thoughts
Learning how to wash a crochet blanket and other crocheted items ensures your handmade projects stay beautiful and usable for years. Acrylic yarn blankets are low maintenance and machine friendly, while wool, cotton, and luxury yarns need a gentler touch. For accessories like handbags, hair bands, or table runners, the sink soak method in cool water works best.
Handmade crochet pieces are more than just yarn and stitches. They are time, love, and creativity. Taking the extra care to wash them properly is worth it.
Got questions or tips to share? Drop them in the comments below!
Pattern Links to Pictured Items
Here is a list of the items shown in this post in case you want to make any. Digital patterns are also available for each in my shop.
Granny Ripple Blanket – Link to tutorial and link to digital pattern.
Granny Rectangle Blanket – Link to tutorial and link to digital pattern.
Ripple Wave Blanket – Link to tutorial and link to digital pattern.
Modern Stripes Blanket – Link to tutorial and link to digital pattern.
Granny Handbag – Link to tutorial and link to digital pattern.
Granny Weekender Bag (coming soon)
ABOUT SEW NIKKI
If this is your first time stopping by, welcome! I’m Nikki, a maker obsessed with quilting, crochet, and all things fabric. Here you will find easy to follow patterns, helpful tutorials, and plenty of inspiration for your next handmade project. Grab your fabric (or yarn), and let’s create something beautiful together!
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Want to learn how to crochet? Check out this post, How to Learn How to Crochet – Guide for Beginners.
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