Blankets are so snuggly and comforting, but it can be such a nuisance when a blanket leaves fuzz everywhere. Shedding fuzz can be especially prominent when a blanket is new.
There are a few simple steps you can take to clean up the fuzz, but what works for regular woven cotton blankets may not work for—and can potentially damage—a minky blanket. Sew Sweet Minky Designs is happy to share our tried-and-true tips on how to stop a blanket from shedding, and the careful steps to take with your special minky blanket.
Why Is My Minky Blanket Shedding?
What makes minky blankets so soft are the particularly fine, long fibers of the minky fabric. Unfortunately, these extra-fine fibers can mean more fuzz when you first get your blanket, as they pull loose from the weave. This is normal, and simply requires a bit more TLC.
All of the Sew Sweet Minky Design blankets are cut and sewn by hand—and we take pride in our handiwork. On rare occasions, some loose fibers from the creation process can attach themselves to (or be sewn into) the blanket.
Incorrect laundering techniques can void the warranty, so please contact us first! We can discuss the problem and a possible replacement. If you are experiencing worrisome shedding, give us a call right away before doing anything else.
How Can I Fix the Shedding of My Minky Blanket?
To help get rid of those excess loose fibers, here’s how to fix a shedding blanket:
- Shake out your blanket gently. Then lightly brush it or use a lint brush on it. Sometimes the fluff coming off is in fact fibers from other sources, like fuzzy clothes or animal fur.
- Spread the blanket over a bed and gently vacuum it with a clean handheld accessory. Do not scrub with it or push too hard, as this can damage the fibers and thereby reduce its softness.
- Run the blanket through a gentle wash cycle in a washing machine with no agitator. Put it in alone to keep it from rubbing against other materials. Do not use detergent or fabric softener; consider this a rinse.
- Tumble dry on a no-heat cycle to catch fibers in the lint trap.
Improper handling of your minky blanket can result in a loss of qualifying for a replacement blanket, so make sure you contact Sew Sweet before taking any drastic de-fuzzing measures.
How Can I Prevent Shedding?
While some shedding will just naturally occur, particularly with a new blanket, there are some measures you can take to minimize the shedding of your minky.
Store Properly
There are a number of options for organizing and displaying your blankets that do not only keep them looking nice, but can be quite decorative as well:
If storing in an enclosed area like a closet or cupboard, ensure consistent airflow to keep blankets from becoming musty. Excess moisture can lead to fiber deterioration, thereby exacerbating the shedding problem.
Do not store too many blankets in a single area—especially all crammed together—as this can also lead to damaged fibers.
Launder Properly
As aforementioned, it is very important to use the following when laundering your minky blanket:
- Cold water
- Either very gentle laundry detergent or none at all
- No agitation post in the center of the washer
- No other articles in the wash with the blanket
Drying your minky blanket on a no-heat cycle can help to catch the loosened fibers in the lint trap. Air drying can help reduce any fiber damage as well, and then just shake out the blanket outdoors as it is drying to remove excess fuzz.
You can also try adding one cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle. This can help tighten the weave and better hold fibers in place.
Watch Those Paws
The soothing warmth of your pet on your lap is such a joy, but keep an eye on those claws and nails. When cats start kneading or dogs start nesting to create their perfect spot, this can loosen fibers and create more shed.
Sew Sweet Solutions
High-quality minky fabric like that used by Sew Sweet Minky Designs do not tend to shed as much as low-quality knock offs. We are extremely confident in the quality and softness of our handmade minky blankets, and stand behind our assurances that we provide only the best.
However, sometimes flaws occur during the cutting or sewing of a minky, which can exacerbate a shedding problem on a Sew Sweet Minky blanket. Fibers can become bent or sewn in an odd way that leads to continued shedding, unlike shedding a few loose fibers when your blanket is new.
It is rare, but if this is happening to you, contact us immediately! We will discuss the problem to determine whether a replacement blanket is the best solution.