Always follow the care label on your item first. This page covers general practice by fabric. Every product page also lists that item's own fiber, size and care, and says so plainly when the supplier does not state one.
Knit throws
Knit is structure held together by tension. Heat and agitation relax it, which is why a knit throw comes back from a hot wash looking longer and thinner than it went in.
- Wash cold on a gentle cycle. Hand wash chunky knits.
- Never wring. Press the water out, or roll the throw in a towel and press.
- Lay flat to dry. Hanging a wet knit stretches it permanently under its own weight.
- Fold for storage rather than hanging, for the same reason.
Chenille
Chenille is a pile fabric, so it has one rule most people break.
- No fabric softener, ever. It coats the fibers and mats the pile. This is what ruins most chenille throws, and it cannot be reversed.
- Wash cold on gentle, alone or with soft items. Zippers and buttons snag the loops.
- Tumble low or air dry flat. High heat is what causes shedding.
- No bleach. It breaks the yarn.
Faux fur and sherpa
Faux fur is polyester. Polyester melts before it burns, so heat is the thing to avoid.
- Wash cold on gentle, inside out where possible.
- Air dry. Tumble only on the lowest heat, and only if the label allows.
- Never iron and never dry clean. Solvents and heat both mat the pile permanently.
- Brush the pile back up with your hand or a soft brush once dry.
Cotton and cotton muslin
The most forgiving fabric here. Cotton gets softer with every wash rather than wearing out.
- Machine wash warm or cold. Tumble dry low.
- Expect a small amount of shrinkage on the first wash. This is normal for natural fiber.
- Multi-layer muslin softens noticeably after three or four washes. Do not judge it on day one.
Acrylic
- Wash cold, gentle. Acrylic holds dye well, so colors stay true.
- Air dry where you can. The dryer is where most pilling happens.
- Acrylic will pill with heavy use. That is the fiber, not a defect — see below for how to fix it.
Flannel
- Wash cold, tumble low. Heat flattens the napped surface that makes flannel feel warm.
- Wash before first use. Loose fiber from the napping process comes off in the first cycle.
Pillow covers
- Remove the insert first. Wash the cover only.
- Close the zipper and turn the cover inside out before washing. An open zipper chews the fabric.
- Wash cold. Iron on low only if the fabric allows, and never on velvet or faux fur.
- Our covers are sold without inserts. For a full look, buy an insert one size up — a 20×20 in insert in an 18×18 in cover.
Why blankets pill, and how to fix it
Pilling is friction, not poor quality. Short fibers work loose, roll into balls and catch on the surface. It happens to good blankets and cheap ones alike.
- Prevent: wash inside a duvet cover to cut friction against the drum.
- Prevent: skip the dryer. Tumbling causes more pilling than washing does.
- Fix: use a fabric shaver, not scissors. Shave with the nap in short strokes. Scissors cut the pile unevenly and leave a bald patch.
Which size actually fits
Throws are the most commonly mis-bought item in the category, because the sizes sound bigger than they are.
- 50×60 in — a sofa lap throw for one person. Too small to drape across any bed.
- 50×70 in — lies across the foot of a queen. Does not cover a sleeper.
- 60×80 in — covers a queen mattress edge to edge.
- 79×91 in — covers a king.
A queen mattress is 60×80 in and a king is 76×80 in. Anything narrower will hang short on both sides.
Storing through the off season
- Wash and dry completely before storing. Body oils left in fiber attract moths and yellow over time.
- Fold, do not hang. Store in cotton or a breathable bag, not sealed plastic — trapped moisture causes mildew.
- Keep out of direct sunlight. UV fades dye through a storage bag.
Not sure about an item?
Ask us before you wash it. Every product page lists what the supplier states about fiber, size, care and origin, and says so explicitly when something is not stated. If a detail you need is missing, contact us and we will ask the supplier.