When cold weather strikes, there’s nothing like wrapping yourself in the plush comfort of a warm, cozy Sherpa blanket. This luxurious fleece throw is soft, cozy, and insulating, making it a popular winter must-have.

But after many uses, you’ll need to wash your Sherpa blanket to keep it clean, fresh, and in top-notch condition. This is where most Sherpa blanket owners get stumped, as cleaning and caring for its delicate wool-like fabric requires special care to prevent damage, matting, and pilling.

If you’re wondering how to wash sherpa blankets, here’s the best way to wash sherpa blanketsand keep them soft, fluffy, cozy, and warm for years to come. Let’s dive in.

You can wash a Sherpa blanket. But you need to take special care and use gentle products to avoid ruining it.

A Sherpa blanket is made of Sherpa, which is a kind of fleece derived from polyester. Also known as faux-sheepskin or faux shearling, Sherpa fleece is designed to look and feel just like wool. It is warm, soft, fluffy, lightweight, and water-resistant, which makes it a favorite choice of material for blankets.

If you don’t clean and care for your Sherpa blanket regularly, it will soon start looking dirty, stained, and worse for wear. But how do you wash sherpa without ruining it? 

Below, we will share with you our top tips and tricks that will help you learn how to wash a Sherpa blanket easily and effortlessly.

Fortunately, it is possible to learn how to wash a sherpa blanket without ruining it. Here are some simple yet effective ways to remove stains from your favorite Sherpa blanket:

If you spilled oil or grease on your Sherpa throw, getting it off may seem difficult. But you can remove tough oil stains by applying a little dish soap and spot-cleaning them before you toss the blanket in the wash. Rub a small amount of dish soap into the oil stain, and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes before washing the blanket.

This simple trick will loosen up the stain, making it easier to wash the blanket.

Also, steer clear of fabric softener for your Sherpa blanket. Instead, add half a cup of white vinegar to the wash to keep your blanket soft and cozy.

Sprinkle a little baby powder or cornstarch on non-oily stains and leave it on them overnight. The powder will absorb the stains and keep your blanket looking and smelling fresh and clean. If you still see stains the next day, use a little dish soap and a damp piece of cloth, and rub off those pesky stains.

Can Sherpa go in the washing machine? Yes, you can toss your Sherpa blanket in the wash. But you must learn how to wash Sherpa blankets in the washing machine the right way.

Wash it separately to prevent its fragile fibers from shredding or pilling due to friction with other clothes made of rougher fabric in the load.

Or, if you need to wash your blanket with other clothes, wash it with other fleece blankets or delicate clothes of similar colors. This will prevent color bleeding and damage and keep your Sherpa blanket looking brand new.

If you’re not sure how to wash Sherpa fleece blankets with a detergent, avoid harsh detergents and stick to only gentle detergents or non-detergent soap. This will prevent their delicate fibers from unraveling and keep them intact during and after the wash.

How to wash my sherpa blanket in a washing machine and which setting to use? Always use a low-temperature setting or a cold-water cycle with a gentle wash for your blanket. Do not expose it to high heat or use hot water to prevent ruining it.

Now you know why your Sherpa blanket is matting up after every wash!

Does sherpa shrink in the dryer? Yes, Sherpa blankets shrink in the dryer as heat causes their polyester fibers to contract. It can also result in pilling or matting. But many people still toss these delicate fleece throws in the dryer on a low-heat, tumble-dry setting.

That said, if you’re curious about how to wash and dry sherpa blankets, it is always better to air-dry them on a clothesline or rack. This will help them stay soft and fluffy and retain their shape for years.

So, make sure that you keep your Sherpa blanket away from harsh sunlight and other sources of heat when you’re air-drying it. Also, as Helga says, don’t iron it to prevent damage to its delicate fibers.

How do you make a Sherpa blanket soft again? Use a soft bristle brush to brush your Sherpa blanket regularly. This eliminates buildup and keeps it soft and plush. 

Sherpa is prone to pilling due to buildup over time. This happens due to friction from coming into regular contact with rough fabrics, towels, or lint.

You can also dampen the blanket with cold water before you start brushing to remove the buildup more easily.

Can you vacuum Sherpa? Yes, you can also vacuum your Sherpa blanket with an attachment instead of brushing it to get rid of dust and buildup and keep it soft, smooth, and fluffy.

If you spot any pills on your Sherpa blanket, remove them by gently running a razor over them. This helps you catch pills, eliminate buildup, and maintain the softness and fluffiness of your blanket for a long time.

After you shave the blanket, wrap a piece of double-sided tape around your hand, and collect the fallen pills to prevent the blanket from sweeping them up again.

If your Sherpa blanket looks matted and pilled, don’t fret yet. You can bring it back to its former glory and make it fluffy again with a boar bristle brush or a pet slicker brush. If you don’t have any of these brushes, a plastic hairbrush works, too.

Take the brush and lay out the blanket on a flat surface. Now run the brush over the mats in various directions to remove them easily. Remove any remaining lint caught in the blanket with a lint roller.

Cleaning, brushing, and shaving your Sherpa blanket regularly will help you keep it soft, fluffy, and mat-free for years.

If you want to learn how to properly wash a Sherpa blanket by hand, simply wash it with cool water and mild detergent.

Can you dry clean Sherpa? If you’re not a big fan of elbow grease, you can always consider going for the dry-cleaning route to clean your Sherpa blanket.

If you want to know how to wash a Sherpa blanket and keep it soft, wash it with cool water, a mild detergent, and vinegar, and air-dry it. Also, brush or shave it now and then to remove pills, mats, and build-up.

How do I make my Sherpa fluffy again? Learning how to keep Sherpa fluffy is as easy as keeping it clean and mat-free through regular washing and brushing.

Can you wash Sherpa in a washing machine? If you want to learn how to wash polyester Sherpa blankets in a machine, wash them solo or with other fleece blankets of similar colors. Use a gentle detergent and a cold-water cycle to keep them soft and intact.

Sherpa is warm and insulating, as it has two sides—the furry lining and the smooth side—that offer superior insulation.

How do you wash a Sherpa blanket at regular intervals to keep it clean and fresh? Sherpa blankets are delicate, so don’t wash them more than once a month. The more you wash them, the faster they will mat, pill, and show other signs of wear.

We hope our Sherpa blanket how to wash guide helped you learn how to wash sherpa blankets. Caring for them regularly will help you retain their warmth, softness, and fluffiness for years.