How to Wash a Plush Throw Blanket and Keep It Soft
By Vera Bradley Outlet Store | Published: 2026-11-02
Category: Tips & Care
A practical wash-and-dry routine for plush throw blankets, plus simple fixes for pilling and matting so the fleece stays soft wash after wash.
Quick answer
Wash your plush throw on a cold, gentle cycle with mild detergent, then tumble dry on low with dryer balls until just dry. Skip fabric softener and high heat, which mat the fibers and make pilling worse.
Why heat and softener are the real culprits
Plush and fleece fibers are synthetic, so they respond badly to heat and coating agents. Hot water and a hot dryer can melt or fuse the tips of the fibers, which is what turns a soft throw into a stiff, matted one. Fabric softener and dryer sheets leave a waxy film that traps lint and reduces fluffiness over time.
That is why the routine below is built around cold water, low heat, and mechanical help from dryer balls rather than chemical softeners. It also means you should check the care label first: if it lists a different temperature or bans machine drying, follow the label over this general guide.
Pilling is normal, but you can slow it down
Small fiber balls on a plush throw are usually caused by friction during washing and drying, not by a defect. Washing the blanket alone or with other soft items reduces abrasion from zippers, hooks, and heavy denim. Turning the blanket inside out also puts the friction on the back side rather than the plush face.
If pills do appear, remove them with a fabric shaver or a fine-tooth comb using light strokes. Do not pull them off by hand, which can tug loose fibers and create a larger fuzzy patch.
Step-by-step plush throw care
- Check the care label and empty pockets: Read the label for any temperature or drying restrictions, then shake the blanket out and check for tissues, pins, or small items that could break down in the wash. If the label says dry clean only, stop here and follow that instead.
- Pretreat spots and turn inside out: Dab stains with a little mild detergent and cold water, then turn the blanket inside out. This protects the plush face from friction. Skip bleach and oxygen boosters unless the label explicitly allows them.
- Wash cold on a gentle cycle: Use a mild liquid detergent and select a cold, gentle or delicate cycle with a low spin speed. Wash the blanket alone or with other soft items. Common mistake: overloading the machine, which increases friction and leaves detergent trapped in the fibers.
- Skip fabric softener and dryer sheets: Leave them out entirely. They coat the fibers and reduce absorbency and fluffiness. If you want extra softness, add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle instead.
- Dry low with dryer balls: Tumble dry on low heat with two or three wool or rubber dryer balls. Check the blanket every 15 to 20 minutes and remove it as soon as it is dry. Overdrying is the fastest way to create static and matted fibers.
- Brush and fold for storage: Once dry, brush the plush face gently with a soft brush or your hand, then fold and store loosely in a dry place. Avoid vacuum-seal bags, which crush the pile. For long storage, add a cedar block or silica packet to discourage mustiness.
Product note
- Plush Throw Blanket: The Plush Throw Blanket is part of the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Collection and comes in patterned options. Patterned plush can show lint and pilling more readily, so wash it inside out and keep it away from Velcro or zippers.
Plush Throw Blanket
