Washing a throw without crushing the pile
A throw that lies flat and dull on the sofa after the third wash rarely has a material defect – it has usually just been treated incorrectly. The question of how to wash a throw therefore cannot be answered with a single rule: a dense sherpa pile reacts completely differently than a lightweight muslin summer throw, and a melange quality differently again than a doubleface fabric.
This guide shows what actually ruins the pile, which care is suitable for which quality – and how you can often still save a throw that has already been washed flat.
What really matters when washing a throw
The "pile" is the upright layer of fibers on the surface – what makes a throw cozy. It doesn't become flat because of the water, but because of four factors that almost always work together:
1. Temperature. The warmer, the more mobile the fibers become. With sherpa and teddy fleece, they permanently curl up at 40 °C and above and felt into a firm, slightly shiny surface. This change is irreversible.
2. Mechanics. A wet throw weighs several times its dry weight. In an overfilled drum, it constantly rubs against itself – it is precisely this friction that presses the pile down. High spin speeds amplify the effect.
3. Detergent. Fabric softener leaves a film around every fiber. On smooth bedding, this is hardly noticeable, but on an open pile, the fibers clump together into strands. Detergent with bleach additionally attacks the color brilliance.
4. Drying. This is where the mistake that ruins the laundry is made most often: a hot dryer cycle permanently sets the fibers. A cold dryer cycle, on the other hand, lifts the pile again.
Which quality can withstand what – the overview
| Quality | Behavior when washing | Recommended care | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sherpa | Dense, curly pile; permanently felts with heat and high spin speed | 30 °C delicate cycle, max. 600 rpm, fluff up in the dryer on cold | approx. €40–90 |
| Teddy fleece | Longer pile, reacts even more sensitively to friction than sherpa | 30 °C, fill the drum only halfway, wash alone | approx. €70 |
| Melange | Napped, fine surface; pills slightly in the first few washes | 30 °C, no fabric softener, check the lint filter after every cycle | approx. €70 |
| Doubleface | Two sides with different textures; tends to curl at the edges with heat | 30 °C, dry flat or over two drying racks | approx. €40 |
| Muslin | No pile, but a crinkle texture; gets softer with every wash | Unsensitive, 40 °C possible, let dry deliberately wrinkled | approx. €30 |
The prices mentioned correspond to our current direct prices in the Throws collection. Shipping is always free with us, without a minimum order value.
Which care is right for you?
You have a throw that lies on the sofa every day. Here, washability counts more than maximum pile. A robust sherpa quality in the mid-price segment withstands frequent cycles best: the biberna Sherpa Throw (item number 0229209, 150x200 cm). Wash it every four to six weeks at 30 °C – preferably regularly cool rather than rarely hot.
You want maximum coziness and deliberately care for it. Then the longer pile is worth it. The Hechter Paris Teddy Fleece Throw (item number 0238002) should go into the drum alone and should only be spun at 600 rpm. Another option with a particularly dense pile can be found in our selection of Sherpa qualities, such as the Hechter Paris Sherpa Throw (item number 0238003).
A dog or cat sleeps on the throw at your place. Then it is washed more often than any pile can withstand. The better choice is a quality without a sensitive surface: the biberna Muslin Summer Throw (item number 0480100) loses nothing when washed because it has no pile that could lie flat.
Your throw is already flat. First try to save it: run it once at 30 °C without detergent, spin briefly, then run it for 15 minutes in the dryer on the cold setting with two dryer balls. The mechanical movement without heat lifts most of the fibers again. However, matted sherpa can no longer be saved this way.
What is often overlooked
The capacity of the machine. A throw measuring 150x200 cm realistically needs a 7-kg drum, and even then only half-filled. If the throw only fits in with pressure, the machine does not wash – it felts. In case of doubt, the laundromat with a 10-kg machine is the better solution than three gentle cycles in a drum that is too small.
The first wash. Every new throw with a pile releases loose fibers. This is normal and stops after two to three washes. Therefore, wash new throws alone the first time, never together with dark clothing or bedding.
Zippers and hooks. The most common reason for pulled threads in the pile is not the throw itself, but a zipper in the same wash cycle. If your bedding has a closure, wash it separately.
Storage in summer. A throw that spends the winter compressed in a vacuum bag comes out with flat pressure marks. Store it loosely rolled instead of folded, in a breathable fabric bag instead of plastic.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what temperature should I wash a throw?
For all qualities with a pile – sherpa, teddy fleece, melange, doubleface – 30 °C in the delicate or wool program applies. Pile-free qualities like muslin can also withstand 40 °C. The deciding factor is less the temperature alone than the combination of temperature and spin speed.
Can a throw go in the dryer?
Yes, but cold. A dryer cycle on the cold setting is actually the best method to lift the pile again after washing. Warm or hot settings, on the other hand, permanently set the fibers and make the throw flat and slightly shiny.
Why does my new throw pill so much?
When the surface is napped, loose fiber ends are created, which come loose in the first few washes. After two to three cycles, this is over. During this time, clean the lint filter after every wash cycle – otherwise, the fibers will end up on the next load.
Can I use fabric softener?
Better not. Fabric softener leaves a film around the fibers and makes the pile clump together instead of keeping it soft. You can achieve the desired effect more reliably with a liquid detergent without bleach and a cold dryer cycle.
How often should a throw be washed?
With daily use on the sofa, every four to six weeks; with occasional use, twice per season. Washing more often than necessary costs the pile; washing less often than necessary allows skin oils and dust to penetrate the fiber, which makes the throw look dull faster.
What do I do if the throw does not fit in my machine?
Do not have it dry cleaned – solvents attack synthetic piles. The laundromat is the better choice. Alternatively, for light soiling, airing it out on a dry, frosty day helps surprisingly well against odors.
An overview of all qualities – from lightweight muslin to dense sherpa – can be found in our Throws collection.