Can You Tumble Dry Mink Blankets? (this is what happens)

Top quality mink blankets are made in Korea and are made from the synthetic man-made material acrylic and can be tumble dried using the no heat setting.

If your dryer doesn’t have a no heat setting then you should air dry your mink blanket.

There are also lower quality mink blankets that are made in China which should never be tumble dried if you want them to last.

You should always check the care label before attempting to tumble dry your mink blanket for specific instructions.

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What The Tumble Dryer Symbols Mean On Mink Blankets

There are several symbols associated with tumble drying instructions that can be found on UK wash care labels.

Not all of them will apply to mink blankets but we’ve included them all for your future guidance.

Square With White Circle = You can tumble dry, it’s quite likely that you’ll find this symbol on many mink blankets.
Square With White Circle, One Black Dot In Circle = You can tumble dry on low heat, this is unlikely to be found on your mink blanket.
Square With White Circle, With Two Black Dots In Circle = You can tumble dry on medium heat, this symbol won’t be found on mink blankets.
Square With White Circle, With Three Black Dots In Circle = You can tumble dry on high heat, this symbol will never be found on a genuine mink blanket.
Square With Black Circle = You can tumble dry with no heat, this is the most likely symbol that you’ll find on your mink blanket.
Square With White Circle And A Black X On Top = Do not tumble dry, there are some mink blankets that carry this symbol.

How To Dry A Mink Blanket Without A Tumble Dryer

If you don’t have a tumble dryer, or your tumble dryer doesn’t have a no heat setting, you’ll need to find an alternative way to dry your mink blanket.

Below we have listed the best and safest ways to dry your mink blanket.

Using one of these methods will ensure that your mink blanket lasts for many years, and remains as soft as it was when you first purchased it.

Drying Mink Blankets On A Washing Line

This is the best way to dry mink blankets as there is no chance of heat damage to the fibres. Unfortunately, drying a mink blanket on a washing line will take a considerable amount of time.

This is because of how much water the material absorbs during the washing process.

You can dry your mink blanket on a washing line, retractable clothesline or rotary clothesline.

It is OK to use pegs to secure your blanket to the washing line, as they will not damage the material.

Drying Your Mink Blanket Indoors On An Airer (Clothes Horse)

If you don’t have access to an outdoor washing line or the weather is too bad for outdoor drying, a clothes horse is a great indoor alternative.

Just drape your mink blanket over the airer and arrange it to allow maximum exposure to the air.

Be sure to keep the mink blanket away from any direct heat sources like radiators, open fires, central heating vents etc as too much heat could damage the fabric.

Ways To Speed Up Indoor Drying Times

Drying mink blankets indoors will take quite a while. Especially as you should never expose a mink blanket to high temperatures.

We have found 2 safe ways to lower the overall time needed to dry mink blankets indoors.

Using An Electric Fan To Speed Up Indoor Drying Times

To shorten the drying time indoors on your mink blankets, simply direct the airflow from an electric fan towards the drying mink blanket.

As long as you ensure there is a window open to maximise the flow of air, you will decrease drying times considerably.

Reduce Drying Times Indoors Using A Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air without generating any heat. This makes a dehumidifier a great appliance to use when drying a mink blanket indoors.

Place the dehumidifier in the same room as the drying mink blanket and remember to empty the water reservoir once it is full.

Why You Should Always Read The Wash Care Label On Mink Blankets

Wash care labels are there to help you to keep your mink blankets in as near new condition as possible.

If you don’t do as advised on the wash care label you can expect;

The Mink Blanket Could Stretch

If the acrylic fibres are exposed to high temperatures they are likely to stretch.

This will cause your mink blanket to become misshapen which means it will not fit your bed correctly.

The Mink Blanket To Wrinkle

If the fibres were to become stretched, they would form wrinkles in the mink blanket.

These wrinkles will almost certainly be permanent which could make the mink blanket look unsightly.

The Mink Blanket Will Not Last As Long

If you subject the mink blanket to high temperatures it will not last as long as it should.

Mink blankets are made from acrylic which has long fibres. Those long fibres will become damaged if exposed to high temperatures.

Once they become damaged they will never return to their original form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to put a mink blanket in a tumble dryer?

You should always check the wash care label but in most cases it is safe to tumble dry a mink blanket on a no heat setting.

Are mink blankets made of mink?

Mink blankets are not made from mink. They are made from the man-made synthetic material acrylic.

Is a mink blanket good for a heavy winter?

A mink blanket is good for a heavy winter. The mink blanket will keep you warm and cosy even on the coldest of days.

How can I dry a mink blanket without a tumble dryer?

The best way to dry a mink blanket without a tumble dryer is to hang it on a washing line and allow it to air dry. If the weather is too bad for outdoor drying, the mink blanket can be draped over a clothes horse (airer) indoors as long as it is kept away from any heat source.

Will a mink blanket shrink?

Mink blankets do not shrink but they can become wrinkled if they are exposed to high temperatures. These wrinkles can be permanent.