Non-washable picnic blankets

[ItsTricky]

Why do they make them and who would buy one?

My friend has one and it's minging. It has a silver backing with what feels like a foam layer in between that and the fleecy top. If it went in the washer it would probably disintegrate and there's only so much muck that can be sponged out. She has small children who make a mess - yoghurts, drippy drinks, spat out goo etc. We had first picnic of the year last week and I couldn't believe she still had the minging blanket from last year. She said it needed a wash and what a pain it was that it wasn't washable. I said just put it in the washer and pray it survives. She looked doubtful.

Mine is just fleece with waterproof underneath. It gets washed regularly. If it's been used in a park frequented by dogs it gets washed per use. I got it in lidl years ago for about a fiver and it must have been washed 30+ times.

Friend is not hard up by the way, and her home is spotless. I just don't get why she can't get a new blanket. An old bed sheet would be better!

Am I being too precious about a picnic blanket?

[MrsHathaway]

Nope, they're disgusting. If a waterproof layer is required, take a separate tarp or groundsheet.

[mountainofdreams]

YANBU that's disgusting. I couldn't enjoy a picnic on a dirty blanket. It's one of those products where it is obvious you should buy a washable one as it is bound to come in to contact with all sorts!

[Babymamamama]

Yuck. I use an old cotton bed spread and it goes in a hot whites wash every time it's used.

[LapsedTwentysomething]

Op, bit of a sidetrack, but do you just put yours in the machine? Mine says hand wash do I bunged it in the bath. Might just go for it.

[ItsTricky]

Yes it goes in the machine. I machine wash all sorts of stuff that says hand wash only. Soft toys get regular washes. Dd's fake leather jacket gets washed and is fine. Maybe try it on delicates first or on low heat low spin.

[Hygellig]

We had one that disintegrated after being washed many times in the washing machine. DH bought another from Tesco only to find it was handwash only. We took it back, then bought another online - also handwash only! I think we might chance it in the washing machine, as a picnic blanket from last year with all the stains from two messy children on would not be pleasant.

[ItsTricky]

I'd chance it if it's too dirty to be used anyway, fingers crossed it survives!

Aldi and Lidl are great for picnic gear. I've also got a traditional tartan picnic rug which says handwash only, it's over 20 years old - I got it free with AA membership - and still looks brand new despite being machine washed many times.

[Snozberry]

Our machine has a handwash setting which is just 20 degree and slow spin, so if you can manually set your machine to cool water and low spin then handwash stuff is fine in there. We just use an old throw, if the ground was wet I wouldn't be having a picnic on it anyway.

[formerbabe]

I have a picnic blanket just like you described op. I put it in my washing machine all the time...on the lowest temperature and its fine.

[MummySparkle]

Mine is like that, I machibe washed it (dog-related accident) and it was fine. It has since been thrown out as DS got trifle all over it at a picnic last summer. I went into labor a few hours after and DD was born that evening. Needless to say when I remembered about the blanket it had been in my car boot for a week and was mouldy and beyond saving! Still need to get another one.

itstricky my mum still has her original AA tartan blanket. I wonder if you can buy ones like it. I remember sitting in the back of the car wrapped up in it on lots of occasions after getting too wet and muddy to be allowed in my clothes on the way home!

[PuntasticUsername]

I wonder if you could steam clean them? Using the handheld bit for fabrics and curtains and that. Would help sanitise them, surely, even if some of the grubby bits remained.

[GobblersKnob]

I've had mine for years and never wash it, it's for arses, you don't eat off it, it's not a plate.

[The5DayChicken]

I'm kind of with Gobblers here. You're not eating off it so surely spot cleaning spills should be fine? I don't wash the sofa cushions every time I use them. Or the door mat. Because I don't eat off them.

[ItsTricky]

It's what's on the grass as well as the food. Could be fresh dog piss that you've just laid your blanket on.

I am a bit of a mad washer though, I'll concede. If it's not nailed down it gets a regular wash.

[The5DayChicken]

In theory though, a blanket of this type is used specifically to be put on the floor. And there really aren't many bits of floor outside that haven't had dog wee on them. And this blanket has an obvious 'way up'. You'd be washing a blanket after every use despite the fact it's being put back down onto a floor that probably has recently been peed on.

Save yourself a job. Get it its own bag. Wash it a few times a season if you're using it regularly (and it's washable) and spot clean at the end of your picnic. And use paper or plastic plates rather that eating directly from the blanket.

[The5DayChicken]

FWIW, a normal blanket, I'd wash each time. But this is a non washable blanket that has a definite way up and that sounds as if it would be destroyed by a washing machine.

[ItsTricky]

We don't use any plates. dd usually gets the lunch box lid and dh and I eat out of the box. My picnics are very boring. Friends of ours (other friends) often take wine and proper glasses! If I manage to make a flask of coffee it's a good day

[Notso]

Every one we have had has disintegrated after a couple of washes from expensive M&S to cheap Primark.

Now I use a couple of metres of PVC that gets hosed down in the garden.