chenille throw - chance it in the washer?

[ballbaby]

My mums got 2 chenille throws from debenhams that are dry clean only. There's a lot of fluff and she worries that when she looks after my 14mo he is swallowing/inhaling the fluff (she can be a bit of a worrier!). Don't think dry cleaning would stop it being fluffy but do you think washing would work and they'd still be Ok?

have never washed chenille so am no expert and take this advice with caution!! I would say, if the throw isn't too big, put it in a pillowcase, or if it is big, put it in a duvet cover and knot the ends to keep it closed then wash on a low temp (30...woolen cycle, etc) it may loosen the fluff without the machine mashing up the fibres altogether!!i never feel dry cleaning actually cleans anything really!!

I have washed a chenile jumper about six times now. It's only a cheap Hennes one too. I used the handwash cycle on the machine and dry it flat over the bath and it seems fine.

Having said that, I treated a VERY expensive Benneton one exactly the same way and it went totally bald in patches after 2 washes.

Luck of the draw with your throws I guess.

Thanks for this advice! Will give it a go on a gentle wash.