How to wash a HUGE throw

[WhatsGoingOnEh]

I have 3 lovely soft throws that I need to wash/get washed. They're about king size, and are made of a heavy velour-type material.

They're too big to go in the washing machine. So I could wash them in the bath by hand, but then they'd be so heavy and drippy...

I don't know where the nearest laundrette is, I haven't seen one for years. Dry cleaning sounds a bit spendy.

Any ideas?

I'd try to track down a laundrette to be honest. If you can't find one easily, ask a dry cleaning place; they may also have large washers or do send away for blanket washing.

Are they completely too big for your washing machine, or, if you washed them in the bath, could you get them in the machine for a spin cycle?

Launderette definitely, I always go to wash quilts and things like this 😊

Wash them (one at a time obviously!) in the bath. After you have washed and rinsed a throw pull the plug out and leave it in the bath for at least 10 minutes making sure it is clear of the plughole. You will be surprised how much water will run out of it. After ten minutes re-arrange it and leave for another ten minutes to ensure all possible water will drain. You may then be able to spin it - you will need a large plastic box to carry it downstairs. This is how I deal with our huge velour patio door curtains. I can do them on my own but it's easier, obviously, if DH helps!

Thank you! I could try washing one of them in the bath and see how I get on. I should've donee this over the summer when I I could've dried them outside in about 5 minutes. 🙄

Does Antoine know roughly how much it costs to wash a blanket/throw in a laundrette? If it's £5 I'll search locally, but if it's like £30, I'll persevere at home.

I'd love to hear Antoine's views on that, and anyone else. 🙈😆

There is a petrol station near me that has washing machines and tumble dryers on the forecourt!

I wash things in the bath and TBH it's not ideal.
It is difficult and the damp items are very heavy.If you do it now, do it when there are two or three dry days so that they can go back out in the morning.
On the plus side, the velour might not be terribly absorbent so they might dry quickly, and it's cheap.

I've just found a cute laundrette nearby that offers FREE collection and delivery. 😯 That's great for me as I have no car at the moment.

I need to weigh the throes as it's priced by weight. But I think I'll leave this to the experts.

Hi Whats! The best way is definitely the laundrette. They would be too heavy, wet and such a faff to do in the bath, get them through the house to outside and then get dry from dripping wet, especially now the heat of summer has gone.

The cheapest way would be to DIY at the laundrette. Their small machines are similar to home and too small for large, heavy throws - it's the spinning that causes the problem and can put the drum out of balance, or so I was told. You would either need a medium or large machine, costing around £6-8 if you take your own powder and softener, more if you use theirs'. They're the machines you can wash large duvets in and take about 40 minutes.

Even with free collection and delivery, getting the staff to wash them for you by weight will cost more, but as you say you have to factor in the convenience as you don't have a car at the moment. Staff will know how many you can fit in one machine without problems. They might all go in a really big machine but cramming them in means they won't get clean or rinse properly, and will come out more creased.

There's also the matter of drying them. Do they need to be line dried, or can they go on cool in the large laundrette tumble dryers? This would probably cost a couple of pounds more per throw, depending upon how thick they are. Again, staff will usually know best.

You're right, there are less laundrettes around these days. A shame really, as they're such useful and sociable places.

Good luck!

I only just saw your lovely post, @EatingTheElephantInChunks! And now I feel irrationally bad because I ended up stuffing the throw into my washing machine (with a lot of panic about breaking the machine) and it washed perfectly! So I did the second one in there, and it's even better.

I spent most of the wash expecting to hear the machine die, but THANKFULLY it survived.

The throws look gorgeous and are all clean and soft again.

Next time, I'll laundrette them though.

Thanks!

I still have one more to do. But it's on the teenager's bed and he's really not bothered. It probably needs burning rather than washing.

Oh that's good news Whats. As you know from my thread, I don't always follow advice either, sometimes quite rightly, sometimes quite wrongly!

The other option for the future is a local laundry, rather than a laundrette. If you're not going to DIY at a laundrette, sometimes a laundry is cheaper than a service wash at a laundrette. Perhaps this is because a laundry isn't in an expensive shop front location or providing facilities for walk in customers. Again, a laundry will collect and deliver.

It sounds like you've done a good job there. I'm just imagining your teen, wrinkling his nose at this strange, alien fresh smell if you do his too. Go on, I dare you. Live dangerously.

Dont know if its an option I know you have nearly sorted out now but this might help others

there are outdoor laundrettes if you have a car, have a google for one locally, they have massive machines and dryers too, the machines run for approx 30 mins by which time the lock on it will loosen,

On the one local to me, you can also input your mobile number and it will send you a text with 5 mins to go, they are located near shops and cafe so you have somewhere to wait.

1. Have coins set aside. All of the Revolution machines currently only accept coin payments, so make sure you have change with you. It’s £4 for 8kg wash, £8 for 18kg wash and only £1 per 10 minutes for a dry.

1. Sort your washing at home. Sorting your washing and doing all stain pre-treatments at home will save you time and also means that you will have less to carry with you.

As the Revolution has a built-in hypoallergenic washing liquid pump that dispenses the right amount of detergent into the machine at the right time, all you need to take with you is your washing.

1. Check inside the washer and dryer before use. Although our machines are checked and maintained frequently by our team of engineers, it’s always a good idea to check the inside of the machine before starting your wash, just in case the person who used the machine before you forgot something. You wouldn’t want a red sock turning all your whites to pinks!

1. Bring a large waterproof bag. The weather here can change pretty quickly, and although there is a shelter above the launderette and all the locations are easily accessible by car, bringing a waterproof bag to put your washing in will ensure that your washing stays clean and fresh until you get home.

1. Make the most of your time. Our Revolution machines are all conveniently located near shops, cafes and parking facilities.

A wash cycle takes 30 minutes, giving you enough time to do some shopping or enjoy a coffee. Alternatively, you could sit in your car reading a book or newspaper. The door of the washing machine locks whilst it is in use, so you don’t have to worry about someone accessing the machine whilst your washing is in it.

1. Using the dryer. The dryer costs £2 per 15 minutes, but if you know how long you want to dry your washing for, you can put multiple coins in before the machine starts. The door of the dryer does not lock, so you are able to open the machine and check on your washing at any time.

I also have 3 very similar sounding throws to yours, velour type about kingsize