can you put wool blankets in the washing machine?

[princessllama]

i have just been given some nice wool thin old fashioned blankets. they are covered in builders plaster dust. can i put them in the machine or will this be a disaster and result in more dollies clothes?

If I really didn't want to wash by hand, I would try washing them at 30 degrees on a low spin speed. It's the spin that knackers them more than the temp, if I remember rightly.

If you've got a wool cycle or low temp, low spin speed should be no worse than handwashing (I actually find it better). And whatever you do, DONT use biological detergent and DONT tumble dry!

Ooh! I didn't know that about bio deterg & wool (confirmed here). Ta.

If you don*t have special wool detergent you can use Shampoo instead (about a table spoon for a load).

Does your washing maschine have a handwash cycle or a woolmark cycle? If yes no probs about washing them in the mashine at 30 degrees.

thank you ladies. i do have a wool cycle so i'll get cracking tomorrow