How to Wash Sherpa Fabric

9 Dec

Sherpa is definitely one of the fabrics that captures your heart right away. It is warm, very soft like a cloud, and comforting like no other material. But this can also be the case for those who own Sherpa. One wrong wash cycle, and the beautiful fluff can easily turn hard, matted, or clumpy. If you have ever taken a sherpa blanket out of the dryer and asked yourself, “What happened to you?”, you are not the only one.

That is why knowing how to wash sherpa fabric can be a game-changer in keeping it nice and warm for a long time. This manual simplifies every aspect, incorporating practical instances that demonstrate the ease with which one can unwittingly harm sherpa and the equally simple ways of preventing it.

Why Sherpa Needs Special Care

Sherpa material looks like sheepskin and is often made out of polyester and acrylic. It features a soft, lofty surface that feels wonderful, but at the same time, being delicate is the downside of its appearance.

A couple of years back, a friend of mine did a wash of her newly purchased sherpa hoodie together with her normal towels on a hot wash. The moment she pulled it out, the hoodie had the appearance of being 10 years older in just 45 minutes. The fibres had compressed, the plushness was lost, and even brushing could not help it. It is a case in point confirming that a sherpa requires super delicate treatment: heat and rubbing are the greatest foes of it.

Before You Wash: Prepare Your Sherpa the Right Way

Before learning exactly how to wash sherpa fabric, the preparation stage matters more than most people realise.

1. Check the Care Label

This seems simple, but many people skip it. Different sherpa blankets or jackets may have slight variations in care instructions. Following the label avoids accidental damage.

2. Pre-Treat Light Stains Gently

A wet cloth is to be used for cleaning off the dirt on the surface. A tiny dot of mild detergent can be placed on the stain, if any. Be gentle when working on the area—sherpa fibres can easily get matted.

3. Protect Your Sherpa in a Mesh Bag

Take your sherpa piece and turn it inside out. After that, put it into a mesh laundry bag. This not only diminishes the rubbing but also stops the transfer of lint. Just imagine it like a seatbelt for your sherpa.

Machine Washing Sherpa (The Safe Way)

You can machine-wash sherpa safely—if you do it correctly:

Cold Water Only

Hot water can shrink or melt synthetic fibres. Cold water keeps the texture intact.

Use the Gentle or Delicate Cycle

Sherpa doesn’t like aggressive agitation. A gentle wash reduces pilling and matting.

Choose Mild Detergent

Use a small amount of fragrance-free, dye-free detergent.

Avoid fabric softeners completely—they coat the fibres and make the sherpa stiff.

Run an Extra Rinse Cycle

Leftover detergent can weigh down the fluff, so an extra rinse helps keep it light and soft.

Wash Alone or With Soft Items Only

Harder fabrics like denim can rub against the sherpa and damage its pile.

One customer once told me that after washing her sherpa throw with jeans, her throw ended up with small “flat islands” where the texture was completely gone. Washing sherpa alone—or with similar soft fabrics—prevents this from happening.

Hand Washing Sherpa (The Safest Option)

If your sherpa item is very delicate or very special, hand washing is the gentlest method.

  1. Fill a basin with cool water.
  2. Add a small amount of mild detergent.
  3. Move the sherpa slowly through the water—no twisting or wringing.
  4. Let it soak for 10–15 minutes if needed.
  5. Rinse until the water runs clear.

Hand washing takes more time, but it gives a person a long, healthy life.

Drying Sherpa: Where Most People Make Mistakes

The crucial point in the process of learning how to wash sherpa fabric is drying. Sherpa fibres can get damaged permanently, either by melting or flattening due to heat.

Air Drying Is Best

Lay the sherpa item flat on a clean towel or hang it in a well-ventilated area.

Sherpa dries surprisingly fast.

If Using a Dryer, Use Only Low Heat or No Heat

Short, low-heat cycles are acceptable, but remove the sherpa while it’s still slightly damp, then let it finish air drying.

A reader once shared how she accidentally put her sherpa blanket through a full high-heat cycle. The result? A blanket that went from “soft and snuggly” to “rough and crispy” in under an hour. High heat is simply a no-go.

How to Restore Sherpa After Washing

There are occasions when, despite being washed, the sherpa appears to be somewhat tired and will need a bit of care to regain its fluffiness and freshness. Once the fabric is dry, with your fingers, rub it with light pressure to loosen the fibres that had stuck together and then, using a soft-bristle brush, like one made from boar bristles or a gentle pet brush, lightly brush the pile in the same direction.

Tips to Keep Sherpa Soft for Years

To keep the sherpa’s softness for years, the easiest method is to wash it infrequently, always use cold water, don’t use fabric softeners and avoid friction or high heat that may flatten or ruin the fibres. Keep the sherpa in a dry, cool place, and once it is dry, very lightly brush it to preserve the natural fluff. A tad of care and the sherpa remains soft, warm and with the look of new for way longer than one expects.

The washing of sherpa fabric looks to be a tedious process at first glance, but actually, it is very simple: gentle washing, low temperature, mild detergent, and shag brushing in some cases. Treat the sherpa well, and you will get the comfort and warmth that will last for years as your reward.

Sherpa Fleece Blankets in Bulk

PeachFur Fleece provides the best quality sherpa fleece blankets in bulk made of non-pilling materials, which are soft and warm, and most importantly, comfortable. In case you need a wholesale deal on durable sherpa products, we are ready to assist you. Contact us anytime for the most available sherpa fabric fleece blankets in bulk with quick delivery and amazing value.

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