Quick answer

Wash baby blankets and loveys on a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent, then air-dry or tumble on low. Always check the care label first, and for loveys with attached pacifiers or teethers, remove those parts before washing. This routine protects softness and helps prevent shrinkage or fabric damage.

Check the care label and pre-treat stains

Before washing any baby blanket, find the care tag and follow its instructions. If the label is missing, treat the item as delicate: cold water, gentle cycle, and low heat. Pre-treat spit-up, milk, or food stains by gently dabbing a small amount of mild detergent or a drop of dish soap onto the stain and letting it sit for 10–15 minutes. Avoid rubbing aggressively, which can push the stain deeper into the fibers.

Choose the right detergent and settings

Use a mild, fragrance-free detergent formulated for baby items or sensitive skin. Avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets, which can coat fibers, reduce absorbency, and irritate a baby's skin. For washing machine cycles, select gentle or delicate with cold water and an extra rinse if available. If washing by hand, fill a basin with cool water, add a small amount of detergent, and gently squeeze the water through the fabric without wringing or twisting.

Wash loveys and blankets separately or with similar colors

To prevent pilling and color transfer, wash baby blankets and loveys separately from towels, jeans, or items with zippers and hooks. If you're washing multiple baby items together, make sure they are similar in color and fabric weight. Place loveys or small blankets in a mesh laundry bag to keep them from snagging or getting lost in the machine. For loveys with a pacifier attachment, remove the pacifier before washing; the catalog notes that pacifiers are not included with the lovey, but if you've attached one, detach it first.

Dry with care to preserve softness and shape

After washing, gently reshape the blanket or lovey while it's still damp. Air-drying flat or on a drying rack is the safest option for most fabrics, especially rayon blends and knits. If you use a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting and remove the item while it's still slightly damp to avoid overdrying. High heat can shrink fibers, cause pilling, and break down the fabric's softness over time. Never hang a heavy wet blanket by one corner, as this can stretch it out of shape.

Step-by-step washing routine

  1. 1. Check the care label: Read the tag for specific washing instructions. If there's no label, default to cold water and gentle cycle. Checkpoint: If the label says dry clean only, follow that or hand wash with extreme care.
  2. 2. Pre-treat stains: Dab a small amount of mild detergent onto stains and let sit for 10–15 minutes before washing. Common mistake: Rubbing stains vigorously can spread them and damage fibers.
  3. 3. Use mild detergent and cold water: Choose a fragrance-free, gentle detergent. Avoid fabric softeners and bleach. Checkpoint: If the blanket has a strong smell after washing, run an extra rinse cycle.
  4. 4. Wash on gentle cycle or by hand: Select the delicate cycle with cold water. For hand washing, gently squeeze water through the fabric without wringing. Common mistake: Overloading the machine can cause excessive friction and pilling.
  5. 5. Dry flat or on low heat: Air-dry flat when possible. If using a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting and remove while slightly damp. Checkpoint: High heat can shrink rayon blends and reduce softness.
  6. 6. Store clean and dry: Once completely dry, fold and store in a dry place. Avoid storing in damp areas to prevent mildew. Next step: Wash loveys more frequently if your baby chews on them or they get soiled.

Product care notes

  • DISNEY WINNIE THE POOH BABY BEE LOVEY: The Disney Winnie the Pooh Baby Bee Lovey is a mini security blanket designed to comfort babies and can attach to a pacifier, teether, or other toy; pacifier not included. Because it's a small lovey, it's easy to wash in a mesh bag on a gentle cycle. Always detach any pacifier or teether before washing to avoid damage to the attachment or the lovey.
  • STAR WARS™ THE CHILD BLANKET: The STAR WARS The Child Blanket is made from a premium rayon-blend fabric with a dual-layer design that provides the perfect weight for any climate. Rayon blends can be sensitive to heat, so use cold water and low dryer heat or air-dry to maintain the dual-layer softness and prevent shrinking.
  • QUINN LOVEY: The Quinn Lovey is a mini security blanket designed to comfort babies and can attach to a pacifier, teether, or other toy; pacifier not included. Its small size means it can get lost in a regular load, so wash it in a mesh laundry bag and remove any attached pacifier or teether before cleaning.