How to Wash a Faux Fur Throw | Keep It Soft And Fluffy

For the full breakdown, see our best Faux Fur Throw guide.

Washing a faux fur throw wrong can turn a plush, cozy blanket into a stiff, matted mess. The good news is that with the right technique, you can keep it soft and fluffy for years. The single most important step is checking the care label first, but the safest all-around method is hand washing, which gives you full control over how the synthetic fibers are treated.

Hand washing is the gentlest route and the one most sources recommend for keeping faux fur throws looking new. You can do this in a bathtub or a large sink, and it takes about 30 minutes total.

1. Shake the throw outside to remove loose dust and debris before it gets wet.
2. Fill your tub or sink with cool or lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild detergent.
3. Submerge the throw and gently swish it through the water.
4. Drain the soapy water and refill with clean cool water. Keep rinsing until the water runs completely clear — leftover soap residue will stiffen the fibers.
5. Press the water out with your hands or against the side of the tub. Never wring the throw; the wet pile is heavy and wringing will distort and mat it.
6. Lay it flat on a clean towel, roll the towel up to absorb excess moisture, then hang it or lay it flat to dry away from heat and direct sunlight.
7. Once it’s completely dry, brush the pile with a soft-bristle brush or wide-tooth comb to restore the fluff. Brushing while wet will damage the fibers.

If a small spill happens, spot-clean just that area instead of washing the whole throw. That keeps the rest of the blanket’s fibers undisturbed and saves you the full drying time.

Can You Machine Wash A Faux Fur Throw?

Yes, but only if the care label explicitly allows it, and even then you need the right settings.

• Place the throw inside a mesh laundry bag or a pillowcase to protect the fibers from friction.
• Wash it alone — other items in the drum increase rubbing, which causes shedding and matting.
• Use only a mild detergent. Never use bleach, enzyme cleaners, optical brighteners, or fabric softener, which can leave residue or mat the fibers.
• Remove the throw promptly when the cycle ends. Sitting in the washer while damp lets the pile compress.

Because faux fur becomes much heavier when wet, make sure your machine can handle the load safely before you start the cycle. If your washer is small or the throw is large, hand washing is the safer route.

Drying Rules: Why Heat Is The Enemy

Never use high heat on faux fur, and several sources say to skip the dryer entirely. Synthetic fibers can melt, shrink, distort, or become permanently matted under heat, so air-drying is the default choice.

The safer path is laying the throw flat on a towel or hanging it to dry in a well-ventilated space away from direct sun, which can also damage synthetic fibers. Give it plenty of time to dry completely — a thick throw can take a full day — then brush it to bring back the loft. Be patient with the drying step; it’s the one that determines whether you end up with a fluffy throw or a stiff pancake.

Common Mistakes That Ruin Faux Fur

Most faux fur damage comes from one of these missteps, all of which are easy to avoid when you know what to look for:

• Wringing or scrubbing the pile. Press water out gently; aggressive handling mats the fibers permanently.
• Using hot water. Stick to cool or lukewarm, around 30°C maximum if your label uses metric.
• Brushing while wet. Always wait until the throw is dry or nearly dry before you brush.
• Tumble drying on high heat. Air-dry by default; only use a dryer setting if the label permits it.
• Overloading the washer. Friction from other items causes shedding and distortion.

If you follow the hand-wash routine and these rules, your faux fur throw will keep its softness through many winters.