Washers for blankets

[equusus]

I already searched this topic, but was unable to find info on exactly what the minimum size would be for a washer to do blankets. I am talking heavy Rambos, one at a time.
Would 3.7 cu ft be big enough?
What sizes do you guys have?
I know bigger is better, but I just want to know what will work and what won't.

[Catmando]

The size of the drum is important since the blanket needs to be able to tumble. The home front loaders are water efficient so they do not use enough water to actually "wash" the blanket. It will be "sprayed" with about 3-5 gallons of water and then tossed around the machine. In order to get a blanket clean, it needs to be swooshed THROUGH the water. The rinse cycles are no better, leaving soap/cleaner and hidden dirt behind in the blanket. A commercial triple loader is just barely big enough to do one mid or heavyweight Rambo at a time properly. I can always tell when a blanket comes in for repair that has been "home" washed. The blanket is still full of sand and grit in the material. This ruins the sewing machine quickly along with shortening the life of the blanket. I have "fooled" my home front loader by adding water via a garden hose through the soap dispenser. It will only take on so much water before it flashes "F9" and starts dumping the excess water. I now do all my home laundry adding extra water after using almost 12 rinses to remove old, built up soap out of my clothes. I would NEVER buy another front loader for home. After my excess soap deposit story, some of my friends, who also own the home front loaders, tried adding extra water. They could NOT believe all the built up soap in their clothing.

[lindasp62]

Except for the lighweight rain sheets, I take my heavyweights to the laudromat and use one blanket per triple-load or mega-load washer. This works well even with the heavy size 84 blanket.

[Evalee Hunter]

The reason I can't answer you is I don't remember the cubic size of the drums in the two washers I use. The smaller is the Sears Kenmore (by Frigidaire, I think) front loader. The larger (not by much) is the Maytag Neptune.

What I do is wash the blanket. Reposition (pull out, put back in). Run a full length cycle with no additivies (no detergent). Reposition. Rewash with detergent. Run at least one more full cycle until the detergent is out - judged by the appearance of the water running over the glass door during agitation & spin (on the Sears) or by looking for a loose sud or 2 in the Maytag. Actually, if you use enough full cycles of just rinsing I think you can get blankets reasonably clean in a home washer.

[DiablosHalo]

I can not find anything bigger than a 3.7 myself and I have been searching hi/low. One person said they have an 18 or 20 lb capacity- but didn't know the cubic feet? UGH... I'm shamelessly following this thread in hopes of answers! :)

[MistyBlue]

I have a kenmore heavy duty x-large front loader. I wash my blankets in it and they come out sparkly clean. And not soapy. I was worried about the rinse because my late mare was *very* sensitive skinned but never had an issue with it.
I never put a filthy blanket in there though. Before I wash a turnout I spread it out flat and brush it well with a medium brush to remove hair and anything that might be caked on. If it's a filthy blanket I then hit it with the pressure hose. Then it goes in the washer. One cycle heavy duty wash with detergent on warm/cold, extra rinse cold water/extra spin. Hang in furnace room/workshop in basement where it's always hot and dry and let it dry. It dries in about 6 hours in there usually.
In winter I wash my turnouts once a week...keeps them in excellent shape and I've had one for almost 7 years, one for 6 years and one is brand new. (all the same, schneiders stormshield britons) And they're all still 100% waterproof. The oldest one is a tad more faded, that's it.
I've seen folks take theirs through the car wash, in the self-wash bay. That seems to work pretty well too. :yes: Those hoses have some serious pressure! (but then I've also seen people take cattle through those on the way to shows/fairs, LOL) It'd be nice if the "wax" finish option rewaterproofed. :winkgrin: :lol: (it doesn't, don't try it)

[DiablosHalo]

(but then I've also seen people take cattle through those on the way to shows/fairs, LOL) It'd be nice if the "wax" finish option rewaterproofed. :winkgrin: :lol: (it doesn't, don't try it)

OMG... Cattle through the car wash!! Even in the self wash lane- that is TOO funny! There is a guy down the road that has National Champion (insert breed here) cattle and came over to check out my EquiCiser bc he wanted to get one to get them in shape!!!!! :lol:

[Evalee Hunter]

Quite a few people in this area use pressure washers to wash blankets, the Amish in particular. Hang blankets on fence, fire up pressure washer, voom, voom, clean blankets. I would think it would really strip the waterproofing off but I guess not.

[jrchloe]

What about the top loading machines that do not have an agitator? I know they are awesome for clothes so I wonder if they would be good for sheets and blankets.

[equusus]

OK, I found a 4 cu ft washer. It is a top load, no agitator.
Do you guys think this would handle a blanket at a time?

[MistyBlue]

Only way to know is to try. :winkgrin: Start with a light sheet and go from there.

OMG... Cattle through the car wash!! Even in the self wash lane- that is TOO funny!
Have to say the first time I've seen that I was pretty :eek: myself, LOL!

[jrchloe]

I know that the top loading no agiator cleans clothes and very large and heavy comforters really really well. My friend had one that she loved and said to would probably be a good barn washer (they can be bigger than 4.5 cu ft) if you don't go with commerical.