A new wool blanket sheds because short, loose fibers left over from spinning and weaving work their way out in the first weeks of use, and it slows down on its own. Pills are small balls of those fibers, twisted together by rubbing: remove them gently with a fabric shaver or a wool comb, never by pulling. A faint smell of sheep comes from lanolin, the wax in sheep's wool, and fades with airing.
A musty smell is a different story. It means the blanket got damp and stayed damp, so it needs drying out thoroughly, not a scented spray. Washing rarely solves any of these; most of what follows takes a brush, fresh air and a few minutes.
Why a new wool blanket sheds
Wool yarn is spun from fibers of different lengths. The shortest are held only loosely, and weaving, finishing and packing loosen a few more. Once you start using the blanket, friction pulls these loose ends to the surface and off, onto your sweater, the couch and the floor.
That is normal, and it doesn't mean the blanket is coming apart. Once the loose fibers are out, shedding tapers off, usually within the first few weeks of regular use. To speed it up:
- Shake the blanket out firmly outdoors.
- Go over both sides with a soft clothes brush, in the direction of the fibers, or with a lint roller.
- Air it outdoors for a few hours, out of direct sun and rain.
What is not normal: yarns working loose, thin or bald patches, holes, or shedding that is as heavy after a month as on the first day. That is a reason to contact us.
Why wool blankets pill, and how to remove pills
Pills form where a blanket rubs against something: the arm of the sofa, the spot where you sit, the foot of the bed, the dog's favorite corner. Friction twists loose surface fibers into small balls. Fine, soft fibers such as merino pill more readily than coarse wool. In blends with nylon, like our merino throws, the strong nylon can also hold a pill in place instead of letting it drop off. So an occasional de-pilling is part of normal care, not a sign of a fault.
How to remove pills without damaging the wool:
- Fabric shaver: lay the blanket flat and smooth on a table, hold the fabric taut and glide the shaver over the pilled area in light passes, without pressing. Don't work the same spot over and over, and keep clear of the edges and fringes.
- Wool comb: use short, light strokes in one direction while you hold the fabric flat with your other hand. It is slower but gentler, and good for small areas.
- Small scissors: for a few large pills, snip them off one at a time, level with the surface.
Never pull pills off with your fingers: that drags more fibers out of the yarn and starts new pills. Try any tool on a hidden corner first. As the loose fibers are used up, pilling usually eases.
The sheep smell: lanolin, and how to air it out
Sheep's wool contains lanolin, a wax that helps the fleece shed rain while it is still on the sheep. Most of it is washed out before the wool is spun, but traces remain. You may notice a faint, warm smell of sheep in a new blanket, especially after it has spent weeks folded in its packaging, or when it gets damp. Wet wool smells more of sheep, and the smell fades as it dries.
The fix is fresh air. Hang the blanket outdoors for a few hours on a dry day, in the shade: direct sun can fade colors, and rain would soak it. Repeat over a few days if needed. Indoors, spread it over a chair near an open window. Don't seal a new blanket back into plastic; let it breathe, and the smell will fade with use.
A musty smell means moisture
A musty or sour smell is not lanolin. It means the blanket got damp and never dried fully: stored in a humid basement, packed away in plastic before it was dry, or left folded after a spill. Damp wool that can't breathe is where mildew starts.
- Dry it completely. Spread it out flat in a dry, airy room, turn it a few times, and check that the inside of every fold is dry.
- Air it outdoors in the shade on a dry, breezy day, several times if needed.
- Get it cleaned if the smell stays once the blanket is bone dry and aired, or if you see spots of mildew. Washable woolens can be washed as their label allows; for our throws, that means dry cleaning.
Skip fabric sprays and perfumes. They cover the smell for a day and leave the dampness where it was.
How to prevent shedding, pilling and smells
- Shake and air the blanket every week or two while it is in use.
- Brush it now and then with a soft brush, in the direction of the fibers.
- Turn and flip it, so the same patch doesn't take all the rubbing.
- Keep it away from hook-and-loop fasteners, rough upholstery and pet claws.
- Blot spills right away, and let the spot dry flat.
- Put it away only when it is clean and completely dry, and store it somewhere dry, not in a damp basement.
- Follow the care label. Our guide on how to wash a wool blanket explains what each symbol allows.
When to contact us
Some shedding, a few pills and a faint smell of wool are normal in a new wool throw. Write to us at hey@lyhome.me if you notice something else:
- holes, pulled or broken yarns, or fringes coming undone;
- heavy shedding that hasn't eased after a few weeks of use;
- a smell that is still there after several days of airing;
- a throw that arrived damaged or isn't what you ordered.
Include your order number and a photo or two, so we can see what you see. You can return any throw within 30 days; see our returns policy. Return postage is yours unless the item arrived wrong or damaged, and refunds usually go out within 7 days of the return reaching us. If you are choosing a new throw, our merino throws come in three sizes, from $49.90.
FAQ
How long does a new wool blanket shed?
Usually for the first few weeks of regular use. Shaking, brushing and airing it outdoors speed that up.
Does pilling mean a wool blanket is poor quality?
Not by itself. Every wool fabric pills a little where it rubs, and fine, soft fibers pill more readily than coarse ones. A fabric shaver or a wool comb removes the pills.
How do you get the sheep smell out of a wool blanket?
Air it outdoors in the shade for a few hours, a few times. The lanolin smell fades with airing and use; you don't need to wash it out.
Why does my wool blanket smell musty?
It got damp and didn't dry fully. Dry it completely, air it outdoors, and have it cleaned if the smell stays.
