A faux fur throw earns its place fast: it's usually the first thing people reach for on the couch. Keeping it looking and feeling that way for years comes down to one rule above all the others. Heat is the enemy. Get that right, and everything else in this guide is easy.
The One Rule That Matters Most
Faux fur is a synthetic fibre, and synthetic fibres respond to heat the way you'd expect plastic to: they can flatten, mat, or in worst cases melt. No hot water, no tumble drying, no ironing, no drying in direct sun or next to a heater. Every step below is really just that one principle applied to a different situation.
How to Wash It
Hand washing is the gentlest option and the best way to extend a throw's lifespan. Use cold water, a mild soap (like Castile soap rather than a heavy-duty detergent), and a gentle press instead of scrubbing. If you do use a machine, only do this for a 100% polyester faux fur (not acrylic blends), on a gentle cycle with cold water. Skip fabric softener, since it tends to weigh down and flatten the pile rather than keeping it soft.
Both of Himmel's faux fur pieces, the Chunky Ribbed Faux Fur Blanket Throw and the Chunky Bubble Faux Fur Blanket, have a 100% polyester faux fur face, which is the more forgiving fibre type for this kind of care.
Drying and Restoring the Texture
Air dry only, laid flat or hung in a well-ventilated spot out of direct sunlight. Never in a cramped closet, and never near a heater or tumble dryer. Larger throws can take a day or two to dry fully; a fan nearby speeds things up without adding heat.
While the throw is still damp, brush it gently with a wide-toothed comb to help the pile settle back into shape, then brush again once it's fully dry to fluff the texture back up. Avoid anything with sharp bristles, which can snag or pull at the fibres.
Spot Cleaning a Spill
For a small spill, don't wait and don't scrub. Rinse the area with cold water, gently work the mark out with your fingers or a soft cloth, then squeeze (never wring) out the excess water before laying it flat to air dry and brushing once dry.
Storing It Between Seasons
If a throw isn't in regular use, store it somewhere it can breathe, not compressed in a sealed bag or crammed into a full closet, and away from direct sunlight, which can fade colour over time even in storage.
FAQ
Can I put a faux fur blanket in the dryer? No. Heat is what damages faux fur fibres most, and a tumble dryer is one of the most concentrated heat exposures a throw will face. Air drying is the only method that won't risk flattening or melting the pile.
Is it safe to machine wash faux fur? Only if the faux fur is 100% polyester (check the fibre content, not just the label's care icon), and only on a gentle cycle with cold water. Acrylic faux fur is more heat-sensitive and better hand washed.
Why does my faux fur throw look flat after washing? This is almost always heat or fabric softener: either can compress the pile. Brushing it gently while damp and again once dry usually restores most of the loft.
How do I get the texture back if it's already matted? A wide-toothed comb worked through gently, from the base of the fibres outward, will usually revive a mildly matted pile. Deep matting from heat exposure is harder to reverse, which is why avoiding heat in the first place matters more than any after-the-fact fix.
The Takeaway
Faux fur is genuinely low-maintenance as long as you keep it away from heat. Cold water, air drying, and a gentle brush are really the whole system. Treat it that way and it'll stay as soft as the day it arrived.
