Blanket and Razai Cleaning Before Winter

In Delhi NCR, the blankets and razais come out of the box sometime in November. They've been sitting folded for seven or eight months, and they usually smell like it. Cleaning them is easy to put off, but sleeping under dust and stale smells all winter isn't great for anyone, least of all people with a sensitive nose.

Here's how to sort what you have, and what each one needs.

First, check what's inside

The filling decides everything.

• Cotton-filled razai. The traditional kind. The cotton inside clumps and goes flat when soaked, so it shouldn't be washed whole in a machine. Wash or dry clean the cover separately. If the cotton itself has gone hard or lumpy, it needs to be opened and re-fluffed by someone who does that work.
• Polyester or microfibre quilt. Most modern quilts. Many can be washed, but they're heavy when wet and often too big for a home machine. A laundry with large machines does a better job.
• Wool blanket. Needs gentle cleaning. Hot water and a hard spin shrink and felt wool. Dry cleaning or a wool-safe wet clean is safer.
• Mink or fleece blanket. Usually machine-washable on a gentle cycle in cold water. Check the label.

Always read the care label if there is one. It's the fastest answer.

If you're washing at home

• Use cold or lukewarm water and a mild detergent.
• Don't overload the machine. A blanket needs room to move to get clean.
• Dry it fully, in the sun if the fabric allows. A blanket that's put away even slightly damp will smell musty within days.

What a good cleaner should tell you

Before you hand over a razai or heavy blanket, ask:

1. Will you clean it whole, or just the cover?
2. How do you dry it? Large items take a long time to dry properly.
3. When will it be ready? The first cold week of the season is busy for every cleaner.

A shop that answers these clearly is usually one that does the job properly.

Book before the first cold week

Every year, most families remember the blankets on the same few days, when the temperature first drops. That's when cleaners get backed up. If you book in early November, you'll get your blankets back before you actually need them.

Storing them at the end of winter

When winter ends, clean them before you store them. Food, sweat and body oils attract insects. Store blankets in a cotton bag or box in a dry place, with neem leaves or a cloth bag of cloves if you prefer something natural.

Compare cleaners near you

On Launzo you can see who cleans blankets and razais in your sector, who offers pickup for heavy items, when they'll be ready, and reviews from customers with a verified order.