Wool Blankets and the Mills that Weave Them

When Pendleton Woolen Mills joined the wool blanket trade at the beginning of the last century, we were one of dozens of USA mills producing these versatile and long lasting blankets. Now there are only a handful.

We are proud to weave in USA mills where we can control the quality of wool used, the craftsmanship of the construction, and the working conditions for our USA workers. Pendleton has been weaving at our Pendleton, Oregon mill since 1909, and at our Washougal, Washington mill since 1912. We continue to weave quality wool blankets in the USA, investing regularly in state-of-the-art technologies to keep our historic mills current.

Why Choose Wool Blankets? Because…wool.

From our beautifully patterned traditional wool blankets to our Easy Care washable Pendleton Eco-Wise Wool® blankets, Pendleton has a wool blanket that will suit any décor, from a country cabin to an industrial loft. With a few simple care strategies, yours will last for generations.

Consumers choose our blankets for their beauty, utility, and in some cases, to help support causes they believe in, like our National Park Series blankets.

In return, we want to provide the very finest in quality and workmanship. This starts with the fiber itself, virgin wool. As a natural fiber, wool has some amazing properties that make a wool blanket an excellent choice for lasting year-round comfort. So before we get into blankets themselves, here are some facts about the fiber that makes wool blankets so special.

What makes wool fibers so special?

To answer that, we have to talk about wool’s structure. It has overlapping scales that can lift to add insulation, release or retain heat, and release moisture. It is, in effect, self-cleaning. This scaled structure makes wool naturally thermo-regulating. Our Pendleton Easy Care blankets, made of Pendleton Eco-Wise wool, are lighter weight, washable, and the amazing thermo-regulating properties of wool make them perfect for a winter or a summer night.

Wool is also a naturally renewable resource, with special emphasis on the word natural. It is not petroleum-based, like the fibers in so many synthetic blankets that use polyurethane, nylon, and polyester. Some synthetic blankets also shed micro-plastics.

Yes, wool costs more than these manufactured products, but Pendleton blankets are an investment in quality. Our wool blankets are woven from the finest fleece we can source from wool growers. Our wool buyers visit ranches to strengthen our connections and make sure the sheep are treated well, because happy sheep provide the best fleece.

Caring for your Wool Blanket 

Customers contact us often, asking, “Can I wash a wool blanket?" The answer is (usually) no.  Pendleton’s traditional wool blankets should only be dry-cleaned. Washing will shrink the blanket and ruin it. These blankets will have a care label with “Dry Clean" on it.

The exception is the Easy Care washable Pendleton Eco-Wise Wool® bedding line. With these blankets, the answer to “Can I wash a wool blanket?" is yes! You can machine wash an Easy Care wool blanket. You can also put this blanket in the dryer.

The Easy Care Blanket collection of plaids, stripes, and solid wool blankets offer a range of colors and styles to suit your mood and your room. Shams in coordinating solid colors and fringed throws (as an accent the end of the bed) complete the look—and everything is washable.

• The blankets in the Easy Care washable Pendleton Eco-Wise Wool® bedding line have been woven and treated with a special finish to prevent felting.
• These blankets have a care label with clear care instructions.
• They can be washed in the washing machine and dried in the dryer. In fact, these blankets are softer after washing.
• Follow the care instructions and please remember that wool does not require constant washing, unlike cotton.
• If you choose to hang dry your Easy Care wool blanket, give it several days to air dry before putting it back on your bed.
• Wool blanket can easily be refreshed by hanging it in a steamy room for a bit, then allowing it to air. The wool fibers open up to release soil and odors.

How to Clean a Wool Blanket 

• If you’ve treated yourself to an Easy Care Pendleton blanket, follow the enclosed care instructions carefully! Your blanket will be softer after the first wash, as the fibers will bloom a bit.
• If you have invested in a traditional Pendleton blanket, dry clean only when needed. Wool, unlike cotton, releases dirt and odors on its own, and doesn’t need constant cleaning.
• The best way to preserve your dry-clean only traditional wool blanket is to use it. Taking blankets outside every few months for shaking, brushing, and a short exposure to sunlight will also prevent damage.
• If you are going to store your blanket for the summer, safely clean all spills and residues from wool blankets before putting away. Treat small stains by blotting with cold water or seltzer and blotting dry with a clean cloth.
• If you’re a collector, store blankets in plastic airtight boxes and bags that seal completely. Air out, shake and refold your treasures every few months.
• And remember to avoid wool’s enemies. Bleach causes wool fiber to stiffen and discolor permanently. A lot of bleach will dissolve wool fiber. The alkalis in soaps and detergents remove wool’s luster, strength, and softness. Exposure to high, direct heat will damage wool fabric.
• To avoid moth damage, shake or brush stored blankets, and keep closets and storage areas swept. Sunlight is another helpful tool against moths—and sun your blankets now and then. Don’t expose them to long stretches of hot sun, just let the rays soak them once or twice a summer. This also causes the fibers to fluff up.
• If you have purchased or inherited a wool blanket that has no care label, your best course is to dry clean it. This applies to traditional patterned Trade blankets, and vintage bed blankets in solid colors, stripes, or plaids.

Where to Buy Wool Blankets 

At Pendleton-usa.com of course! Or, visit one of our Pendleton stores. We have spent over a century refining the art of weaving and have a huge selection of blankets that tell stories, support excellent causes, and bring beauty to your bed. Our American-made blankets carry on a legacy of craftsmanship. 

We would be happy to show you around in person, and let you see the options available for your home. Here are some of your choices:

Traditional wool blankets: See them here

National Park blankets: See them here

Yakima Camp Blankets: See them here

Washable Easy Care Pendleton Eco-Wise Wool® blankets: See them here

Wrapping It Up 

It’s been our honor to provide consumers with the finest wool blankets for over a century. With proper care, your Pendleton wool blanket will wrap you in beauty for generations. So choose well and enjoy that beautiful blanket. Your investment will be repaid with lasting quality and function in beautiful virgin wool.