A Robbie Adrian blanket is made to be used, not saved for special occasions. Both of its materials are natural fibers: an organic cotton knit and a border of real 100% silk charmeuse (18.5 momme). Natural fibers reward gentle habits, and with a little care your blanket will hold up through years of daily snuggles and, later on, decades in a keepsake box. Here is exactly how we recommend caring for yours. As always, the care tag sewn into your blanket is the final word.
Machine washing
Yes, you can machine wash it. We recommend cold water on the gentle cycle, and a few small habits that protect the silk:
- Use a mild, dye-free detergent. A small amount is plenty.
- Never use chlorine bleach. It weakens silk fibers and can yellow them permanently.
- Skip fabric softener. It coats both cotton and silk with residue that dulls the sheen and reduces softness over time.
- Wash with other soft items only. Zippers, hooks, and hook-and-loop fasteners can snag charmeuse in the drum.
- A mesh laundry bag adds an extra layer of protection, especially for loveys.
Drying
Drying flat is the gentlest option and the one we recommend for keeping the silk border smooth and the knit in shape. Lay the blanket on a towel, pat it into its natural shape, and let it air dry away from direct sunlight. If you need it sooner, a low-heat tumble is fine. Remove it promptly while it still holds a whisper of moisture, then smooth the trim flat with your hands. High heat is the one thing silk truly dislikes, so save the hot cycle for your towels.
Ironing
Most wrinkles in silk charmeuse relax on their own once the blanket is dry and laid flat. If the cotton knit needs a touch-up, we recommend a cool iron on the cotton only, working around the silk border rather than over it. Direct heat and steam pressed onto charmeuse can flatten its natural luster. When in doubt, leave the silk alone. It tends to take care of itself.
Spot-treating
Life with a well-loved blanket includes the occasional dribble. Treat spots promptly with cold water and a drop of mild detergent. On the cotton, work gently with your fingertips. On the silk trim, blot rather than rub, since friction is harder on charmeuse than the stain itself usually is. Avoid stain removers that contain bleach or brighteners anywhere near the silk. Then wash as usual.
A note for the littlest ones
These blankets are made for awake time together: tummy time on the floor, a layer over the stroller straps on a crisp morning, the backdrop for month-by-month photos, snuggles in your arms. For babies under twelve months, pediatricians recommend keeping the crib free of loose blankets, so let this one be the daytime companion and the photo star for now. There will be years of bedtime cuddles ahead, and the blanket will be waiting.
Storing an heirloom
Many of our blankets are eventually tucked away for the next chapter, whether that is a second child or a hope chest. For long-term keepsake storage, we recommend:
- Wash and fully dry the blanket first. Even invisible traces of milk or lotion can yellow over years.
- Store it in a breathable cotton bag or wrapped in a clean cotton pillowcase. Never plastic, which traps moisture and can discolor natural fibers.
- Tuck acid-free tissue into the folds to prevent permanent creases along the silk.
- Choose a cool, dry, dark spot, away from attics and basements.
- Once a year or so, take it out, refold it along different lines, and say hello.
Why real silk is worth the care
Silk charmeuse is a protein fiber, like fine wool or your own hair. Washed gently, it softens with age and keeps its low, warm luster for decades, which is why silk garments from generations ago still turn up beautifully intact. Polyester satin behaves differently because it is a plastic fiber; over time it tends to pill, fray at the edge, and take on a stiff, glassy shine. We wrote more about the difference in Real Silk vs. Polyester Satin. A blanket meant to be passed down deserves a trim that ages the way memories should.
Questions about materials
You can read exactly what goes into every blanket on our Materials & Standards page. The short version: organic cotton grown and spun in India, then knit and hand-sewn in the USA, finished with real 100% silk charmeuse (18.5 momme). Care for it gently and it will outlast the crib, the toddler bed, and quite possibly the childhood.