Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I work in the laundry business. I purchased this blanket because I wanted only natural materials on my bed. It's very thick, heavy and well made. However, when I saw the photos people have posted of blanket shreds in their machines, I felt I had to say something. 1. You should NEVER wash large, bulky items, wool or delicates in a top loading machine with an agitator. It will twist the fabric and possibly rip it to shreds, as you saw in the photos. If you don't have a front loading washing machine, take it to a laundromat and wash it there for a few dollars. Wash it in cold water, gentle cycle, with a little soap which is gentle or specifically made for wool. If you're not willing to do this, then you should probably buy a different blanket. 2. Yes, it does shed a lot when new. But this can be easily fixed: Line/air dry as directed, then put it in the dryer with 3 tennis balls on NO HEAT/FLUFF for 10-20 min cycles. Clean your lint screen each time. This will get the majority of the loose fibers out. 3. The "smell" that people are referring to is called lanolin, and is a naturally occurring substance in wool. It goes away with time. I hope this is helpful!