Tradition Meets Modern Care

A Basotho blanket is more than a comforting layer — it’s a piece of heritage woven with culture, meant to be lived in, passed down, and cared for with intention. While modern tools help keep your blanket at its best, the heart of Basotho blanket care is rooted in Lesotho Highlands traditions, where these blankets remain a daily part of life.

Understanding both approaches helps you care for your blanket in a way that honours its history while keeping it beautiful for years.

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Let Fresh Air Do the Work

In the Highlands, care often begins with something simple: fresh air. Basotho families drape their blankets over stone walls, fences, or shrubs, letting the mountain breeze lift away dust and revive the fibres. It’s a timeless method that still works today.

You can do the same at home. Take your blanket outside, give it a gentle shake, and let fresh air breathe new life into it. Wool naturally repels dirt, so sometimes nature is truly the best cleaner.

If your blanket needs a little brightening, a soft-bristle brush works wonders. Brush gently in the direction of the weave — just like it’s done traditionally in the Highlands.

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When Spills Happen: Clean With Care

Spills happen everywhere — from city lounges to highland rondavels. Traditionally, Basotho households clean small marks with cold water, minimal soap, and a gentle hand.

The rule remains: dab, never rub.

Use lukewarm water, a wool-safe detergent, and a soft cloth. Rinse gently and let the blanket air dry. This slow, patient method mirrors how the Basotho have always cared for wool — with attention, not haste.

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Wash Only When Necessary

In Lesotho’s mountain villages, washing blankets is rare and done with great care. It’s often a seasonal task on warmer days, using river water or metal basins.

Blankets are gently pressed, never scrubbed, and soaked in cold water before being rinsed in slow-moving streams.

You can carry this wisdom into modern care:

• Wash your blanket only when needed
• Use the wool cycle on your machine
• Choose cold or lukewarm water
• Use a neutral, wool-approved detergent
• Keep agitation low and give the blanket room to move

It’s a blend of old wisdom and modern convenience — gentle, respectful, and effective.

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Drying With Patience

Traditionally, blankets dry flat on grass, stone, or shrub branches — always supported, never hung from a single corner. Wool becomes heavy when wet and can stretch easily.

At home, follow the same rule: lay your blanket flat in a shaded, breezy spot and let it dry slowly. Avoid harsh sun and hanging vertically. The fibres will thank you.

If your blanket’s label allows tumble drying (rare for wool blends), use only a low-heat wool/delicate setting.

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A Little-Known Tradition: Smoke Freshening

In some rural communities, blankets are lightly aired near woodfire smoke — just enough to refresh the fabric and deter insects. It’s not heavy smoking, but a subtle, practical method tied to life around the hearth.

While you don’t need to add smoke to your modern routine, it’s a beautiful reminder of how closely Basotho blankets are woven with home, warmth, and daily rhythm.

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Store Your Blanket With Intention

Whether stored in a rondavel or a modern home, the principles are the same:

• Keep it cool, dry, and clean
• Fold gently, never compress too tightly
• Store in an airtight container or breathable cotton bag
• Add cedar chips or natural moth repellent

In the Highlands, families traditionally used woven grass baskets and dried lengana (African wormwood) to keep insects at bay. You can easily adapt this with modern equivalents.

Taking your blanket out for fresh air every few months echoes this timeless care.

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Honouring Heritage Through Care

A Basotho blanket is a daily companion in the Lesotho Highlands — worn, used, slept under, treasured. Caring for it is not just maintenance; it’s a quiet gesture of respect for the story woven into every pattern.

By blending traditional methods with modern convenience, you help preserve that story while keeping your blanket soft, vibrant, and ready for the next generation.

If you’re ready to add one to your home, explore our full collection proudly made by Aranda Blankets South Africa:
👉 Shop Basotho Blankets