In my opinion fleece doesn't need to be washed, unless you want to, because it is synthetic and doesn't shrink.

I made youth bed sheets out of light weight fleece for my twin grandsons, and my DIL washes them in warm water in the washer. Depending on the capacity of the recievers washing machines your blankets could be washed the same way or taken to the laundromat and washed in the oversize machines

Thank you! One step saved!! Now get busy!!

a word of caution DO NOT use bleach or fabric softner. they will make fleece flat not fluffy. ralfsmom

I am old school but wash the fabric, the leftover manufacturing dyes are not great on needles and also can cause health problems for some people. All garments we buy has to be washed before my one daughter can wear them. Just launder as would normally and add vinegar to rinse water to make nice and soft