A method for continuous conditioning of a rubber blanket such as the type used on compressive shrinkage apparatus is described. The blanket includes an inner bearing surface defining a bearing face and an outer surface defining a web-contacting face. The web-contacting face is contacted under pressure with an abrasive conditioning roll while the blanket is in its regular, web treating operation. The blanket working face can thus be continuously conditioned without the need for lengthy machine stops. In this way, the conventional grinding and cleaning operations can be minimized or eliminated.