How to Wash a Weighted Blanket

We all love our weighted blankets because of their warmth and how they feel on our skin. For the same reason, you must also wash them to eliminate odors and stains caused by dead cells and sweat from the skin. But the question remains: can you wash weighted blankets at home?

Yes, you can. This article will discuss how to wash your weighted blankets at home and what care tips to take note of for washing various weighted blanket materials, whether you want to wash them by hand or with a washing machine – and many more.

How to Wash a Weighted Blanket

Washing a weighted blanket is a task best suited for a professional dry cleaner. But who says you can’t wash your weighted blanket at home if you want to? If the thought has crossed your mind, but you’re unsure how to go about it, we know just how. Follow the simple steps as we lay them down in this post, and you’ll be washing them in no time.

However, your manufacturer’s care guidelines must ALWAYS precede any other washing instructions in this article or online. This will go a long way to prevent damage to your weighted blanket or washing machine. It’s, therefore, good practice to always check your blanket’s care tag before taking steps to wash it at home.

With that out of the way, we have outlined steps to take if you wish to wash your weighted blanket at home, by hand, or by using a washing machine. Here we go.

How to Machine Wash a Weighted Blanket

Whether your weighted blanket can go in the washing machine is debatable because that would depend on its material makeup, the kind of fillers used, and how large it is. In other words, always ensure that the blanket is machine-washable and weighs less than 15 pounds before considering putting it in the washing machine. 

Follow the instructions below to wash a weighted blanket in a washing machine: 

Step 1 – Take Off The Outer Cover (If Applicable)

Some weighted blankets come equipped with an outer covering resembling a duvet that can be removed. The first thing you need to do is to remove that cover. After separating the cover from the weighted blanket, these two should be washed separately.

Step 2 – Inspect The Blanket For Stains

It is a good idea to pre-treat stains on the blanket before tossing them in a washing machine. To do that, you need to scan and take note of all the spot stains on the blanket, then treat them using an enzymatic stain remover like BioKleen Bac-Out. 

Enzyme stain remover excels at removing food and drink stains, blood stains, and other stains of biological origin. Follow the cleaning instructions on the product’s label, and you will not encounter any hassle here. 

Step 3 – Load Blanket In Washing Machine

Finally, it is time to load the blanket into the washing machine. However, we hope your washer is large enough to accommodate the blanket. A medium or large-sized front-loading machine will conveniently hold a 15-pound (or lower) weighted blanket. Here are the steps involved: 

1. Pour your laundry detergent into the detergent compartment of your washing machine. 
2. Load the pre-treated weighted blanket into the washing machine and turn it on. 
3. Set the washing machine to a gentle cycle.
4. After the cycle completes, take the weighted blanket out – it’s time to dry it. We have further instructions for drying your weighted blanket. Keep reading. 

You might want to read how to keep sheets from balling in the dryer.

How to Hand Wash a Weighted Blanket

Some weighted blankets cannot be washed in the machine because of their size; some simply can’t be washed using a machine – size asides. In that case, you must go the old-fashioned way of washing by hand. Follow the steps below to wash your weighted blanket by hand the right way: 

1. First off, don’t forget to read the blanket’s care label for washing guidance.
2. Fill your bathtub with an appropriate amount of water – warm or cold.
3. Pour in an appropriate amount of non-chlorine detergent into the water; they are usually more color-safe and effective.
4. Make the weighted blanket soak for about 15 minutes.
5. Knead through the blanket gently with your hands to force the stains and unpleasantness out. Then raise it while draining the pool. 
6. Next, refill the tub with clean water and rinse the weighted blanket. Repeat this step until the water runs clear. 
7. Lastly, drain the tub and gently squeeze (not wring) the blanket to remove excess water. 

Washing Tips For Different Weighted Blanket Materials

Weighted blankets come in various material compositions, from cotton to fleece. Each can be washed best using a unique washing style. Below are the most common weighted blanket materials and tips on how best to wash them: 

Minky Fur Blankets

Minky fur blankets are characteristically soft, and washing them is relatively easy – just like cotton weighted blankets. It’s fine to wash Minky fur weighted blankets with either warm or cold water. However, they are best washed alone to eliminate the risk of ruining their soft features.

Cotton Blankets

Weighted blankets made of cotton are one of the easiest to clean. Also, they can withstand several washes before showing signs of wear. On the first wash, you might want to add a cup of salt or vinegar to lock its colors in and prevent the dye from bleeding. To reduce agitation as you wash the weighted blanket, it is advised that you wash them by themselves or in small loads.

Linen Blend Blankets

Linen-blended weighted blankets – linen-rayon, for example – are tricky to wash at home. It’s best to drop them off at the dry cleaner’s shop. Other blends of weighted blankets that don’t include linen can be washed using a cold cycle and an appropriate oxygen bleach (when needed). 

Fleece Blankets

Fleece weighted blankets are more versatile; they can handle fabric softeners, low-heat dry in the dryer, and a warm wash. 

How to Dry a Weighted Blanket

Washing your weighted blanket is only half the battle; if you get it wrong when it comes to drying your blanket, you may end with up a damaged or smelly blanket, depending on the kind of (wrong) move you made. Weighted blankets come with different fillers: plastic beads, metallic pellets, glass beads – name it! 

The key to successfully drying your weighted blanket rests on knowing which material can go in the dryer and which should be air-dried. Read on to find out.

Dry on low heat In The Dryer

Can it survive the heat of the dryer? If your weighted blanket passes this test, it can go in the dryer. As a rule, the only type of weighted blanket that safely goes into the dryer are those with micro glass bead fillings. Even at that, let it tumble dry under low heat. 

Air dry Outdoors

For example, weighted blankets with plastic bead fillings will invariably melt in a dryer, ruining them permanently. We recommend that weighted blankets (asides from micro-glass-filled ones) be air-dried in the open. Follow the next instructions below to air dry your weighted blanket the right way: 

1. Spread your weighted blanket out flat to dry. Instead of hanging them on one side, ensure that the fillings don’t fall to one side of the blanket, making it dry unevenly. So spread the weighted blanket out on a plastic tarp.
2. After laying it flat on the tarp, proceed to even out the inner fillings in the weighted blanket. This is to promote even drying.
3. It takes 24 – 48 hours for a weighted blanket to dry completely. In that time, turn it every 4 hours and repeat step 3 until it dries.

Should You Iron A Weighted Blanket?

No. You should never iron your weighted blanket. Ironing a weighted blanket, even on low heat, is terrible. The heat of the iron will ruin its inner filling, and you may not be able to use your blanket again. Besides, ironing a weighted blanket will not much help its appearance, so it’s better to leave it the way it is. Don’t iron your weighted blanket unless your manufacturer states it can be ironed.

How Often Should Weighted Blankets Be Washed?

One fact is settled: you should wash your weighted blanket according to a regular schedule, but how frequently you wash it depends on a few factors. Since weighted blankets are used frequently, in most cases every night, they should be washed on a regular schedule. On average, your weighted blankets should be washed once every quarter.

Another way to gauge when to wash your weighted blanket is by following your comforter’s washing schedule; wash your weighted blanket at the same time when you wash your comforter. If you use it infrequently, like a lap blanket, washing your weighted blanket once every quarter would suffice. 

If you’re a clean freak, resist the urge to wash your weighted blanket too frequently. Doing this may adversely affect its texture and wear out the fabric fast. By washing it only when necessary, your weighted blanket will look sharp and last a long time. 

Finally, if you notice that your weighted blanket has started to lose color or doesn’t just feel right, then it’s probably time to replace it. Typically, you should replace your weighted blanket once every five years. 

You may also like to learn how to wash Brooklinen sheets, comforters, and pillows.

Weighted Blanket Care Tips

Different care guidelines may apply depending on whether your weighted blanket is composed of cotton, rayon, wool, polyester, or another material; if the filling is composed of plastic pellets, glass beads, or organic elements, and a couple of other factors. 

Overall, the best care advice for a weighted blanket should come from your manufacturer. Always check your blanket’s care tag or the manufacturer’s website for care instructions tailored to your specific weighted blanket. Nonetheless, the directions for most weighted blankets are as follows:

• Weighted blankets don’t do well with fabric softeners, so do not add any while machine washing them. Also, only use gentle detergent while washing. 
• Select a gentle washing cycle and low heat for drying the blanket.
• Only bleach-free detergent should be used while washing the weighted blanket. 
• Weighted blanket covers should be washed separately from the blanket itself. Typically, you can wash duvet covers in cold water using the usual washing machine settings. 
• Sometimes, it’s unnecessary to wash the entire weighted blanket when a stain or spill occurs; it’s beneficial to just spot-clean the stain. We recommend using an enzyme detergent and warm water to clean the spot for food and wine stains. If you’re curious, here’s how you can spot clean grape and wine juice with a few simple steps.

• Any weighted blanket weighing more than 20 pounds should be taken to a dry cleaner; your washing machine is not equipped to handle that much bulk.
• Try not to hang your weighted blanket by one end to dry. Doing this will strain the seams, and your blanket wouldn’t even dry as it should. Rather, lay it flat on a plastic tarp or put it on a shower bar to dry.
• Most cleaning experts advise that you air dry your weighted blanket instead of putting it in the hanger – the advice is solid. It will increase its lifespan in the long run.

Why Can’t You Machine Wash A Weighted Blanket? 

There’s a reason why experts suggest that you take your weighted blanket to the laundromat; certain weighted blankets should never go in the washing machine, but the user may not know until it’s too late. 

If you know exactly what fabric and filling type will not fail in a washing machine, you can confidently judge whether your weighted blanket can go in the washing machine. For example, avoid machine washing wool weighted blankets in a washing machine or drying them in a dryer as it may shrink the material. Check out genius ways to unshrink wool.

How To Wash A Weighted Blanket That Says ‘Spot Clean Only’?

If it says ‘spot clean only,’ then there’s a big reason why the manufacturer insists that you do not dunk your weighted blanket in water to wash it, so don’t even think of washing it at home. The best line of action would be to take your weighted blanket to the dry cleaner. 

However, in case of a beverage spill, here’s how to go about spot cleaning it: 

• Gently blot the spill with a clean washcloth or rag to absorb as much of the spill as possible. Resist the urge to rub the spill while you’re at it; this will only send the liquid deeper into the blanket. 
• Mix one part liquid detergent with 10 parts water using a clean rag, and gently apply the soapy solution to the spot. 
• Leave the rag on the spot for about 10 minutes, then rinse it with water. Repeat this step until the stain disappears. 

Can I Wash A Weighted Blanket With Glass Beads? 

Yes, you can. Simply throw your glass bead-filled weighted blanket in a large, clean bucket or a bathtub, then hand-wash, following closely the instructions on your blanket’s care guide. Use a gentle laundry detergent and cool or warm water to wash. If you’re planning to hand wash your blanket, remember that it will become extremely heavy while wet, so you may need extra hands around to help.

If your glass bead-filled blanket comes with a removable cover, take it off your blanket first, and hand wash it separately.

Should You Wash A Weighted Blanket?

If you have a weighted blanket at home, chances are you love it – why wouldn’t you? It feels comfortable and helps to lighten your mood. Weighted blankets use deep pressure stimulation, which is thought to stimulate the production of a mood-boosting hormone (serotonin), reduce the stress hormone (cortisol), and increase melatonin levels, the hormone that helps you sleep. This may help improve overall sleep quality.

But on every encounter with your comfy weighted blanket, sweat and body oils – sometimes even food particles – may rub off, making it progressively dirty. So, should you wash a weighted blanket? Definitely. 

Ideally, you should wash your weighted blanket once every three or four months by taking it to a professional dry cleaner. If you need to launder it at home, then thoroughly consider that instructions on your weighted blanket’s care take to ensure it can be laundered. 

If your blanket can go in the machine or get washed by hand, simply follow the simple instructions in this article, and you will soon have a clean blanket to call your own.

In conclusion, studies have proven that weighted blankets can help you to improve sleep and reduce anxiety by employing deep pressure stimulation. So we understand why you would want to live in it – the benefits are huge. 

You might have to choose between taking it to your dry cleaner or washing it at home to save a few bucks. If you eventually opt to wash your weighted blanket at home, we hope you find the instructions in this post useful.