How to Wash a Weighted Blanket; in 3 Easy Modes

Weighted blankets are best for relaxing and comfortable sleep. They feel like a warm hug that settles your nervous system after a long, stressful day. But it’s not best and easy when we have to wash them.

Because of their unique construction and heavy fillers, you can’t just toss them in with your regular laundry without a plan. You can wash the blanket at home by learning how to wash a weighted blanket properly.

A weighted blanket is handy and beneficial for people who are suffering from restlessness and anxiety, PTSD, and many other situations that keep them away from sleeping at night.

The gentle pressure helps stimulate the production of serotonin and melatonin, making it a vital tool for mental wellbeing. However, like any bedding, it accumulates sweat, skin cells, and dust over time.

It’s essential to keep it clean and in good condition to make its life as long as possible. A well-maintained blanket can last for many years, but improper washing can lead to leaks, clumping, or even damage to your washing machine.

Some weighted blankets are easy to wash, but some are very difficult and take a lot of time to wash.

Many people don’t care about their blankets as they should have to do. The first thing you should never forget is to read the care and safety instructions on the tag before learning how to wash a weighted blanket. This tag is your roadmap.

It tells you exactly what the blanket is made of and whether it can handle the agitation of a machine or if it requires a gentler touch. If you want to improve sleep naturally, keeping your sleep environment hygienic is a great first step.

If it’s a loose or moveable cover or if you can wash it in the machine, the tag contains all types of tips and guidelines. So take care of your blanket according to the instructions before moving forward. Let’s dive into the deep details of keeping your heavy companion clean.

How to Wash a Weighted Blanket: Determining Your Method

Before you start, you need to understand that not all weighted blankets are created equal. The method you choose depends heavily on the weight of the blanket and the type of materials inside.

For instance, a 25 pound blanket might be too heavy for a standard home washer, while a 10 pound one might fit perfectly. Here you can learn how to wash a weighted blanket by hand and with the machine by following the few easy steps.

How to wash a weighted blanket in a machine

How you should wash your blanket and how many times you wash it depends on how you use your blanket. If you use your blanket every day or night, it’s best to wash it once a month.

This prevents the buildup of oils and odors that can become trapped in the fabric fibers. If you are an erratic user, you can wash it after every few months. You can begin the washing task with a good quality machine.

Usually, household machines have a weight limit and can take only 7 to 20 pounds at once. Using a machine that is too small can burn out the motor or cause the machine to “walk” across the floor during the spin cycle.

First, check your machine limit; if your blanket weight exceeds the limit, you must take it to a Laundromat where a higher volume of machines is available, or you can wash it by hand.

Commercial washers at laundromats are designed for heavy loads and often provide a more thorough clean for bulky items.

Knowing how to wash a weighted blanket depends on the type of blanket and its specific filling:

• No fillers: Some blankets use heavy layers of fabric rather than beads. These are the easiest to manage. Wash using cool or tepid water and dry at a moderate temperature.
• Blankets with artificial fillers: These usually contain glass beads or plastic poly-pellets. Wash with lukewarm water and dry on moderated heat.
• It’s a special instruction for those blankets filled with plastic beads that can melt if you dry them under high heat.
• If the beads melt, they can clump together and ruin the weighted distribution.
• Blankets with natural fillers: Please check the filling of your blanket; if your blanket is filled with natural products like rice, sand, and organic beads, it is not ready to get wet. Water can cause natural fillers to rot or grow mold.
• You may need to use some other method, such as spot cleaning or professional dry cleaning.
• Removable cover: If your blanket is covered with a removable cover, you can remove it and wash it as a simple blanket.
• This is the most convenient option because you only have to wash the inner weighted part occasionally.

Use very eco-friendly, soft, and light washing powder to wash your weighted blanket and maintain the blanket’s softness. Avoid harsh chemicals that can break down the fibers or irritate your skin while you sleep.

If you have sensitive skin, you might want to learn how to take care of pasty skin to ensure your laundry habits aren’t causing irritation.

How to wash a Weighted Blanket by hand

For the gentle and soft stuff of the blanket, it’s best to wash it by hand. This method provides the most control and ensures that the seams aren’t under too much stress from a machine’s agitation.

It will make it life-long and keep it clean for a long time. However, be prepared for a bit of a workout, as a wet weighted blanket is extremely heavy.

But if you’re fed up with the fray or find hand washing too physically demanding, rinsing it in the machine and dryer on the gentlest settings is better than not cleaning it at all. If you choose the manual route, follow these steps:

• First, tackle the blanket’s stains and spots by dipping them into lukewarm water, then put a little bit of washing detergent on it and rub it with a cloth or sponge. This pre-treatment is vital for areas near the face where oils accumulate.
• Fill half the bathtub with cold or lukewarm water and drop a cup of washing detergent. Make sure that your bathtub must be clean before you start. You don’t want to transfer grime from the tub to the blanket.
• Dip the blanket into the bathtub and smoothly rub the stained parts of the blanket together. Use a kneading motion, similar to kneading dough, to work the soapy water through the weighted pockets. When you have rubbed all the stained parts, put it into the water to soak for 10 to 15 minutes, then rub it again.
• Empty the tub and wash the blanket continuously with fresh water so the water getting off of it isn’t foamy. This might take several rinses to ensure all soap residue is gone.
• Smoothly drive the water out of the blanket by pressing down on it against the bottom of the tub, but don’t twist or wring it. Twisting can cause the internal beads to shift or tear the inner lining.
• Place it even to dry (do not drape it up). Because the blanket is huge and complex, this isn’t going to be a swift-drying method, so choose a place that occupies sunlight within a window, is close to a heat source, or has proper air passage.
• If you hang it, the weight will pull the filling to one side, potentially stretching the fabric permanently.

The Drying Method: Ensuring No Moisture Remains

It may be surprising to know how fast and quickly a weighted blanket can dry up because blanket stuff doesn’t absorb water for so long if it’s made of synthetic materials. However, cotton or wool versions will take longer.

It doesn’t require anything other than the low-heated rounds in a dryer machine. Always check the dryer lint filter halfway through, as these blankets can shed quite a bit of fluff.

You can expand your weighted blanket on a clean surface to air dry for the hand wash method. This method is usually suggested to those who live far from the city or have ample outdoor space, but avoid this if you live in rainy areas or high humidity.

Moisture trapped inside the beads can lead to a musty smell that is very hard to remove. To keep your home environment healthy while drying, you might also want to look into how to get rid of paint smell or other indoor odors.

Critical Mistakes: Avoid These Things When Washing

Before learning how to wash a weighted blanket, you must know what can ruin it. Mistakes during the cleaning process are the leading cause of weighted blankets losing their effectiveness or “hugging” quality.

Fabric Softener: While it sounds like a good idea for comfort, fabric softener reduces the blanket’s softness over time by coating the fibers in a waxy residue.

It’s not recommended if your blanket is furry, minky, or velveteen. These materials are designed to be soft on their own, and chemicals can actually make them feel stiff or “slimy.”

Hot Water: Don’t use extremely hot water to wash your blanket. Hot water can weaken the fabric’s integrity and cause certain fillers, like plastic pellets, to lose their shape.

It also affects the color of the blanket, leading to premature fading. You can use lukewarm and warm water because it’s suitable for breaking down oils without damaging the structure.

Bleach: Use a suitable, mild detergent. Even if you have many spots and stains on the blanket, don’t use bleach because bleach damages the blanket’s fibers and can cause the weighted pockets to leak. For tough stains, try a vinegar and water solution instead.

Ironing: Don’t iron the blanket because the heat from an iron badly damages the blanket’s tissues quickly and can melt internal synthetic fillers. Weighted blankets are meant to be functional, not perfectly crisp. If it’s wrinkled, the weight of the blanket will naturally pull the wrinkles out once it’s laid flat.

Tips for Daily Maintenance

To reduce the frequency of full washes, consider these daily habits. First, always use a duvet cover. It is much easier to wash a cotton cover once a week than it is to wash a 15 pound blanket once a month.

Second, spot clean immediately. If you spill coffee or a snack, use a damp cloth and mild soap to lift the stain before it sets into the weighted plys.

Third, give it a good shake. Every morning when you make your bed, give the blanket a gentle shake to redistribute the beads. This prevents “thin spots” from forming where the weight is uneven.

If you are someone who likes to stay organized, check out our guide on building a healthy daily routine to include blanket care in your morning habits.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I put a 20 pound weighted blanket in my washer?

It depends on your machine’s capacity. Most standard home washers can handle up to 15 or 20 pounds, but it puts a lot of strain on the motor. If your blanket feels like it’s pushing the limits, it is safer to use a commercial washer at a laundromat or wash it in a bathtub.

How often should I wash my weighted blanket?

If you use it every night without a top sheet or duvet cover, aim for once a month. If you use a cover, you can wash the inner blanket every 3 to 6 months. Frequent washing can wear out the seams, so only wash when necessary.

Why does my weighted blanket smell after washing?

This usually happens if the blanket didn’t dry completely. If moisture is trapped near the beads, it can develop a mildew smell. Ensure it is dried on low heat for a long duration or air-dried in a well-ventilated, sunny area.

Can I dry clean a weighted blanket?

Check the care tag first. Some blankets with specific synthetic fillers or delicate fabrics require professional dry cleaning. However, many manufacturers advise against it because the chemicals can sometimes degrade the internal beads.

What detergent is best for weighted blankets?

Use a mild, liquid detergent that is free of bleach and fabric softeners. Gentle “clear and free” detergents are usually the best choice to preserve the fabric and prevent skin irritation.

Conclusion

If you are trying to learn how to wash a weighted blanket, the most important step is to read the instruction tag and follow the instruction provided by the manufacturer.

Every blanket is unique, and what works for a glass-bead blanket might ruin one filled with organic materials. Usually, blankets should be washed using cold water on a gentle cycle to preserve the stitching and the fillers.

If your blanket has a removable cover, you can remove the cover and separately wash the actual cover to save time and energy.

This is the most efficient way to keep your bedding fresh without the heavy lifting. For those without a cover, using the bathtub and detergent is a reliable hand wash method to ensure a deep clean.

Let your blanket air dry on a flat surface to maintain its shape, or use a low perspective on your drier to evade falling or clumping.

By following the instructions mentioned above and avoiding anything that harms your blanket, you can enjoy the therapeutic benefits of your weighted blanket for years to come. Sweet dreams and happy cleaning!