Do you have a weighted blanket that’s seen better days?
Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. But before you go and toss your beloved blanket in the trash, hear us out.
We’re going to teach you how to wash your weighted blanket without damaging it – so it can be as good as new in no time!
Follow these simple steps and your weighted blanket will be looking and feeling amazing in no time! Plus, you won’t have to spend any extra money on a replacement – score!
How To Clean A Weighted Blanket?
Note: Always check the manufacturer instructions for the specific care instructions for your blanket (Either on the tag or manufacturer’s website)
If your blanket weighs more than 25 pounds, it needs to be washed in a commercial washing machine.
Washing a weighted blanket is not as simple as throwing it in the washing machine. The filling and fabric material can be easily damaged if not washed properly.
More specifically, washing a weighted blanket requires taking into account the type of filling used and the fabric material.
For example, if the blanket has plastic pellets as the filling, it is best to hand wash it in cold water with a mild detergent.
If the blanket has glass beads or sand as the filling, then it can be machine washed on a gentle cycle with cold water and a mild detergent.
However, it is important to avoid using bleach or other harsh chemicals when washing a weighted blanket.
Additionally, make sure to air-dry the blanket instead of using a dryer, as high heat can damage the fabric and insulation. That said, most weighted blankets are designed to withstand moderate dryer heat nowadays.
That said, we recommend hang-drying your heavy blanket to extend the life of the fabric and internal insulation.
Quick Guidelines On Cleaning Your Weighted Blanket
- If your weighted blanket has a cover, unzip it/unbutton it and remove it from the inner blanket.
- It always helps to refer back to the manufacturer’s instructions. Have a read of the washing instructions printed on the label (usually on the inner blanket). Try to follow the instructions wherever possible.
- Inspect your weighted blanket for visible stains or organic stains
- Try to rinse out those stains as soon as you can, to avoid them from setting in. However, if you didn’t get to it in time, you’ll just need to run the stain under cold water and apply some detergent and rub it off, then rinse with cold water.
- We recommend machine-washing in cold or warm water (depending on the severity of the stain). Try to avoid using detergents with bleach. DO NOT WASH IN HOT WATER. Also, make sure not to use fabric softeners for polyester covers.
- Make sure to check the load capacity of your washing machine. Make sure to use the preset “delicate or gentle” to keep your blanket in good shape. You can opt to hand wash heavier blankets as not to destroy your washing machine in the process.
- NEVER dry your blanket on HIGH heat. If you have to tumble dry it, do it on low heat. This is so that we retain the softness of the outer fabric, especially if it’s a Minky material. If you opt to hang it up to dry, make sure to dry the inner blanket horizontally, to ensure that the beads don’t bunch up with the batting inside and destroy the weight distribution. Give it a flip and shake every couple of hours until the blanket is dry.
Taking good care of your blanket will allow you to keep enjoying the comfort your blanket provides. The important part of taking care of your blanket is knowing what material it is made of.
Which Weighted Blanket Fills Are Wash-Friendly?
There are many different blankets fills in the market today. We’ll be covering the most common ones you can find, and compare them with other filling materials.
Micro Glass Beads – one of the top-quality choices for weighted blanket filling. These beads are small in size, and heat resistant. They’re a popular choice as they are virtually noiseless, making it ideal for light sleepers. You can also wash them at (slightly) higher temperatures as they don’t melt. Blankets with micro glass bead fills don’t clump up and dry easily after wash, making them one of the best materials to use in a weighted blanket.
Plastic Poly Pellets – Made from ABS virgin plastic, meaning that they haven’t been exposed to toxins or chemicals. That said, it’s best to wash them in cold water, as a higher temperature could run the risk of melting the pellets, making them clump together.
Steel Shot Beads – A great option for a non-bulky weighted blanket. However, they’re very heavy and generally not suited for the consumer washing machine. If you decide to take them to the laundromat for cleaning, make sure not to run them on “aggressive” programs, as the steel shot beads can easily rip apart from the fabric.
Smooth Small Pebbles – Popular amongst DIY blanket projects to keep costs low. You will most likely need to hand wash these types of weighted blanket as they don’t hold up well in a washing machine.
Organic Materials/Food – Organic materials may be more affordable, but you won’t be able to wash them at all. Washing a blanket that’s weighted with corn or rice can easily turn into a soggy mess. You risk getting mold, yeast, bacteria, and insect infestation if they get wet.
Sand – Similar to organic materials, sand is also a cheap filler option but comes with much the same problems. Sand-filled weighted blankets also run the risk of infestation, yeast and mold developing unless it’s been treated and processed. Ideally, you shouldn’t wash these blankets very often as they can easily clump up and cause uneven weight distribution.
How to clean a weighted blanket with specific stains
Have you ever noticed a stain on your T-shirt that never goes away after a wash and dry cycle?
If you have, that’s because you haven’t treated the stain directly before putting it through the washing machine.
Lucky for you, there are ways to treat nasty stains before it becomes permanently imprinted onto your blanket.
The following process will guide you through how you can easily remove the stains from your blanket before it becomes permanent.
For dirt stains – Run cold water over the stained spot to remove any excess dirt. Avoid using warm water as it could set the stain deeper into your blanket.
For liquid spills or sweat stains – Use a stain remover (bleach free). Make sure not to use bleach in this situation as most weighted blankets aren’t built to handle bleaching. Gently scrub the stain with your finger or a toothbrush.
For grease stains – this happens when you drop anything like pizza, pasta or anything oil based. Use soap (bleach free) and gently rub the stain out with your finger or a toothbrush.
Now that you’ve treated the stain directly, it’s time to put it through a wash cycle in the machine, or by hand washing it.
Depending on what the blanket care label says, you’ll want to determine the best method to wash your blanket.
Ways To Wash Your Weighted Blanket
You will want to keep your favorite blanket in tip-top condition, which means you will have to learn how to properly care for it during wash time.
Washing your weighted blanket is not difficult or time-consuming, a gentle machine wash in cold/warm water will do the trick most of the time.
Machine Washing Your Blanket
Follow the instructions on the care label. It will tell you whether you should wash your weighted blanket in cold or warm water depending on the type of fill in the blanket. Try and use a mild detergent (bleach-free) and run it through a light wash setting.
If your weighted blanket is too heavy for your washing machine to handle, consider taking it to a professional location with commercial machines to avoid messing up your expensive washing machine.
Hand Washing Your Blanket
If you have a bathtub at home or a bigger sink, fill it up with cold water. Add about ½ a cup of laundry detergent (bleach-free) to the water, the bigger your blanket, the more you’ll need.
Mix the water around until it’s lathered and then dunk the weighted blanket into the water. Make sure to wash it thoroughly, empty the tub and fill it up again with more clean water, then rinse and repeat the process until your weighted blanket is free of soap.
Ring out the excess water and you are now ready to dry your blanket.
How To Dry Your Weighted Blanket
Your weighted blanket will be much heavier when it’s wet. It’s best to air dry the blanket as not to damage the filler inside but if you have to, you can use a dryer machine on a low heat setting to dry it off evenly.
Machine Dry – make sure you’re using a low heat setting to tumble dry your blanket. You can also throw in a dry towel along with the blanket to help fluff up your blanket a bit.
Air Dry – Do not hang it over an old school clothing line, as it can cause the fills inside the blanket to disperse unevenly. Try to spread it out on a clean surface under the sun. Make sure to shake it out every hour to make sure the weighted blanket stays evenly distributed.
Can I Iron My Weighted Blanket?
Skip the ironing.
You may be tempted to iron out the wrinkles in your blanket after a wash, but we recommend never to do that as you risk damaging the filler materials by ironing it.
The best thing you can do is to leave it to air dry in the sun and the wrinkles will work themselves out soon enough.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
Will a weighted blanket break my washer?
A weighted blanket may break your washer however, it depends on a few things…
It all depends on the weight load capacity of your washing machine. If in doubt, bring it to the nearest laundromat and use a commercial washer. Avoid putting a steel shot pellet-filled weighted blanket into the wash as that will definitely break your washer.
How often should you wash a weighted blanket?
It is recommended to wash your weighted blanket around 3 to 4 times a year. However, spill accidents do happen, make sure to treat the stains directly and wash them immediately to get rid of the stains.
Is it bad to wash weighted blankets too often?
It can be damaging to wash your weighted blanket frequently, it can also damage your washing machine as well. To cut down on washing frequency, consider using a removable cover. If you desperately need to wash out a stain, consider spot cleaning using a soft brush and detergent.
Why does my weighted blanket smell bad?
Sometimes, it’s enough to just air the blanket out in order for it to smell like new. You can choose to air it outside or open up a window in the room for several hours to quickly refresh a heavy quilt.
Why is my weighted blanket lumpy?
Sometimes, your weighted blanket can become lumpy when the drying process is not done correctly. Make sure to dry it out on an open surface to prevent uneven distribution. Lumpy blankets could happen because the filler material has melted, so make sure not to use hot water or high heat when drying your weighted blanket.
