How to Wash a Weighted Blanket At Home

Weighted blankets are a major trend right now and have proven to be highly beneficial in reducing stress, sleepless nights, and anxiety.

Weighted blankets are expensive, which makes them a valuable asset that should be well taken care of. To take care of it, the blanket should be washed regularly to keep away from dirt and microorganisms that might interfere with the durability of the weighted blanket.

However, getting a weighted blanket that perfectly matches your needs is challenging, but washing and taking care of it is another thing that's a little bit more challenging. Learning how to wash a weighted blanket is a crucial part of owning one.

Some weighted blankets are easier to clean, with some being machine washable, and others can only be hand washed. Keep reading to understand how to wash a weighted blanket in these simple steps.

Factors To Consider Before Washing a Weighted Blanket

1. Fabric/Material

The different types of fabric that weighted blankets have, include;

• Cotton-Cotton blankets can both be machine-washed and hand wash. For machine washing, ensure the temperatures are below 50 degrees celsius. You can use a non-chlorine detergent. Avoid placing it under direct sunlight or in a tumble dryer during drying.
• Wool-Cleaning by hand is recommended. Avoid using a dryer, instead, you can use a towel to dry before placing it out to dry.
• Minky- Can both be machine washed and hand-washed, but you have to wash it alone to avoid friction. You can use non-chlorine bleach, but you should avoid using a fabric softener.
• Flannel- Flannel weighted blankets can be hand-washed and used with washing machines. Use a gentle detergent and a gentle cycle in machine washing. You can both use a machine dryer or placed it under the sun.
• Fleece- Hand wash or machine wash a fleece blanket using a mild detergent alone to avoid abrasion. Avoid fabric softeners with fleece blankets, but you can air dry or use a machine dryer on low heat.

2. Weighted Blanket Fillers

There are many weighted blankets fillers, they include;

• Micro Glass Beads- They feel similar to salt crystals, and you can wash them in cold or warm water.
• Plastic Poly Pellets- They are round ABS plastic beads, so you should avoid high temperatures since they might melt and clump together.
• Steel shot beads- These are smooth and heavy steel balls. Please don't use a washing machine since they may reap off the fabric.
• Sand- Sand expands when wet and may make clumps when not dried properly. Avoid washing these weighted blankets frequently.
• Organic materials- They are not the best washable weighted blanket because they can easily decompose or have a bacteria infestation when wet. Examples include beans, rice, and corn.

3. Weight

Most weighted blankets are bulky and tend to have a lot of weight, so only wash weighted blankets with a weight of 20lbs and below. For blankets with a weight of above 20 lbs, you should take them to your local laundromat to avoid causing severe damage to your home washing machine.

Steps on How to Wash a Weighted Blanket

1. Deal with Stains

If your weighted blanket has stubborn stains, it is crucial to pretreat it, if not, then you can proceed to the next step. There are different ways you can use to pretreat your weighted blanket. They include;

• Using a Stain remover- Be very conscious when choosing the stain remover, bleach isn't recommended for most fabrics. This method is best used for liquid spill stains or body fluids like sweat. Gently scrub the stain out using a stain remover.
• Run cold water over- This is to remove any dirt that is matting the fabric. Avoid using hot water as it can set in the stain.
• Using soap- Gently scrub off the stain using soap but avoid soaps containing bleach. This method is best used for greasy stains.

2. Wash your Weighted Blanket

You will want first to determine the best way to wash your weighted blanket depending on the factors above and what the care tag says. Most people tend to use a washing machine for the weighted blanket’s duvet cover or blanket cover, but hand wash the blanket inside. However, this is entirely up to you and the material of your blanket.

• Machine washing- You can either do this in warm or cold water, depending on the type of fabric. However, you should use a mild laundry detergent and wash it using a light wash or a low-temperature setting. Avoid using your machine to wash very heavy weighted blankets of above 20lbs, and you can instead take them to your laundromat.
• Hand washing- Fill the bathtub or a big basin with clean water halfway, and then add a ½ cup of mild detergent, depending on the size of your blanket. Gently mix the water with the detergent, and once lathered properly, put the blanket in. Wash it thoroughly until you feel it's clean then, empty the tub and add clean water again to rinse. Repeat the rinsing process until you feel your blanket is free from soap.

3. Drying the Weighted Blankets

While washing and drying your weighted blanket, you should keep in mind it will be much heavier when it’s wet, so you might need help. Here are the two main ways in which you can dry your washable weighted blanket;

• Machine drying- Using a low to a medium setting, you can also run the weighted blanket or blanket cover through a tumble dry. You can also choose to throw in a dry towel to help fluff up the blanket.
• Air-dry your weighted blanket- While air drying, avoid hanging it over a clothesline because the fillers may disperse unevenly. It would be best to lay it out on a drying rack or an even and open surface. Turn it and shake it out after every thirty minutes to make sure the weight is evenly distributed.

Things To Avoid When Dry Cleaning Your Weighted Blanket

1. Avoid using hot water, either on the washing machine or while handwashing, because it may be a bit too harsh on most fabrics.
2. Depending on the fabric, bleach can be harmful, so you should avoid using it.
3. A fabric softener should be avoided because it may make your blanket feel stiff rather than cozy.
4. Avoid ironing your blanket because it can damage the fibers and fillers of the blanket.
5. Ignoring the care instructions on the care label.

Can you wash a weighted blanket weekly? How often do you wash a weighted blanket?

Most manufacturers recommended washing your weighted blanket at most four times a year because washing it weekly or monthly might interfere with the durability of the weighted blanket. However, if your blanket or bedding is dirty, dusty, and smelly, you can't really avoid washing it.