How To Wash A Weighted Blanket With And Without A Washing Machine

For many, weighted blankets are a necessary part of designing the perfect bedroom for a good night's sleep. Since you use weighted blankets relatively frequently, in some cases daily, they tend to get dirty quickly. Unless the blanket is really heavy, you likely have more options than shelling out dollars on dry cleaning services. In fact, there's no single best way to wash a weighted blanket. How you tackle this cleaning challenge at home all depends on what kind of washing equipment and cleaning products you have access to, the weight of the blanket, and the materials the blanket is made of. We can, however, sort the methods into three broad categories: washing the blanket in your washing machine, hand washing it in a bathtub or large sink, and alternative options like taking it to the laundromat or buying a waterproof, wipe-clean blanket.

Experts advise people to wash their weighted blanket at least two or three times annually. If you use it every night or sweat significantly when you sleep, you might need to wash it every two weeks or so. Always check the manufacturer's instructions for dos and don'ts before attempting to clean a weighted blanket yourself. Often, whoever made your blanket will list cleaning and care instructions in the manual and on laundry tags sewn onto the blanket. If you can't find one, visit the company's website or drop them a message to ask. Check, too, for stains. These will need to be treated before washing the blanket, whether you're using a washing machine or not. Remove pet hair using a lint roller.

The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network staff are told to machine wash weighted blankets, so it must be okay, right? For one, they're almost certainly using huge commercial machines, not a residential fixture. Secondly, not all fabrics and fillers can handle machine washing. A blanket filled with glass beads and pebbles, for example, is hand wash-able only, as are Rayon-linen blends and silk and wool outers. Organic fillers like beans or grains should be spot cleaned only.

If your blanket doesn't fall into any of these categories and weighs less than 20 pounds, it's likely machine washable on a cold or cool, delicate cycle. If you have a bedding setting, use that. Add some mild, bleach-free laundry detergent. Fabric softener is somewhat controversial. Some experts say a little fabric softener is okay, while others suggest forgoing it. You can, however, safely add a quarter cup of vinegar to the load as a deodorizer. Run a second cold water rinse cycle after the first wash to get out the last stubborn suds.

Hang the blanket to dry flat on the ground. Shake it regularly to redistribute the filler evenly throughout the blanket. You can throw a tennis ball at it repeatedly, too! Popping the blanket in your dryer may shrink natural fibre blankets or melt the plastic pellets some products contain, but some fabrics survive the tumble just fine. If the care label says a dryer is okay, make sure you use a low heat setting andwool dryer balls, and stop the dryer periodically to fluff the blanket.

If you have to wash weighted blankets with glass beads on laundry day, for example, this super heavy bedding has the potential to put your washing machine out of balance. Using the lowest spin speed can help, as can stopping the washing machine to adjust the blanket a few times during the wash. Alternatively, you can opt for handwashing; you need a bathtub or large sink. Dump your blanket into the tub and cover it with cold, or at most tepid, water. Add a squirt of mild dish detergent, and soak for five minutes to one hour. Once the blanket is saturated, scrub it with a soft-bristled brush. Rinse with clean water and squeeze rather than wring the blanket to avoid deforming the blanket. Folding it in half first makes the process easier.

If your weighted blanket isn't that dirty, spot clean it. Combine mild detergent or dish soap and warm water. A colorless laundry soap bar also works well. Apply it to any grimy spots, then use a toothbrush, soft cloth, or sponge to release the stains from the fabric. Stubborn blemishes from natural ingredients can be treated with white vinegar, while oily stains require a degreaser. Rinse with fresh water. As with the washing machine method, hang the blanket flat to dry somewhere well ventilated. Be aware that it could take longer since you likely weren't able to squeeze out as much water from the blanket by hand as a spin cycle would. You could also try running a hairdryer set to low over the blanket to dry it faster.

If your blanket weighs over 20 pounds or hand and machine washing isn't recommended, there are other options. For example, TikToker @nowitsclean removes and machine washes the cover, steam cleans the inner blanket, and hangs both items to dry in front of a sunny window. Other solutions will, however, require you to contribute a little (or in some cases, quite a lot) more from your household budget. If you have access to a laundromat with large commercial washing machines and dryers, they're your best and cheapest option for getting your blanket clean. In some, albeit rare cases, the manufacturer of your weighted blanket may label it dry clean only. Curtains and drapes cost, on average, somewhere between $10 and $30 an item, so expect to pay that or more for someone to professionally launder a specialty bedding like a weighted blanket.

As mentioned, if your weighted blanket has a protective cover that buttons or zips closed, wash just that in your washing machine. Forgo washing the inner blanket altogether or just spot clean it. Consider, too, getting a second cover so you can switch them over between washes for ultra cleanliness. You could invest in one of the many waterproof, wipe-clean weighted blankets on the market. The hospital-grade Therapro Wipe-Clean™ Weighted Blanket (XL size) costs $369. Of course, some simple strategies can help extend the time between cleans: stow your blanket somewhere safe after using it, don't eat around it, keep pets off it (or clean up their hair immediately), treat stains when they happen, and don't wait to repair broken seams or holes.