How to Wash a Weighted Blanket: a Comprehensive Guide

Did you ever wonder how to wash a weighted blanket? You might think it is much more complicated to wash such blankets compared to the regular ones, but in reality, you will just need to do only a few extra steps. Luckily for you, in this article, we will instruct you how to wash a weighted blanket both by hand and using a washer, step-by-step. 

Blankets of this type can be really useful to people who are having trouble falling asleep. The extra weight from the filling causes the feeling of being hugged. The heavy inner material makes you sleepier and helps you fall asleep faster.

Since you are spending a great amount of time sleeping, the cover absorbs a lot of oil, sweat, and dust from your skin and clothes, and you need to wash it at least once every three to four months. The inside part of the blanket (i.e., the part with the filling) should be washed every six months.

Before You Start

Before you start washing, there are several things you will need to do. First, find the care label and check if the materials of the cover and filling are washable. In most cases they are, but it doesn’t hurt to be sure. You should also check whether the materials require a certain temperature and whether you need to avoid harsh chemicals. For example, a cover made of cotton requires no special care and can be washed at any temperature. On the other hand, if the filling is made of plastic pellets, you will need to use cold water. 

On the care label, you will also find the weight of the blanket. If it weighs more than 25 pounds, you will not be able to wash it in a standard household washing machine. You will need a commercial washing machine that is capable of handling the size and weight of heavier blankets. If you are not willing to pay extra for the larger washing machine and wish to save some money, you can wash the blanket by hand. Keep in mind that this can be a very labor-intensive job because of the weight, so take your time and keep in mind that you need to keep your back straight. Otherwise, you might hurt yourself.

You should avoid the harsher detergents and use the more gentle ones instead, even if the label doesn’t specifically say so. Also, just in case there are some leftover stains after you have washed the cover, you can apply stain remover and try removing them that way.

How to Wash a Weighted Blanket at Home

Now that you have made sure that the fabric of the cover is washable and know what chemicals and water temperatures you can use, you are ready to begin washing.

1. Separate the Cover

Most weighted blankets have a removable cover that is connected with either a zipper or buttons. In most cases, you won’t be washing the cover and the blanket itself at the same time, so it is best to separate them and wash them one at a time. The zipper or buttons can usually be found in the corner or along the shorter rim of the cover. 

2. Choose the Right Settings

Locate the care label and check which settings you should use on your washing machine or what type of water and chemicals you should use if you plan to hand wash. If you are having trouble finding the care label, you can always use cold water and a gentle wash cycle with a gentle detergent. When it comes to the drying cycle, it is better to avoid heat and just use air-dry. If you cannot find the care label, avoid using special chemicals like softeners and stain cleaners.

3. Choose the Washing Method

Our recommendation is to use a washing machine since it is much easier and requires less work, but if your washing machine isn’t large enough or you want to save water and electricity, you can also hand wash the blanket in your bathtub. 

If you choose to use a washing machine, load in the weighted blanket and use the recommended settings written on the care label and skip the next two steps.

4. Prepare the Bathtub

Before you start filling the bathtub, you should thoroughly clean it first. Scrub the whole bathtub to remove any unwanted particles that might otherwise stain the fabric. After you have made sure the bathtub is completely clean, you can turn the faucet on and pour in the water at the recommended temperature. Pour in a small amount of detergent (around 2 bottle caps) and stir it for a while to help it mix with the water.

5. Submerge the Cover/Blanket

Sink the cover/blanket into the water and make sure it is entirely submerged. Squeeze it and slowly move it through the water for at least fifteen minutes. After that, leave it to soak in the detergent for at least an hour.

Take it out of the bathtub and drain the dirty soap water. Refill the bathtub with new cold water and squeeze it for another fifteen minutes.  Drain the bathtub and repeat this process a few more times until there is no residual detergent left. 

After no soap bubbles are coming from the fabric, squeeze the water out. 

6. Drying Process

You should avoid using a drying machine because the heat can damage most of the types of filling in the weighted blankets. Instead, lay a large piece of nylon sheeting and spread the blanket across it. Make sure it is completely flat to prevent any wrinkles from forming since you will not be able to iron it. To speed up the drying process, you can lay dry rags and towels on top to soak up the moisture. 

It will take at least 24 hours for the water to evaporate, so make sure to flip the cover every five to six hours until it is completely dry.

If you have some unanswered questions and want to see an even more detailed step-by-step guide, you can watch this YouTube video:

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