This Is How You Should Wash Your Weighted Blanket

washing a weighted blanket

Weighted blankets have become increasingly popular over the past five years or so, and last November I noticed that they were one of the hottest bedding items on sale for Black Friday! If you’ve gotten one yourself recently, you may have found yourself wondering how to keep it clean.

If that’s the case, you’ve come to right place! :-) I’ve put together a helpful guide that will cover everything you need to know about how to wash a weighted blanket and avoiding potential pitfalls while doing so.

So let’s jump right in, shall we? :-)

washing a weighted blanket

What Is A Weighted Blanket?

Just as a quick overview for the unfamiliar, weighted blankets (sometimes called anxiety blankets) are meant to relieve stress and anxiety by providing gentle, calming pressure on the body. Most weighted blankets contain glass beads or plastic pellets for added weight, while some have extra layers of fabric as well.

Related: How to Wash an Electric Blanket

There’s no one type of weighted blanket, which means there’s no one way to keep them clean! The best way to wash a weighted blanket will depend on several factors, like how heavy it is, what fabric it’s made of, and what it’s filled with.

washing a weighted blanket

Can I Wash My Weighted Blanket?

The simplest answer is, “Probably!” But there are a few things to consider before tossing your weighted blanket into your washing machine. First and foremost: check the tag to make sure yours is a washable weighted blanket, and to make note of any care instructions.

Another consideration is weight. If your blanket weighs more than 20-25 pounds, you may want to take your blanket to a laundromat where you can wash it in a bulky commercial washing machine. While you may be able to wash it in your home washing machine, such a heavy blanket may put more stress on your machine’s motor than you’d like.

If your blanket weighs less than 20 pounds, your washing machine can probably handle it fine. (But you may not want to wash any weighted blanket at home if you have a top-loading machine with an agitator, as the agitator could damage or tear the blanket.)

washing a weighted blanket

How To Wash A Weighted Blanket

The basics of washing a weighted blanket are simple:

  1. Always wash your weighted blanket by itself.
  2. Wash with cold water on a gentle cycle, using a mild detergent.
  3. Don’t use bleach or fabric softeners.

Once you take it out of the washing machine, there are a couple of different options for drying your blanket. If your blanket has glass or plastic poly pellets, toss it in your dryer on low heat. If your blanket is filled with metal beads, chains, or other types of fillers (or if you don’t know what it’s filled with), air drying is the safest way to go.

The best way to air dry your weighted blanket is to lay it out flat. This will help prevent the filler from getting bunched up on one end of the blanket. As for ironing, don’t do it (regardless of weight, fabric, or filler!)

washing a weighted blanket

Adjustments For Special Materials

  • Cotton – Cotton weighted blankets are the easiest to wash, because there aren’t any special rules or adjustments necessary!
  • Minky/Faux Fur – As intimidating as minky or faux fur material can be, it’s actually quite easy to wash! Just follow all the same tips outlined above: machine wash alone, cold water, mild detergent.
  • Linen Blends – If your blanket is made with a linen-rayon blend, your safest bet is to take it to your local dry cleaner. Other linen blends can be washed in cold water, with diluted non-chlorine bleach or oxygen bleach as a stain remover.
  • Fleece – Fleece weighted blankets are typically the hardiest, and can handle warm water washes and low-heat dry cycles. It’s also one of the few materials that can handle a dryer sheet or fabric softener in the dryer.
  • Organic/Unusual Fillers – If your weighted blanket has an organic filler, such as beans, rice, or corn, or an unusual filler like sand, you’ll probably want to avoid getting it wet altogether. Dry cleaning only!
washing a weighted blanket

2 Bonus Cleaning Tips For Weighted Blankets

1. Use A Duvet Cover

After washing your weighted blanket, consider adding a duvet cover to it. Then in the future you can wash the duvet cover as needed (which is much easier than washing the entire blanket!)

2. Spot Clean As Needed

If you just have a spot or spill that needs to be addressed, skip the full wash and do a spot cleaning instead! Grab a gentle detergent, some cold water, and a soft bristle toothbrush.

Add a small amount of detergent to the stain, then dampen your toothbrush with the water and start scrubbing gently. “Rinse” the area by dabbing it with a clean, wet cloth. Continue scrubbing and rinsing until the stain is gone.

Do you have a favorite weighted blanket?

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Jill Nystul (aka Jillee)

Jill Nystul is an accomplished writer and author who founded the blog One Good Thing by Jillee in 2011. With over 30 years of experience in homemaking, she has become a trusted resource for contemporary homemakers by offering practical solutions to everyday household challenges.I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

About Jillee

Jill Nystul

Jill’s 30 years of homemaking experience, make her the trusted source for practical household solutions.

About Jillee

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