Special things have special requirements. One such unique thing is your weighted blanket. You just cannot throw your weighted blanket into the washing machine. It is different from your usual blanket hence, some particular requirements. You must be wondering if you cannot just throw it in your machine, then how to wash a weighted blanket?
A weighted blanket is comparatively heavier than your regular blankets. Moreover, some of them also have glass beads or plastic pellets inside. Those can harm your washing machine. But, don’t worry! This blog will take you through the steps of washing a weighted blanket without damaging it or your washing machine.
You can check out our blog if you want to know more about a weighted blanket and its benefits.
How to Wash a Weighted Blanket?
Before washing a weighted blanket, you should make some considerations. After all, you have to be cautious so that you don’t regret it later.
Checking the manufacturer’s care instructions is the first step. All blankets don’t have the same requirements. So, let’s not play the guessing game here.
Your manufacturer gives clear instructions on what you can and can’t do with your weighted blanket. For instance, they will tell you whether you can machine wash your blanket or not. Your blanket needs to be washed with either warm water or cold water. So, if you ignore the care instructions, you might damage your blanket. Who knows, even your washing machine can get hampered.
Now, check the weight of your blanket. If it is over 12 pounds, take it to the laundry where there are machines suitable for heavy loads.
If you can wash your weighted blanket at home, you will need a stain remover, a mild detergent, and dish soap.
Pretreat Your Weighted Blanket
Before you proceed to wash the blanket, pretreat it to remove stains with ease. Rub a few drops of dish soap and water on the stains. Then scrub till the stain becomes lighter. You can proceed to wash your weighted blanket when there are no more stains.
Avoid bleach and fabric softeners while cleaning your weighted blanket. They can be harsh on the fabric and even fade its color. Moreover, do not wash your blanket in hot water as it will be rough on the fabric.
How to Machine Wash a Weighted Blanket?
Check the manufacturer’s label to make sure you can wash your weighted blanket in a washing machine. If it is machine washable, follow these steps-
- Use cold or warm water depending on the fabric. But never use hot water since it can make the fabric rough.
- Use a bleach-free, mild laundry detergent.
- If there are stains on the blanket, you can spot clean it with dish soap and a toothbrush.
- Choose the light wash setting in your machine.
- If the weighted blanket is over 12 pounds, take it to a laundry where there is a commercial washing machine.
Washing a weighted blanket in the washing machine becomes easy if you follow all these instructions.
How to Hand Wash a Weighted Blanket?
The best way to wash a weighted blanket is by hand. That way you don’t have to worry about messing up with your machine or damaging the fabric.
Follow these simple steps to make your blanket sparkling clean.
- Fill your bathtub halfway with clean cold or warm water depending on the fabric.
- Add about a cup of mild laundry detergent to the water. Yes, it should be free of bleach.
- Mix it in the water till lather forms.
- Now soak your blanket in the water for some time.
- Wash it gently with your hands.
- After washing, empty the tub and fill it up with clean water. Now rinse your weighted blanket in it.
- Repeat this process till the blanket is free of soap.
- Gently wring out the excess water from your blanket.
There you go. Your blanket is clean and ready to dry now.
How to Dry a Weighted Blanket?
Before drying a weighted blanket, check the manufacturer’s label for instructions. How you dry your blanket depends on how much heat it can withstand.
Most blankets require low heat settings for drying. Too much heat can damage your blanket’s fabric. When you are drying your blanket in a machine, you can throw in a dry towel to fluff it up.
You can also air dry a weighted blanket. For that, you have to place the blanket over a well-ventilated structure. Make sure you keep your blanket horizontally so that its weight gets distributed evenly.
Shake or flip your blanket occasionally to prevent the filling from clumping.
Weighted Blanket Care Instructions for Different Fabrics
Different fabrics have different requirements. Here is what you should keep in mind.
Cotton
It is super easy to wash your cotton weighted blanket. Just throw it in your washer on a moderate cycle. Remember to use cold water to maintain the softness of your fabric.
You can use your usual mild laundry detergent. After washing, dry it in your machine or hang it in a well-ventilated area.
Flannel
You can follow the same instructions as cotton for washing your flannel blanket. However, make sure you follow the care instructions on the manufacturer’s label.
Use warm or cold water for best results. You can set the washing machine on medium while washing and drying. Air-drying also works perfectly fine.
Wool
You can’t wash a woolen weighted blanket in your machine. So, you have to hand wash it to protect the fabric.
Gently hand wash the blanket in cold water and hang it in the open to dry.
Silk
It is rare to find a silk weighted blanket. However, if you have one, you can't wash it. You will have to get it dry cleaned.
If there are stains on your blanket, remove them first Then you can send it to the laundry for dry cleaning. Trying to wash your silk blanket at home might damage it.
Rayon-Linen Blend
Rayon is not as durable as cotton. So, washing it by machine can lead to wear and tear.
If your weighted blanket is made of a blend of rayon and linen, you have to wash it by hand. Use warm or cold water and wash gently. You can then lay it on a flat surface to dry.
Fleece
Fleece blankets are super durable. Thus, it is easy to wash them in a machine.
You have to wash your fleece blanket in warm water and dry it on a low heat setting. Guess what? It can also withstand fabric softeners. But, remember to follow the instructions on the manufacturer’s care label.
Minky
Minky fur blankets have a luxurious look. But they require low maintenance. You can easily wash them in your machine.
Choose the gentle cycle and use warm or cold water. However, remember to wash your Minky blanket alone. The friction with other clothes might harm your blanket’s fabric.
Read our blog to know about the other different types of blankets.
How Often Should You Wash a Weighted Blanket?
How often you should clean a weighted blanket depends on how much you use it.
If you use it regularly, wash it once every two or three days. However, if you don’t use it daily, you can wash your weighted blanket once every three to four months.
Washing a weighted blanket too often can affect the fabric and reduce its durability. So, wash it only when dirt, dust, and sweat accumulate on it.
How to Remove Coffee Stains From a Weighted Blanket?
Removing coffee stains from your weighted blankets is now made super easy with these steps.
- Mix some liquid detergent with an ounce of distilled white vinegar
- Add some water to make a solution
- Apply it on the stain and keep for sometime
- Now rub it gently with a brush to watch the stain disappear
How to Remove Red Wine Stains From a Weighted Blanket?
Don’t worry if you have coloured your weighted blanket all wine red. Follow these simple steps to clean it.
- Presoak the blanket in cold water with a cup of mild detergent for 45 minutes
- Rub the stains with a brush and dish soap
- When the stains become lighter, you can put the blanket in your machine for a regular wash.
If the stain is over a small area, you can spot clean it. Use a mild detergent and a toothbrush to get rid of the stains. Then put it in the washer for a regular wash.
How to Remove Urine Stains From a Weighted Blanket?
Your kid or pet might pee on your weighted blanket. Urine stains might be stubborn. But here are some easy steps to remove them.
- Mix an ounce of vinegar in some laundry detergent. Pour some warm water into it to make a solution.
- Pour the solution over the stain and rub it gently with a brush.
- Once the stains become lighter, you can wash your blanket in a machine.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to wash and dry a weighted blanket, you don’t have to worry about spills and stains. Make sure you wash your blanket at least once every few months to keep dirt, dust, and germs away. That will take care of your health and let you have a sound sleep at night.
If you are thinking of buying a new weighted blanket, read our blog to know how to choose the best weighted blanket. You can also bring home the Serenity weighted blanket to make your nights much cozier.
