Can i wash weighted blanket in washing machine

Regarding materials, if it contains glass, plastic, or steel beads—or is a chunky knit weighted blanket—it is machine washable. However, if the fillers in the blanket are rice, beans, or grains, then dry cleaning is the best option.

Spot clean often

Spot cleaning can help to remove spills and stains—and it’s often the method recommended by our experts. “We suggest spot cleaning your blanket when possible to save water and energy, and I highly recommend cold water or warm water—but not hot water—and a gentle soap,” Grojean says. 

Also, Danielson recommends scrubbing the stain with an old rag or toothbrush, using gentle detergent or stain removers and warm water.

Mehrotra agrees, adding you could also use any type of brush with soft bristles, but warns against using fabric softeners and bleach, which could damage the product.

Machine wash if you can

Sometimes, spot cleaning is not enough and you really need to clean the entire blanket. When you need to wash the weighted blanket in the machine, Grojean recommends washing the blanket alone, or with a very small load. (To be on the safe side, both Danielson and Mehrotra both advise washing it alone—especially if it’s a chunky knit weighted blanket.)

Be sure to use a gentle cycle since this wash cycle can to help to extend the weighted blanket’s lifespan and preserve its durability.

You should also use a gentle laundry detergent. “Choose one that does not contain harmful chemicals, like bleach, chlorine, and fabric softener, that can damage your blanket’s fabric, which can result in pilling or cause the blanket to lose its softness,” Danielson says.

Be careful with weighted blankets with covers

Some people use a duvet cover on their weighted blanket. If you fall in this category, Grojean recommends removing it so the weighted blanket can be washed separately. Otherwise, you’ll run the risk of overfilling the machine.

Dry the weighted blanket

How you dry your weighted blanket is just as important as how you wash it. “Most weighted blankets can be dried in the dryer on a low heat setting,” Grojean says. “Keep an eye on them because they may dry much faster than you’d expect as the weighted filling made of glass beads does not retain moisture.” 

While Danielson agrees that you should use the low heat setting on the dryer, she also believes that air-drying is the safest bet—especially if the blanket has metal beads or chains. Be sure to wring out the excess water first.

But if you have a chunky knit weighted blanket, Mehrotra does not suggest hanging it to air dry, since this process may stretch out the loops. So, you should only tumble dry the piece on low.

How frequently do you need to wash your weighted blanket?

So, how often should you launder your weighted blanket? “This is typically a matter of personal preference, and Danielson says the decision should be based on how heavily the blanket is used and if it has become soiled in any way. “Our recommendation is always to maintain hygiene with sleep or comfort products to keep your home fresh,” she says.

But if you need more specific guidance, Mehrotra offers the following advice. “If you use your weighted blanket daily, then we recommend washing it once per month.” However, if you only use it occasionally, Mehrotra says four to six times a year should be fine.  

A weighted blanket is the talk of the town because of its innumerable benefits. Starting from helping with anxiety to stress and also insomnia, and how to forget the extreme comfort it gives - you don’t feel like waking up. But imagine the sweat, oil, dust, and whatnot the blanket draws. It’s time you wash that weighted blanket of yours - but you don’t know how to wash a weighted blanket! 

Worry not; we have got you covered with step-by-step instructions on how to clean a weighted blanket. Can you wash a weighted blanket similarly to a regular blanket? No! There are specific instructions and guidelines that every weighted blanket carries. The washing and caring details are given in the manual itself.

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How to Wash a Weighted Blanket

We don’t leave any stone unturned in our sleep regime - pillows, comforters, silk sheets, eye masks, and it continues. Similarly, a weighted blanket is also a great addition to your bedroom essentials. But the main struggle starts when it comes to washing a weighted blanket - it is pretty complicated. Imagine throwing a 25-pound blanket into the washing machine just like that - you will probably go mad considering the heft.

The best way to wash a weighted blanket is to be specific with the care instructions provided with the weighted blanket. The washing technique depends wholly on the fill and the fabric material.  

Step 1: Consider the Bulk of your Weighted Blanket

The method of how to wash a weighted blanket depends significantly on the bulk. If your blanket weighs 20 pounds or more, it should be taken to the laundromat and washed in a commercial-sized machine. However, let’s not put the hefty blanket in your home machine as it will only offer wear and tear.

Step 2: Track it Up by Following Care Instructions for Machine Washing

If your blanket measures 15 to 20 pounds, you can wash your blanket simply in the comfort of your home. Just put it in a gentle mode, mild detergent, and cold water. Blankets comprising glass microbeads and plastic Poly pellets generally are safe in the machine. However, frequent washing of the blankets is never recommended; therefore, fixing a removable duvet cover is a great substitute. 

Step 3: Check if you Require Spot Cleaning

An important step in knowing how to wash a weighted blanket is to be aware of whether you need to wash it all or simply spot cleaning would do. Use a mild soap, detergent, or stain cleaner for spot cleaning. Then proceed by drying it with cold or warm water and air drying. If you have a duvet cover, get it rolling by washing and drying only after following the care instructions. 

Step 4: Mandatory Washing Instructions Both for Machine and Hand

Coming to the main part of how to wash a weighted blanket if it needs complete cleaning. You can do it either in the washing machine or using your own hands. The mandates are mild detergent, cold or warm water (max) because specific weighted blankets cannot handle the hot water and might wear out pretty early because of the rigorous rinsing. So here is the deal about drying a weighted blanket: lay it out smoothly and keep on shaking it repeatedly.

Step 5: What Not To Use While Washing a Weighted Blanket

If you wish to remove some oil or grease stains, then pretreat it with a mix of dish soap and water. You must never use fabric softeners, bleach, hot water, iron, and more. It will rip off the goodness of your costly weighted blanket. While fabric softeners tend to amplify and result in a scratchy texture, on the other hand, bleach can conk out the fibers over time.

How to Machine Wash a Weighted Blanket

The evergreen dilemma about whether to use warm or cold water while washing the weighted blanket in the washing machine can be resolved by checking the heaviness and fabric of the blanket. The easiest way to find it is to check the blanket’s care instructions. Since most weighted blankets are made of cotton with poly pellets, the following are steps on how to wash them:

• Fill in the laundry counter with your preferred laundry detergent
• Place your pretreated weighted blanket into the machine
• Press the gentle cycle and see your blanket getting washed
• Instantly remove the weighted blanket once your washing is complete

How to Hand Wash a Weighted Blanket

You may own a blanket that is not suitable for machine washing. In that case, follow the oldest and the most sustainable method- hand washing. You need to know how to wash a weighted blanket by hand because the washing approach will be under your control. 

• Fill in the bathtub or any preferred water container with cold or warm water
• Follow it up by disseminating the laundry detergent exhaustively
• Throw the pretreated weighted blanket into the water 
• Start kneading the blankets using your hands
• After the passage of some minutes, replace the water with fresh water
• Place the drenched weighted blanket in the drying area
• Wring out any excess water
•  

Weighted Blanket Care Instructions for Different Fabrics

The fabric of a weighted blanket differs from cotton to flannel and many more. Each has specific care instructions; let us delve into the facts.

• Cotton:

  Wash cotton weighted blankets separately in cold water. Don’t put other cotton items while washing it since it may distress the fabric. To retain the color, mix ½ cup of vinegar with chlorine-free detergent.

• Flannel:

  Quite a popular choice for weighted blankets because of its sensory-sensitive factor; flannel can be washed in cold or warm water but never hot water as it will wear out pretty quickly. Tumble dry the blanket in your house washing machine on low heat.

• Fleece:

  Fleece blankets can be washed in warm water. To remove stains, soak the blanket in the machine for about 45 minutes before proceeding with washing. Use a mild detergent, though fleece can also endure fabric softener. Dry it out on a dryer on low heat, or preferably air drying.

• Minky:

  One of the bestseller materials for weighted blankets, minky can be washed with non-chlorine bleach diluted in the water. No usage of hot water or even high heat settings as Minky is a polyester material that can’t survive the heat.

• Rayon-Linen Blend

  This material needs to be dry cleaned separately, and air-dried.

• Silk:

  Though relatively uncommon for a weighted blanket, silk blankets need to be only dry cleaned.

• Wool:

  
  Use mild-detergent, cold or warm water, and a low or medium dryer.

Washing Instructions for Different Filler Materials

Weighted materials comprise diverse filler materials, and each needs to be washed precisely. 

• Micro Glass Beads

  Washable in warm or cold water and tumble dried at low temperature

• Sand:

  You cannot thoroughly wash the sand out of the weighted banker but only spot clean with the aforementioned washing mix

• Plastic Poly Pellets:

  Only washable in cold water, then air dry by spreading the blanket smoothly in a well-ventilated area

• Steel Shot Beads:

  Hand wash only in mild detergent and cold or warm water then air dry by spreading the blanket out

• Organic Fillers like Beans and Rice:

  Not washable, only spot clean

How Often Should You Wash a Weighted Blanket?

If you use the weighted blanket regularly, you might need to wash it every three weeks or whenever you feel it's dirty. On the other hand, if you are not a recurring user of the weighted blanket, then washing it every three to four months will be perfect. Moreover, you can save yourself the struggle of washing it by purchasing a removal duvet.

How to Remove Stains From a Weighted Blanket

Coffee stains 

• Mix one ounce of liquid laundry detergent and one ounce of distilled white vinegar with 10 ounces of vinegar.
• Put it on the stain
• Scrub it with a washcloth or toothbrush
• Keep the solution on for 5 to 10 minutes
• Rinse it with water
• Keep repeating till the stain disappears

Red Wine Stains 

• Apply 2 ounces of distilled white vinegar to the stain and let it sit for 5-10 minutes
• Blot the stain first with a wet towel and then with a dry towel
• If the stain is not resolved by vinegar, apply enzyme stain removal. Apply the stain remover on the stain, keep it for 30 minutes, then blot with a wet towel.
• Once the stain starts dissipating, start washing it with cold water

Urine stains 

• For urine stains that have not yet set in, wash with soap and water
• An enzyme laundry stain removal needs to be put on the stain or diluted in the washing machine for set-in stains.
• If the pungent smell still persists, repeat the process

Blood Stains 

• Put hydrogen peroxide over the bloodstain or rub bar soap 
• Scrub it in cold water
• Apply pre-treater or rub in laundry detergent
• Wash the remaining stain in warm water 

Nobody wishes to sleep in a messed-up environment and a dirty weighted blanket of that sort. Now that you know how to wash a weighted blanket, half your work is done. It is time you start rolling!

This article is for informational purposes and should not replace advice from your doctor or other medical professional.

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