How to wash weighted blankets – A Complete Guide
The season for fluffy blankets has arrived! It is time to pack up the shorts and unpack all of our comfy winter items. Your cozy throws and blankets will eventually require a good wash, whether you choose to keep them draped over your sofa or on your bed. Your blankets require special attention before you toss them in with your laundry pile if you want to keep their fuzzy texture.
Like other pieces of clothing and bedding, blankets require routine cleaning. It is important to wash heavily used comforters and throw blankets at least once a year to prevent dust and other materials from accumulating. Under the proper conditions, most may safely wash blankets in a washing machine, but if you are unsure of the best way to clean your particular blanket, you can alternatively wash it by hand.
How Often Should Weighted Blankets Be Washed?
Regular use will determine how frequently you should wash your weighted blanket. If you use the blanket every night while sleeping, wash it once every few weeks to avoid accumulated sweat and body oils. Three to four cleanings a year should be sufficient if you only use your weighted blanket sometimes as a lap blanket on the couch or at a desk.
A weighted ted blanket’s feel and durability might be harmed by frequent washing. By spending money on a cover that can be quickly removed and washed, you might be able to extend the lifespan of your weighted blanket.
You should typically change a weighted blanket every five years. However, if you take good care of your weighted blanket, you could be able to use it even longer.
Things to keep in mind before washing Blankets
- Check the instruction tag on your weighted blanket to see if it should be machine washed before you do.
- Use a home washing machine on the delicate cycle, cool water, and mild detergent to wash blankets weighing less than 15 pounds. Bring your blanket to a laundromat to be washed in an industrial machine if it weighs more than 15 pounds. Leave the bleach and laundry softener behind.
- Whenever spills or stains occur, you may use a toothbrush soaked in warm water and mild detergent to spot-clean the blanket as necessary.
- It would be best if you dried the blanket in a dryer set to low heat. To ensure that the weighted blanket dries evenly, pause the cycle and fluff it up occasionally. Alternatively, you might let the blanket air dry on a spacious, dust-free surface.
Washing weighted blanket using machine
Pre-Treat Stains
Check the comforter for stains by laying it across your bed or table. To cure the stains, use a liquid stain remover. You may try using a hard liquid detergent with sufficient catalysts to break down stain particles so they can be washed away.
Use your fingertips or a soft cloth to apply the cleanser and work on the blanket. Before placing the blanket in the washer, let it sit on the spot for at least fifteen minutes.
Pro Tip
You can lay out the comforter, examine it, and apply it with the stained gel for up to a week before washing.
Select the Water Temperature and Washer Cycle
Choose the delicate or mild cycle, set the washer to the greatest load capacity, and use cold or warm water. Use a little less detergent than recommended because too much soap might leave the excess foam in the comforter’s fibers and therefore is difficult to remove.
Shake and dry the blanket
- Before putting the comforter in the dryer, give it a thorough shake to remove creases and guarantee equal drying.
- Tumble dry the comforter on a low heat setting. Once it has completely dried, remove it.
- Once the comforter has finished drying, carefully check it for any wet or moisture areas. You want the comforter to be completely dry to prevent damage.
- White comforters will look and smell better after being dried outside in the sun. Fresh air can also benefit colorful bedding, but keep it in the shadow to prevent fading.
How to Hand Wash weighted blankets
The blanket can be hand-washed by following these steps:
- Combine a gentle liquid detergent with cold water in a big plastic container, sink, or bathtub.
- Soak the blanket using soap and water. Give a half-hour soak.
- Take the blanket out of the water.
- To eliminate the extra moisture, compress a blanket with a fresh towel. The blanket could lose its shape if you wring it out.
- Fill the container, sink, or tub with fresh, cold water without any detergent.
- Submerge the blanket in water.
- Utilize a fresh, clean towel to press the blanket.
- The blanket can air dry by being hung up over the shower rod. You can even keep it outside, but be aware that sunlight may cause discoloration on some parts of the blanket.
Washing Heavy blankets with glass beads
Here's how you hand-wash a weighted blanket studded with glass beads:
- Use a frothy mixture of water and mild dish soap to clean your weighted blanket thoroughly.
- Add a mild, non-toxic detergent to the cool water in your bathtub.
- Drop your weighted blanket into the tub and swirl the water around it. If the blanket is dirty, you might want to soak it for half an hour.
- Lay straight to air dry.
But we also understand that there might be situations when you’re in a rush and want to throw the blanket in the washer and call it a day. So, can I wash a weighted blanket that has glass beads?
The answer is yes! Glass beads can resist high temperatures without changing their shape or compromising their quality, unlike plastic polymer granules that can be melted or burned at extreme temperatures.
Here's how to wash a weighted blanket filled with glass beads in a washing machine:
- Read the cleaning instructions and adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines. While the inside of some weighted blankets may only be hand-washed, the outside layer may be machine-washable.
- Check to ensure your weighted blanket doesn’t fill up your washing machine. Think about washing it with your hands if it weighs 20 pounds or more.
- Use a moderate spin or some other mode with a slow spin speed and a mild detergent when washing in cold water. Use neither bleach nor fabric softener.
- Lay flat to dry with air.
Care Instructions for Heavy comforters and Blankets
Heavy blankets and comforters should be kept in plastic storage containers or cotton or muslin bags. If at all feasible, store them in a closet, under your bed, or in a different room with temperature control. Avoid keeping your blankets in the attic or basement, where the humidity and temperature can change quickly. Wash the bedding to remove any oils and grime that could stain it before storing it. Before storing it, make sure it’s totally dry.
Additional tips to follow after-wash to avoid any funky odor
Use Essential Oils
Spray a mixture on your blanket, including a few droplets of your preferred essential oil. If the smell is still present, repeat after 15 minutes.
Use Baking Soda
Put a little baking soda on top of your blanket to eliminate a musty smell after washing it. Leave it for about fifteen minutes to settle, then use a portable vacuum cleaner to remove the grains.
Use Apple Cider Vinegar
Spray a blanket with a half cup of diluted apple cider vinegar in hydrogen peroxide or water after washing it and hanging it up to dry. It is advised to use this easy method to get rid of pet odors from your blankets.
Conclusion
Don’t allow your concern about washing gone wrong to stop you from relishing the season’s warm blankets! With the help of our reader-friendly tips in this blog, you may confidently pull out your blankets and drape them anywhere you like. We hope this blog will help you understand how to maintain the cleanliness of your blankets and how to use several simple techniques to make them appear brand new. With routine washing, drying, and careful treatment, your blanket can last up to five years to enjoy the lovely winter weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How to clean bamboo pillows?
A: Heavy comforter only needs to be washed once a year, except if it has been used during an illness or has something splashed over.
Q: Should I wash a heavy blanket in the washing machine at home?
A: Heavy blankets should be washable at home if you have a washer with a large capacity. Use the mild or delicate setting to wash it. If not, you should take it to a nearby laundry to be cleaned.
Q: Where should a heavy comforter be stored while not in use?
A: Keep your large blanket in a linen cupboard, a room closet, or some other dry space with a moderate temperature. For the easiest storage, fold the blanket into thirds, roll it up, and fasten it with a string or tie.
