Due to the potential advantages of weighted blankets for healthy sleep, their use has been more widespread recently. Some people find that wearing a weighted blanket during the night reduces their anxiety, discomfort, and insomnia.
It is certain that a weighted blanket you own will require cleaning. Generally speaking, blankets are susceptible to spills and dirt exposure and absorb body oils and sweat. Other blankets are not like weighted blankets. The cleaning procedure for them is a little different from that of other blankets because they are available in a range of weights and contain a variety of fillers and ingredients. Make sure you wash your weighted blanket properly whenever the time comes.
Our guide explains precisely how to wash a weighted blanket, with advice on how to handle various materials and get rid of stains quickly.
Why Use A Weighted Blanket
These hefty blankets, which can weigh anywhere from five to thirty pounds, are used to treat insomnia and ease anxiety.
A weighted blanket applies a light pressure that can soothe your nervous system and leave you feeling content and at ease. You can have a nice night’s sleep and fall asleep more quickly in this peaceful mood. However, because they’re so much heavier than your regular bedding, it might be challenging to decide how and when to wash them.
Cleaning A Weighted Blanket
You should read the manufacturer’s care recommendations before washing your weighted blanket, either on the label or on the brand’s website. Weighted blankets cannot be laundered as readily as conventional blankets because of their bulkier design. Before starting the washing process, make careful to familiarize yourself with the care recommendations for your specific blanket because they vary based on the type of fill and the fabric.
The first is how much real cleaning the blanket requires. If the blanket only requires spot cleaning, treat the spots with a mild soap, solution, or stain remover, rinse with warm or cold water, and allow the blanket to air dry. As soon as stains appear, clean them up right away to avoid them settling.
Washing A Weighted Blanket Made Of Different Materials:
Cotton
Cotton weighted blankets are easy to maintain and may endure multiple pieces of washing before showing any obvious signs of wear and tear, much like a cotton T-shirt. Use a regular wash cycle with cold water to wash a cotton weighted blanket.
Use a cup of vinegar or salt in your first wash to protect the color of your blankets and it also stops color bleeding.
Fleece
Weighted blankets made of fleece ought to be cleaned separately or with other fleece products.
Use warm water and a standard wash cycle to clean this kind of weighted blanket. Use a mild detergent and pre-soak the blanket for 45–1 hour to remove stains.
Unlike the majority of weighted blanket materials, a fleece blanket can be treated with fabric softener.
Flannel
A flannel weighted blanket can be cleaned by washing it in cold or warm water with a mild detergent and then tumble-drying it on low heat.
Remove the blanket from the dryer as soon as possible. Allowing it to remain in the heat can cause the fibers to overdry and weaken the fabric.
Blended linen
Weighted blankets made of a linen blend come in a variety of styles. You should wash your blanket in a typical washing cycle with cold water for the majority of linen mixes.
One should consider hand washing the blanket if it is made of a rayon-linen blend, or have it dry cleaned. Dry cleaning is recommended since washing the fabric could cause it to shrink or bleed.
To find out what kind of linen your blanket is made of, always check the label and washing directions.
Washing A Weighted Blanket – Steps By Step Guide
1) Detach the Outer Cover
Many weighted blankets include a removable duvet-style cover. Before removing the cover, interior knots are frequently present and should be loosened. Only the cover will require routine washing unless there has been a liquid spill or urine accident.
The weighted blanket and cover should be washed separately.
2) Determine the Fabric’s Fiber Content
To make informed cleaning decisions, regardless of whether the covering is detachable, you need to be aware of the fiber composition.
3) Laundering Process
If the blanket has a stain but otherwise appears clean and smells good, you might be able to spot treat the stain rather than cleaning the entire blanket. If you do need to fully clean the blanket, it should be washed alone using the recommended temperature of the water, loop, and detergent for the fabric type.
4) Getting Ready for Handwashing
If you are hand washing the blanket, be sure there are no items or impurities in the tub that could stain the fabric. Add the suggested detergent after adding cold or lukewarm water to the tub.
When it comes to detergent or wool wash, less is more. You don’t want to have a lot of product residue left behind after rinsing. To ensure that the soap is thoroughly mixed, swish it around in the water.
5) Hand Wash the Blanket
Mix the water and detergent solution with the blanket. Ensure that the blanket is completely soaked. Squeeze the water through the fabric with care. Give the blanket at least 15 minutes to soak.
Drain the tub after removing the blanket from the soapy water. Fill the tub up again with cool, clean water. Squeeze the blanket gently to allow the water through.
Refill the tub after draining it. Rinse again and again until there are no residues left.
How To Dry Your Weighted Blanket
Your heavier blanket can be dried in two different ways. Depending on the material your weighted blanket is constructed of, you can use one of several techniques.
- The majority of weighted blankets can withstand a tumble dry on low heat. Never use excessive heat to dry your blanket alone since it could damage the beads inside. To completely remove the water, you might need to dry your blanket more than once, depending on the material.
- The safest method for drying your blanket is to let it air dry. It is advised for blankets with chains or beads made of metal. To ensure that the blanket filler beads are evenly distributed throughout the blanket and not pushed to one side during air drying, lay the blanket flat.
How Often Should a Weighted Blanket Be Laundered?
How frequently you use your weighted blanket will determine this. Wash your weighted blanket roughly every three weeks if you use it every night or whenever it gets dirty. You should wash it once every three to four months if you don’t use it every day. If you choose a weighted blanket with a removable duvet cover, it will be simple to often wash the cover without having to deal with the bulky blanket.
FAQs
Can I Dry my Weighted Blanket?
Yes, A weighted blanket should generally be air dried by laying it flat and shaking it out occasionally so the fill can dry and spread evenly.
Can You Machine Wash Weighted Blankets?
You can machine wash weighted blankets that are under 20 pounds, making sure to use a regular, mild detergent.
How do you Wash a 20 Pound Weighted Blanket?
To avoid damaging your home machine, blankets weighing more than 20 pounds should be carried to a laundromat and cleaned in commercial-size heavy functional machines
Why Can’t You Put a Weighted Blanket in the Washer?
It is not recommended to machine dry or wash weighted blankets loaded with plastic beads or poly pellets since the plastic could melt.
What’s Inside a Weighted Blanket?
Different materials can be used to make weighted blankets. A weighted blanket’s fill, which gives it its weight, can be made of microfibre beads, sand, steel beads, pebbles, or grains.
Why do Weighted Blankets have Glass Beads?
Some weighted blankets use glass beads as they are less clumsy while still giving the same weight as poly plastic pellets since they have a significantly higher density.
Conclusion:
For hygiene reasons, you must learn how to wash a weighted blanket just like you would any other piece of bedding. A weighted blanket should typically be changed every five years. However, if you take good care of your weighted blanket, you could be able to use it even longer.
Related Article:
How To Wash A Duvet
How To Wash Linen Sheets, Dry, and Care
Best Ways To Wash, Dry, And Care For Silk Pillowcases