How do I wash a thick blanket in the washing machine?
- Angela Edwards Edwards
- Nov 7, 2022
- 6 min read
How to wash the weighted blanket
Before washing a weighted blanket, you should read the manufacturer's instructions on the label or on the company's website.Because of their heavy construction, weighted blankets are not as easy to clean as regular blankets. Care instructions vary depending on the type of filler and fabric material. So be sure to find out how to care for your particular blanket before you start cleaning.
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In general, there are a few things to consider when cleaning weighted blankets. The first is how much the ceiling really needs to be cleaned. If only partial cleaning of the quilt is required, treat those stains with a mild soap, detergent, or stain remover, rinse in cold or warm water, and allow the quilt to air dry. So, wash off the dirt as soon as it appears.
For duvet covers, consider removing and washing just the duvet cover rather than the entire duvet. Duvet covers are usually machine washable and tumble dryable, but check the care label first.
When you're ready to give your weighted blanket a thorough cleaning, you can machine wash it or hand wash it in the tub or sink. Choose a mild detergent without bleach and wash the blanket in cold or lukewarm water, as many weighted blankets cannot withstand hot water. Rinse the blanket thoroughly. You can bring the blanket to any commercial laundromat, subject to the washing machine's weight limit.
In general, it is best to air dry the weighted blanket, lay it flat, and shake it occasionally to spread the filling dry and evenly.If you want to put the blanket in the dryer, use the low or medium setting and Remove when dry.Be sure the blanket is completely dry before using it again. There is no need to iron your weighted blanket.
Weighted Blanket Care Guidelines
As with most bedding, it depends on whether the weighted blanket is made of cotton, polyester, rayon, wool, or other materials, and whether the filling contains glass beads, plastic particles, or organic materials. Care guidelines may vary.The blanket label, instruction manual, or manufacturer's website will provide the information you need to clean your weighted blanket. Most weighted blankets come with one of the following instructions:
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MACHINE WASHER AND DRYER: For machine washing, choose a mild bleach-free detergent and gently wash the blanket in cold or warm water. Avoid fabric softeners. Choose a light or medium dryer setting and fluff regularly as the quilt dries.
MACHINE WASH, AIR DRY: Place the blanket in the washing machine with a mild bleach-free detergent. Choose a gentle cycle and use cold or lukewarm water. To air dry the blanket, lay it flat and shake it occasionally to fill the interior evenly.
MACHINE WASHABLE COVERS ONLY: Some weighted blankets have removable covers that can be washed separately. Remove the duvet cover and wash according to label care instructions. In general, duvet covers can be washed in cold water on normal washing settings. If instructions allow, air dry the lid or place it in a low tumble dryer.
Stain or Dry Clean Only: Minor stains can be cleaned topically with a mild stain remover or soap and cold water. Massage the dirt with your fingers or a soft brush or sponge, then rinse thoroughly. Take a blanket that says "dry clean only" to a professional dry cleaner, or consider purchasing a home dry cleaning kit to keep your blanket clean.
How often should weighted blankets be cleaned?
How often you clean your weighted blanket depends on how often you use it. If you sleep on a blanket every night, wash it every few weeks to prevent sweat and body fat from accumulating. If you only use it occasionally as a cushion on a sofa or table, you can clean the weighted blanket 3-4 times a year. enough.
Frequent washing of weighted blankets can affect their feel and durability. You can extend the life of a weighted blanket by purchasing covers that are easy to remove and wash.
In general, weighted blankets should be replaced every five years. However, with proper care, you may be able to enjoy your weighted blanket for longer.
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How to wash a weighted blanket in the washing machine
The evergreen dilemma of whether to use hot or cold water when washing a weighted blanket can be solved by checking the weight and fabric of the blanket. The easiest way to find out is to read our blanket care guide. Since most weighted blankets are made of cotton and plastic, here are the washing instructions:
Keep your favorite laundry detergent in the laundry room
Place the prepared weighted blanket into the machine
Press the gentle cycle and watch the blanket wash
Remove weighted blankets immediately after washing
How to Hand Wash Weighted Blankets
Blankets may not be machine washable. In this case, we wash our hands, which is the oldest and most sustainable method. You control the washing process, so you should know how to hand wash a weighted blanket.
Fill a bathtub or water container with cold or warm water
Then apply the cleaner to the whole thing
Throwing the pretreated weighted blanket into the water
Start kneading the blanket with your hands
Replace the water with fresh water after a few minutes
Put wet weighted blankets in a dry place
squeeze out excess water
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Care of weighted blankets made of different fabrics
Weighted blanket fabrics range from cotton to flannel. Each has specific care instructions. Let's dig into the facts.
cotton:
Wash heavy cotton blankets separately in cold water. Do not put anything other than cotton in your clothing as this will damage the fabric. To preserve the color, mix 1/2 cup vinegar with a chlorine-free cleaner.
flannel:
Sensory factors make them popular as weighted blankets. Flannel can be washed in cold or lukewarm water, but not in hot water as it will spoil quickly. Dry the blanket in a household washing machine on low heat.
wool:
Blankets can be washed with warm water. To remove stains, soak the blanket in the washing machine for about 45 minutes before washing. Fabric softener can also be used on wool, but use a mild detergent. Dry on low heat or air dry.
Minimum force:
Minky is one of the best-selling weighted blanket materials and can be washed with non-chlorine bleach diluted with water. Do not use hot water or high temperature settings as Minky is a polyester material that cannot withstand high temperatures.
Blend of viscose and linen
The material should be dry cleaned and air dried separately.
silk:
Weighted quilts are less common, while silk quilts only require dry cleaning.
wool:
Use mild soap, cold or lukewarm water and tumble dry on low or medium speed.
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Washing instructions for different filling materials
Weighting materials consist of a variety of filler materials, each of which must be carefully cleaned.
Micro glass beads
Can be washed with warm or cold water and dried
sand:
It is not possible to completely remove sand from a weighted bunker. You can use the above cleaning mixture to remove the sand.
plastic particles:
Wash in cold water only, then lay the blanket flat to dry in a well-ventilated area
wrecking ball:
Hand wash only with mild soap and water or lukewarm water, spread out the blanket and air dry
Organic fillers such as beans and rice:
Not washable, spot wash only
Easy way to dry a weighted blanket
Some weighted blankets can be machine dried, while others cannot. You should pay attention to care labels to make sure you're using the correct method.If you're looking for a way to dry a weighted blanket, consider the options below.
dry fresh air
The best way to dry your magic sleep aid is to dry it outdoors.
Lay the blanket flat in the sun.
Spin for 30 minutes.
Shake regularly to distribute the weight evenly.
Because weighted blankets have weight, successive throws will change the weight, which is undesirable.
mechanical drying
If you don't have time to wait for it to dry, you can toss it in the dryer (if the material allows).
Rules and Prohibitions to Follow.
Here van der Linde shares his general best practices for laundering weighted blankets. Please check the blanket label before use as care instructions may vary.
How to wash your weighted blanket:
Machine wash in cold or warm water. These temperatures are usually neither cold nor hot and are perfect for fabrics.
Please avoid using the dryer. Over time, excessive heat can affect fabric quality.
Use environmentally friendly neutral detergent. (Bonus points if you make your own detergent!)
If you use it frequently, wash it about once a month. Infrequent use requires best judgment.
Weighted Blanket Washing Precautions:
Do not use fabric softener. Not required for weighted blankets. It gets dirty.
Do not dry. Hanging a heavy blanket to dry can cause it to stretch.
Do not overload the washing machine. Before washing the blanket for the first time, check the maximum capacity of your washing machine to make sure it can handle it.
How to keep the blanket in good condition.
Again, we recommend following the care label instructions to keep your weighted blanket in good condition for years to come.However, here are some general best practices:
Do not sleep directly under the cover. Placing a sheet or quilt between you and a weighted blanket will help it last longer between washes, says Vanderlinde.
Clean the dirt as soon as possible to prevent it from settling. We recommend that you clean the stains before putting the blanket in the washing machine or bathtub.
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