How to Wash a Weighted Blanket
If you, like me, enjoy the light, soothing pressure of a weighted blanket, you may notice that yours now looks a little dull. This is perfectly understandable. This year – especially the last few months – has been incredibly stressful.
Sometimes it comes to the point that I wrap myself in a weighted blanket almost around the clock. After sleeping under it, I get up, watch what is happening in the country, remember that my job is to write about it, and then I throw a weighted blanket over my shoulders, like a superhero whose strength lies in the ability to always find something to worry about …
Anyway, my weighted blanket (and probably yours too) needs to be washed. But how exactly do you do this? Sarah Regan of MindBodyGreen has put together a handy article that explains what to do.
How to machine wash a weighted blanket
So how often should you wash your weighted blanket? According to Regan , if you use it daily / nightly, then once a month is best. If you are more of a regular user, every few months will do. You can wash it in the machine or by hand – we start with a reliable washing machine.
Check your washing machine first to see if it has a weight limit. Regan says most household machines hold between 7 and 20 pounds, so if you have more of that, you can take them to the laundry, where there are higher capacity machines, or wash them by hand.
How you wash your weighted blanket depends on the type of blanket :
- Thick fabric, no fillers: wash in cool / warm water and dry over low heat.
- Quilts with artificial fillers : Wash cool and dry over low heat. [This is especially true if the duvet is filled with plastic balls that can melt at high temperatures.]
- Naturally filled blankets: If your blanket is filled with something natural, such as sand, rice, or beans, it may not get wet, so check with the manufacturer before trying to wash it.
- Removable cover : Remove the cover and wash it like any other comforter.
Use a mild (and ideally environmentally friendly) detergent to wash your weighted blanket, and do not use fabric softener.
How to Hand Wash a Weighted Blanket
Technically speaking, Regan says hand washing a weighted blanket may be better in the long run, as it is more gentle on the fabric. But if you are put off by the hassle, it’s better to put it in the washer and dryer than not wash it at all.
Here’s what to do, according to Regan and Jana van der Linde, who work with the company on the production of weighted blankets Bearaby :
- First, treat any stains on the blanket by dampening the stain in cold water, then wiping it down with a cloth or sponge and a drop of detergent.
- Make sure your bathtub is clean. Then fill it halfway with cool / warm water. Add a cap of a mild (ideally environmentally friendly) detergent.
- Place the blanket in the tub and gently scrub the parts (as if you were washing any clothes, sheets, etc.). After you have processed all the parts, leave the blanket in the bathtub for 10 minutes to absorb. Then rinse again.
- Drain the tub and rinse the blanket until the water coming out is soapy.
- Gently squeeze the water out of the blanket, but do not squeeze it out.
- Lay it on a flat surface to dry (do not hang). Since the blanket is large and heavy, the drying process will not be quick, so choose a location where sunlight is either entering through a window, near a ventilation hole, or with good air circulation.
You now have a project for the weekend.