How do you clean a weighted blanket

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.

Table of Contents Show

Spot clean often
Machine wash if you can
Be careful with weighted blankets with covers
Dry the weighted blanket
How frequently do you need to wash your weighted blanket?
Important: Read Your Blanket Care Instructions
Step 1: Tackle Stains
Step 2: Wash Your Weighted Blanket
Step 3: Dry Your Weighted Blanket
What to Avoid When Cleaning Your Weighted Blanket
Specific Instructions for Different Fabrics
How do you clean a 20 pound weighted blanket?
Will washing a weighted blanket ruin it?
Can weighted blankets go in the dryer?
How do you wash a weighted blanket without a washing machine?

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.

Weighted blankets have proven themselves to be highly beneficial for folks with insomnia, anxiety, PTSD, and many other conditions that might keep someone from falling asleep at night. Odds are you spent decent money on your weighted blanket, so it’s important to keep it in good shape to make it last as long as possible. Some weighted blankets are easy to clean in the washer, and others might take a little more TLC. Keep reading to find out how to wash a weighted blanket.

Important: Read Your Blanket Care Instructions

You can’t assume all weighted blankets are cared for the same way, so first things first, always check the care instructions on the tag. It will tell you what you can and can’t do with your weighted blanket, if it has a removable cover, or if it is or isn’t machine washable.

Make sure to check the tag

If you decide to play a guessing game with how to wash your blanket, you might not love the results. So as a rule of thumb, make sure you know your blanket’s proper care instructions before you move forward.

Step 1: Tackle Stains

Have you ever noticed a nasty stain become permanently imprinted on your t-shirt or sweatshirt after you ran it through the washer and dryer? If you have, you’re like a lot of people who don’t treat their stains before the wash, and the dryer sets the stain into your clothes. The same could happen to your weighted blanket. So before you wash the entire thing, concentrate on the special stains that could require different “special” treatments.

Run cold water over the space where you spotted the stain to remove any dirt that can be matting the fabric down. Remember to avoid warm water to prevent setting in the stain, and try to hold the blanket far away from you so you don’t make a big slippery mess on the ground.
Use a bleach-free stain remover for any liquid spill stains or bodily fluids like sweat. You should be conscious of your blanket’s fabric when you choose a stain remover, and bleach usually isn’t recommended. Many items found in your laundry room probably contain bleach, so make sure to check the label. Gently scrub the stain with your fingers or a toothbrush.

McKenzie showing you how it’s done

Use soap for grease stains after you drop anything like pizza, pasta, or basically anything oil based — you get the gist. You’ll want to follow the same instructions as above; avoid any soap containing bleach, and use your fingers or a gentle brush to scrub the stain away.

Step 2: Wash Your Weighted Blanket

Depending on what the care label says, you’ll want to determine what method you’re going to use to wash your blanket. It’s also possible that you’ll want to machine wash your weighted blanket’s duvet cover, but hand wash the blanket that’s zipped inside. Below are the instructions for both approaches.

To machine wash your blanket, follow the instructions given to you on the label. It’ll tell you to wash in warm or cold water depending on the type of fabric it’s made from. You should use a mild detergent, again that’s free of bleach, and run it through a light wash setting. If your weighted blanket is over 12 lbs, you might want to take it to a professional location with commercial machines to avoid messing up your expensive laundry machines.
To hand wash your blanket, clear out your bathtub and fill it up about halfway. Add a ½ cup to a full cup of mild detergent (you guessed it, a detergent without bleach) to the water, depending on the size of your blanket. Mix the water around until it’s lathered, and dunk the entire blanket underneath. Once you’ve washed it thoroughly, empty the tub and fill it up again with clean water, then rinse and repeat this process until your blanket is free of soap. Ring out the extra water, and your weighted blanket is ready to dry.

Step 3: Dry Your Weighted Blanket

Keep in mind that your weighted blanket will be much heavier when it’s wet, especially if you washed the entire blanket together. So with that being said, you should decide if you want to throw it in the dryer or if you want to hang it out. Again, consult the instructions on the tag if you’re stuck.

To machine dry, make sure it’s either on a low or medium setting, depending on the fabric of your blanket. You can also run it through a tumble dry setting, and throw it in with a dry towel to fluff your blanket up a bit.
To air dry your weighted blanket, try not to hang it over an old school clothes line, or else it might make the beads or poly-pellets inside become dispersed unevenly throughout the blanket. You can hang it over an even and open surface like a banister, or lay it out to dry in the sun. Just make sure you shake it out every half hour or so to make sure the weight stays evenly distributed.

If your weighted blanket has reached its expiration date and washing it won’t do the trick, you always have the option to purchase a new one. Feel free to take a look at our reviews of the BlanQuil Weighted Blanket and Layla Weighted Blanket, where we go in depth on their features and discuss who they may or may not be best for. You can find weighted blankets in a range of prices online, or you can have a DIY moment and look at our blog post to learn how to make a weighted blanket on your own.

What to Avoid When Cleaning Your Weighted Blanket

Hot water: Avoid washing your weighted blanket in hot water and instead opt for cold or warm. Hot water is a bit too harsh on the fabric, whereas cold or warm water will be gentler.
Bleach: Bleach can damage your weighted blanket, so it’s best to avoid using it, even if you get some stains. Instead, spot treat any stains with a gentle laundry detergent.
Fabric softener: Fabric softener can cause buildup in your weighted blanket and make it feel stiff or scratchy rather than cozy like you want it. It might feel counterintuitive, but because of the way weighted blankets are made, fabric softener isn’t recommended.
Iron: You shouldn’t need to iron your blanket, and it’s recommended not to do so. An iron can damage the fibers of the blanket and make it wear out more quickly.

Specific Instructions for Different Fabrics

Cotton: Cotton is the easiest fabric to wash. It’s super durable. You should be able to throw a cotton weighted blanket in your washer on a cool rinse cycle and either put it in the dryer on low or hang it to dry. Opt for your standard gentle laundry detergent for cotton.
Flannel: Flannel is very similar to cotton, so you can follow many of the same washing and drying instructions (unless the care tag says differently). Put it in the washing machine with your standard gentle detergent on cool or warm. Either hang it to dry or put it in the dryer on low.
Silk: Silk is a pretty uncommon fabric for a weighted blanket but in the case that you have this, it’s best to dry clean it. You can spot-treat stains carefully, but for the most part, silk requires dry cleaning.
Wool: Similarly, wool isn’t typically a machine-washable fabric. Wool requires either hand-washing or dry cleaning. Check the care label to be sure, but most likely, you’ll have to gently hand-wash a wool weighted blanket and hang it to dry to prevent shrinking or damage.
Rayon: Rayon typically also needs to be hand-washed, but, again, check the care label to be sure. It’s easy to damage or shrink, so hand-wash it carefully and lay it flat to dry.

How do you clean a 20 pound weighted blanket?

"Blankets over 20 pounds should be taken to a laundromat and washed in a commercial-size machine simply to spare your home machine from wear and tear," she says. If your blanket clocks in at under 15 to 20 pounds, wash it at home on the gentle cycle using cold water and a mild detergent.

Will washing a weighted blanket ruin it?

Can weighted blankets go in the dryer?

To answer the original question: yes, most weighted blankets can go in the dryer — but only tumble dry low. It's important to check the care label and follow the manufacturer's instructions before you wash or dry your weighted blanket. And when in doubt, stick to air drying!

How do you wash a weighted blanket without a washing machine?

Hand wash your blanket by mixing warm water with a mild liquid detergent in a washtub or bathtub. Place the weighted blanket in the tub and submerge it in the mixture. Let soak for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse in warm or cold water until water runs clear, and no suds are visible. Lay flat to air dry.