Weighted blankets are far from a fad. With their ability to reduce stress and anxiety while promoting more restful sleep, there’s no doubt that they will be around for many years to come. In fact, we are only just beginning to fully understand the
benefits a weighted blanket and deep touch pressure (DTP) therapy can have, even (and especially) for healthy adults. If you spend so much time underneath the covers of your new blanket, then washing them is mandatory as part of your hygiene measures. Of course, you can’t just toss a weighted blanket in the washer …or can you? How to wash
weighted blankets? If you buy the best weighted blanket and want it to last a long time, you need to follow the appropriate washing instructions. By doing so, you’ll be able to keep your weighted blanket looking and feeling like new. Now, for all of you with questions on how to wash a weighted blanket, here we have
prepared a comprehensive Washing Guide to help you on how to wash and dry a weighted blanket? Learning about the correct way of how to clean a weighted blanket is imperative. Surely, you want to keep them looking and feeling as good as new for the years to come. And also enjoy a restful deep sleep while feeling refreshed
in the morning, after spending 8 hours at night underneath their reassuring covers. Here are some tips to make sure you don’t break any rules with your new favorite bedding. The general rule for cleaning a weighted blanket is to wash them 3-4 times per year. Though, you may need to wash them more frequently if they get stained or become dusty or start to stink. If you wash your
gravity blanket in the washing machine often, then you’re damaging them, the fibers can shrink or the softness of the fabric is affected or the ruffled fillings cause irregular weight distribution. Also, the possibility of your weighted blanket tearing cannot be ruled out, especially by using some cheap ones. Thus, keeping your calming blanket clean is very important. Here are some handy tips to guide you how to keep clean your weighted blankets. Weighted
blankets are not meant to be used as bedspreads. This is because they do not then serve their intended purpose, which is imparting their therapeutic effects. Simply put, for a weighted blanket to work their magic, you must use them only as a cover If you are not using your weighted blanket, then fold and store them in a safe place. As such, you avoid them from getting dirty or damaged. Do not allow your dogs or cats near your calming
blanket. Having pets walk over your weighted blanket causes your bedding to smell. Now, if you need your pet around while sleeping, only ensure to clean their paws beforehand. Alternatively, give them a separate clean sheet near you for sleeping. Never eat or drink on your weighted blanket or they could become stained. So, save yourself the bother of regularly cleaning your weighted blanket by following suit. Use your weighted
blankets on your bed only. To use a weighted blanket at your workplace or on the couch, opt for the smaller versions. The small-sized ones are the easy-to-wash weighted blankets. Also, they are more easily transportable than the full-size ones. Besides, with the small weighted blankets, you’re less bothered about spilling food or coffee, for they are machine washable. Always use a removable cover to protect your weighted blanket from stains or dust or
damage. Then, you do not need to wash your inner blanket regularly. Inner blankets are costly and likely to tear with regular washes. On the other hand, removable weighted blanket covers are not expensive and can be washed comfortably. Referring to your query on how to clean heavy blankets having spots, apply spot treatment for cleaning the stains if possible. Then, you do not have to wash them often. Also, remove stains sooner rather than later, for they cannot be
removed easily if they set in. More importantly, avoid the use of bleach when learning how to clean weighted blankets bearing stains.How to wash a Weighted Blanket – The Step-By-Step Guide
Can you wash weighted blankets?
How to keep your weighted blanket clean?
Are weighted blankets washable?
If you are wondering what is inside of a weighted blanket: small and rounded glass beads make it bulky. Surely, you can avail weighted blankets stuffed with various other materials too, though glass beads offer a long term and natural, toxin-free solution.
Which are the wash-friendly weighted blanket fillings?
Let us now study the various fillings of weighted blankets.
Micro Glass Beads: With micro glass bead fillings for your weighted blankets, you need not bother about the stuffing materials getting damaged during the washing sessions, for they hold up well. Sure, they look like sand and are noiseless. More so, even at higher temperatures, they do not melt. They do not clump when you keep your weighted blanket for drying too. In all, they serve as a good choice for your weighted blanket fillings. Always wash in warm water cycles and do not use hot water.
Plastic Poly Pellets: Such fillings are composed of plastic andyou may have exposure to chemicals or toxins. Now, never wash weighted blankets with such fillings at high temperatures or the pellets start to melt and clump together. Instead, cold water is your best bet for washing blankets having such fillers.
Steel-based Beads: As compared to other weighted blanket fillers, steel shot beads are heavier. Now, if you want to know how to clean a heavy blanket, then consider using a washing machine that can bear such weighty blankets. Similar to micro glass beads, these fillers also do not melt if the water temperatures are slightly high.
Small-sized Pebbles: Weighted blankets that are fitted with small pebbles are best washed by hand. Remember they cannot withstand washing machine cycles.
Organic Stuff: If you’re seeking only machine washable weighted blankets, then do not opt for weighted blankets that are stuffed with organic materials. Sure, they may be inexpensive for they are filled with rice, beans, corn, among other organic stuff. However, they cannot be used for long time. This is because they tend to become soggy if you wash them. Apart from that, they run the risk of becoming infested with bacteria, yeast, or insects when wet. Overall, they start to decompose upon becoming wet.
Sand Fillings: Sand fillings pose similar problems to organic fillings because of their semi-organic nature, upon water exposure, insects, bacteria or yeast can invade your blanket and they may be rendered unable to use.
How do you wash weighted blankets?
You should always follow the below-mentioned rules for cleaning a weighted blanket and their covers.
Dos of washing weighted blankets
For weighted blankets that come with covers, the first step is to unzip and separate them from the inner blankets. Many covers have ties that need to be unfastened before they are put for washing.
Check whether your washing machine can carry the load of your blanket. Importantly, read the instruction booklet for weighted blanket washing instructions and go through the guidelines on how to wash a heavy weighted blanket. And if your machine is not compatible with carrying such loads, then consider hiring professional cleaning services for a spotlessly clean weighted blanket.
Before washing your blankets and cover, check for organic stains. If you find any food stains or bodily fluids, first rinse them so they do not set in. And if the stain has dried, then only apply cold water with a mild detergent and continue rubbing and rinsing.
Going by the material of your cover, you must commence their washing. Owing to whether they have stains or not, you must machine wash your weighted blankets in cold or warm water respectively. For blankets that weigh less apply gentle programs for setting temperatures around 30 C
Always go with ‘Low’ tumble dry option and never on ‘High’ mode. Otherwise, you run the risk of their damage, especially in cases of minky duvet cover for weighted blanket.
For drying the inner blanket, position them horizontally. By doing so, the beads do not cluster and the weight distribution is not affected. Follow by flipping and shaking them out them after every few hours for their drying.
Don’ts of washing weighted blankets
As part of your learning on how do you wash a weighted blanket, keep in mind to only use cold or warm water and never hot water.
Do not wash often, but only when required and carefully for maintaining the perfectly-balanced weight distribution.
Most weighted blankets should not be given for dry cleaning or ironed or put for tumble dry. If you do so, you’ll not only damage your favorite calming blanket but cannot avail the related warranty benefits as well.
Never use fabric softener, chlorine bleach, vinegar and other harsh cleaning products for washing your duvet covers and inner blankets.
Avoid putting heavy objects on your inner blanket or applying iron for flattening them.
In a nutshell, the above-listed guidelines apply to most washable weighted blankets. Though, keep in mind different weighted blankets come with varying care instructions. So, always go by the related instructions for getting the maximum return on your investment in calming blankets.
How Do You Dry a Weighted Blanket?
After you wash your weighted blanket, the next step is to put them to dry. Here again, you have to adhere to their care instructions. Depending on whether your weighted blanket has plastic beads or metallic pellets or glass beads, they should be put to dry suitably.
How to dry a weighted blanket on low heat mode?
Many weighted blankets have to be dried on low heat and gentle settings to be on the safer side. Also, as a result, they dry evenly. On the other hand, never apply high heat and always maintain the even distribution of bead fillings.
To learn more about how do you wash and dry a weighted blanket, know that when using your normal dryer to dry your calming blanket, ensure that enough space is available for optimal circulation. If not, only avail commercial dryer services from your nearest Laundromat.
Can you air dry a weighted blanket?
Air-drying your weighted blanket is considered one of the best ways to go about. That is if you want no damage to your chains, metal beads, and other filling materials. Also, with air-drying, you are assured that your blanket dries uniformly.
With air drying, you can also reduce pilling of some fabrics – such as fleece. However, only lay your blanket flat or hang uniformly.
Dry cleaning a weighted blanket
If your calming blanket is made of fabrics such as linen or rayon or wool, only then pursue the dry cleaning mode. Though, beforehand, read the given instructions on whether dry cleaning is advisable or not.
Can I iron my weighted blanket?
The fillers of your weighted blanket could be harmed from the heat of your iron. Though, if your manufacturer gives you the go-ahead to iron, follow all the given instructions to keep your calming blanket and the different filling agents intact.
Washing Weighted Blanket Duvet Covers
Weighted blankets comes with two duvet covers in general: 100% cotton duvet or a warmer minky duvet for the winter. Both duvet covers are designed to be machine-washable, allowing you to always have fresh, crisp bedding to lay down in.
However, you’ll need to follow a few simple tips to keep these duvet covers like new.
First, always wash separately from other laundry. This is because the rough fabric of other items, like denim, can cause excess abrasion that can lead to pilling. When washed alone, both duvet covets will continue looking like new for a very long time.
Duvets should be washed in cold water, no hotter than 30°C / 85°F.
You should not tumble dry the duvet covers or dry clean them.
Avoid using chlorine bleach or fabric softener for your duvet covers.
When washing, make sure the duvet covers are right side out to protect the tie ribbons from damage.
can you wash a weighted blanket with glass beads
One way to clean a weighted blanket filled with glass beads is to machine wash it on a gentle cycle with cold water. Use a mild detergent, such as Tide, and avoid bleach. Do not use fabric softener either. The other way is to gentle hand wash it in cold water.
How To Wash A Weighted Blanket With Glass Beads
There are two main types of weighted blankets: those that are filled with glass beads and those that have plastic pellets inside them. While both offer benefits, they come with a big problem: how do you clean them?
This is especially true for weighted blankets that have glass beads inside, as the beads can easily be damaged if not washed correctly. There are a few tips you can follow to make sure your blanket is properly cleaned and stays in good condition.
When it comes time to wash your weighted blanket, make sure to take the necessary precautions. Glass beads can be harmful if ingested, so it’s important to keep them away from children and pets.
To wash a weighted blanket with glass beads, you’ll need to follow these three steps:
Step #1: Check the Manufacturers Tag
This will tell you what kind of material your blanket is made out of and what type of detergent to use. Some blankets are made with delicate fabrics like silk or satin and should only be hand washed in cold water with a gentle detergent.
Be sure to never use bleach on your weighted blanket as it could damage the fabric and affect the weighting beads inside.
Step #2. Choose the right detergent for your weighted blanket filled with glass beads
When it comes to washing a weighted blanket filled with glass beads, it’s important to choose the right detergent. Not all detergents are created equal, and some can actually damage your blanket. So how do you know which detergent is right for you?
The first step is to find out what type of detergent the blanket’s manufacturer recommends. Many manufacturers have specific instructions on which detergents can be used on their blankets without causing any damage. If the manufacturer doesn’t specify a particular type of detergent, then you’ll need to do some research to find one that is safe for use on your blanket.
It’s also important to consider the ingredients in the detergent. Some chemicals in laundry detergents can be harmful to weighted blankets filled with glass beads. So if you’re looking for a chemical-free option, there are several natural laundry detergents available that are safe for use on your weighted blanket.
Step 3: Pretreating – Remove Stains
- Inspect the blanket for stains.
- For this step, we recommend using a stain remover which is tough on dirt and grime but gentle on fabric.
- Pretreat the stains before washing to prevent them from baking into the fabric during the washing and drying process.
- Close any tears in the blanket before putting it in the washer.
- Gently scrub any stained areas until they disappear, if needed.
- Pour a small amount of detergent directly onto the stain and rub it in using a circular motion. Allow the detergent to sit on the fabric for about five minutes before proceeding to the next step.
Step 4: Check the Capacity of Your Machine
If your weighted blanket is particularly heavy, you will need to take its weight into account when choosing how to wash it. For example, if you have a front-loading washer, the added weight of the blanket may cause the machine to tilt and potentially damage both your blanket and your washing machine. In this case, you would be better off hand washing your weighted blanket.
Be certain that your washing machine can handle a 20 lbs load and consider heading to the professional cleaner’s to ensure you don’t damage the machine.
Step #5. Wash your weighted blanket filled with glass beads
There are two ways to wash a weighted blanket with glass beads: in the machine or by hand. If you choose to wash it in the machine, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
In order to preserve the weighted blanket and prevent any damage to the glass beads, hand washing is recommended. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when washing a weighted blanket with glass beads. This will ensure that both the blanket and the beads are properly taken care of.
Step #6. Ironing
Ironing your blanket is not recommended, but if you decide to do it make sure the iron is set to a low heat and evenly distribute the pressure across the surface of the blanket.
Gently iron the blanket in a circular motion, making sure not to apply too much pressure or else you may damage the fabric. Be sure to check for any areas where the glass beads may have shifted out of place, and fix them. This is an important step to ensure that the glass beads are evenly distributed in the fabric and that your blanket stays looking its best.
How to dry a weighted blanket with glass beads
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to dry a weighted blanket will vary depending on the material and weight of the blanket. However, a few tips on how to dry a weighted blanket include:
– Drying the blanket in a low-temperature setting on your dryer.
– Placing the blanket in the sun to dry.
– Putting the blanket in a dryer bag and drying it in the dry
If you have a weighted blanket that is filled with glass beads, it’s important to take care. You can dry it on a gentle tumble dry setting. Make sure to check on it frequently, as it may take longer than other blankets to dry.
Air-dry the weighted blanket
Hang the weighted blanket evenly and shake it occasionally to redistribute fillers.
Dry tumble or air dry the blanket.
If machine drying, set on low or medium heat and follow instructions on tag.
Air dry if line drying
Do not wring or twist it. Hang the blanket outside or in a well-ventilated area to air dry. It is best to avoid direct sunlight, which can fade the fabric.
If it’s cold outside, you can place your weighted blanket in the dryer on the lowest heat setting.
Tips When Washing Your Glass Bead Filled Weighted Blanket
When washing your glass bead filled weighted blanket, it is important to consider the following:
1. Read care label before washing
Some blankets can be machine-washed on a gentle cycle, while others should only be hand-washed. Some fabrics – such as fleece – are also not recommended for use in the dryer.
Always wash in cool water, no hotter than 30°C / 85°F.
Use the gentle cycle and do not bleach.
Do not iron, dry clean, tumble dry, or microwave the weighted blanket as it will cause damage and void your warranty.
2. Avoid washing your weighted blanket too often
You should aim to wash your weighted blanket once a month or as needed.
3. Wash your blanket separately where possible
This is important as it will ensure that your blanket retains its weight evenly. It is also advisable to use a gentle detergent when washing your blanket, and avoid vigorous scrubbing or twisting which could cause the glass beads to move around and become displaced.
4. Do not dry clean
Not only is it expensive, but it can also be damaging to the glass beads inside your blanket.
Even then, we advise against it – dry cleaning can be rough on fabrics and glass beads, and there is always a chance that something could go wrong.
This is not only more affordable, but it’s also much safer for your blanket and the glass beads inside it.
Tips for keeping your weighted blanket clean
Weighted blankets are a great way to reduce anxiety and stress, but they can be difficult to keep clean. Here are a few tips for keeping your blanket clean:
- Spot clean the blanket when possible.
- Use cold or warm water when washing the blanket.
- Make sure you buy a durable, heavy-duty blanket.
- Use an easy-to-clean duvet cover.
- Try not to fold the blanket when storing it away, as this can cause wrinkles or creases that will be difficult to remove during washing.
Use a Duvet Cover for your weighted blanket
If you use the duvets like you should, you should never need to wash the inner weighted blanket. However, if you do happen to get something on it, you can spot clean it. Duvet covers come in all sizes, so make sure to get one that is bigger than your weighted blanket. If your weighted blanket is from IKEA it is easy to find one.
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Lez Taylor, Founder and CEO of Corala Blanket.
She tried every sleep system and trick to conquer her insomnia for good.