How To Wash A Weighted Blanket: The Best Methods

Have you been using your weighted blanket every single day for the past 2 weeks? It’s probably time for a wash! Learn how to wash a weighted blanket so that it stays in great condition for years to come.

woman doing a load of laundry for weighted blankets

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Weighted blankets are very popular right now for good reason since they help to:

Relieve anxiety
Lessen certain aches and pains
Keep you cooler or warmer (depending)
Promote better sleep

If you have one or are searching for one to buy, you’ll know that they vary in size, shape, and material. A lot. From the outer material to the filling material, to the weight – there are lots of choices when it comes to options for weighted blankets!

Finding the perfect weighted blanket is one hurdle but, once you buy one, you need to figure out how to wash a weighted blanket. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as just “throwing it in the wash” – and that’s if you can throw your 20-pound blanket at all!

Today, I’m covering how to wash your weighted blanket to keep it clean and fresh without ruining it forever.

Factors That Determine How To Wash A Weighted Blanket

When you buy a weighted blanket, I think you need to wrap your brain around the fact that it will require some special care in some way.

So, can you machine wash a weighted blanket? The answer: sometimes.

There are several factors that determine how to wash a weighted blanket – let’s quickly cover them.

Note: I am providing general guidelines as a reference only. Please refer to your blanket’s care tag for more detailed or precise information.

Outer Fabric Materials

Here is a list of the most common outer fabric materials and general care guidelines for each. However, if your blanket is made with another material, refer to your tag for washing instructions.

Cotton – Hand or machine washable (on gentle cycle and with a mild detergent); air drying is best because hot temperatures will shrink the fabric.
Flannel – Hand or machine washable (on gentle cycle and with a mild detergent); air drying is preferable because hot temperatures will shrink the fabric.
Wool – Hand or machine washable (on gentle cycle and with a mild detergent); air dry.
Fleece – Hand or machine washable (on gentle cycle and with a mild detergent); air drying is best because hot temperatures will shrink the fabric.

Most of the common outer fabrics are washable. However, the filling that is used to create the extra weight may not be. Check my general guide below regarding different types of filling.

Tip: Allow plenty of time to dry, especially if you air dry your blanket. It could take 24-48 hours to fully dry.

Filling Materials

In case you can’t find your tag, here are some general guidelines for washing your weighted blanket based on what was used for the filling.

Plastic poly beads – Wash only in cold water; air-dry.
Micro glass beads – Wash in cold or warm water; safe to tumble dry on a low heat setting.
Steel shot beads – Only hand wash; air-dry.
Sand – Spot clean only (not washable).
Rice, corn, or beans – Spot clean only (not washable).

Weight

The vast majority of weighted blankets range from 5 to 20 pounds. The care tag on your blanket will tell you the blanket’s total weight.

Unless your blanket is on the very light end, I wouldn’t recommend washing it in your home washing machine. It can cause too much wear and tear on the machine, especially if it gets out of balance.

Instead, if your blanket weighs 10 pounds or more, I recommend either hand-washing it in the bathtub or taking it to a laundromat to wash it in the heavy-duty machines there.

How To Wash A Weighted Blanket Properly

Follow this step by step method to properly clean your weighted blanket so it’s nice and fresh again!

Step 1

Before throwing it in the wash, make sure to look over the entire weighted blanket before washing it, looking for stains that need to be pretreated as well as tears that need to be mended before washing.

Step 2

If your weighted blanket has a cover on it, remove the cover. Only wash your blanket with similar fabrics (or even separately) to prevent abrasion that could damage the fabric.

Step 3

Put your weighted blanket into the washing machine or prepare your bathtub for hand washing. Be sure to use only a small amount of mild detergent (a little goes a long way).

Step 4

Wash your blanket according to your chosen method. Make sure that all soap gets rinsed out.

Step 5

Drying the blanket in hot temperatures is generally not good for your blankets (and it’s only safe for blankets filled with micro glass beads).

I recommend air drying whenever possible or tumble drying on very low temperatures if that is safe according to the care instructions on your blanket’s tag.

Tips For Washing A Weighted Blanket

Here are some general tips to help make washing your weighted blanket easier.

Buy A Machine Washable Product

First and foremost, try to find a weighted blanket that is machine washable by checking the packaging before you purchase. Washing the blanket in your machine (or even the laundromat) is much easier and faster than hand washing is.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals

Always use a mild detergent and avoid using bleach, vinegar, and fabric softeners.

Use A Blanket Cover

Save the wear and tear of washing on both your blanket and washing machine by using a removable cover on your weighted blanket. This will allow you to just wash the cover and spot clean your blanket.

Don’t Iron Your Blanket

The heat from the iron may shrink your blanket’s material or melt the filling inside. If your blanket gets wrinkled and it bothers you, consider buying a weighted blanket cover to hide them.

Hanging Your Blanket

If you hang your blanket to dry, avoid hanging it from one edge because all the filling material will fall to one side and distort the shape of the blanket, and strain the seams.

Instead, drape your blanket across your clothesline or lay flat on a large surface to distribute the filler material more evenly and help the blanket maintain its shape.

Note: It could take 24-48 hours for your blanket to fully dry.

Washing Weighted Blankets: Final Thoughts

Knowing how to wash a weighted blanket the right way can keep your blanket in terrific condition for years to come so that you can get that cozy, soothing, comfortable rest you crave!