The right way to safely wash a heated blanket

There is nothing that matches the feeling of raw in a warm bed after a long, tired day, especially if you have an electric heated blanket. Not only do they provide targeted warmth, they are cost-effective and eliminate the need to heat the entire room.

Despite its benefits, electric heated blankets have some concerns, especially for first-time users. Chief among them: How do you wash it? After all, most electric blanket manufacturers recommend washing your blanket before using. If you are wondering about this too, you are not alone. Some Reddit users I shared the same concerns, tried out different cleaning hacks and ruined some blankets along the way.

There is everything you need to know, so you can use a heated blanket without worry. If you’re looking for sleep details, Favorite Sleep Tips for Wellness Editor and How to take a nap without ruining your sleep.

Can I wash a heated blanket?

Generally speaking, yes. Most electric blankets are machine washable and can also be dried in a dryer. However, before throwing it into the next laundry, try reading the blanket care instructions.

The blankets may vary. for example, Sunbeamblanket makers recommend diving through the blanket and then washing with delicate soap for 2 minutes with cold water and gentle soap. Another blanket maker, SleepmeMake an electric blanket with weighted inserts. They recommend removing the insert and washing only the outer cover in a gentle cycle.

Materials needed to wash heated blankets

Depending on the care instructions, there are a few things you need to wash your electric blanket.

• washing machine
• Dryer or drying rack/clothespread
• Laundry detergent
• Clean cloth (if necessary to treat dirt)

How to wash an electric blanket

Washing a heated blanket is not difficult, but there are usually some things you need to do to prepare a blanket for your washing machine. Below are the following step-by-step instructions:

1. Remove the cord

The cord on an electric blanket allows electricity to move from the outlet to the blanket. Do not soak the electric cord in water. Damage to the cord can cause the blanket to malfunction or cause it to stop working completely. It is best to remove all connected cords to prevent damage to the blanket.

2. Check the instructions for cleaning your blanket

There are instructions for washing and drying somewhere in the blanket or anywhere in the information that comes with it. They usually show whether the blanket can be machine washed, or it needs to be hand washed, or whether it shows the washing machine cycle used, the drying method, and sometimes even the specifications of the soap. It is important to read these before washing your blankets.

If the washing instructions indicate that you need to hand wash the blanket, skip ahead to step 4.

3. Run in a delicate cycle

Most electric blankets need to be washed with a delicate or gentle cycle. This will help you remove or damage wiring inside the blanket.

4. Wash by hand

Most heated blankets can be machine washed, but there may be some that you will need to hand wash. In that case, remove the cord and fill the laundry tub with cold water and gentle detergent.

After a little soaking of the blanket, use your hands to wash the blanket, just as you can see how the washing machine can get upset. Once you’ve satisfied with the amount of cleansing you’ve completed, drain the water into the bathtub and rinse the blanket. Do this until all the soap disappears from the blanket. Squeeze out excess water and machine dry or dry on low, if care instructions indicate you can do so.

5. Dry the heated blanket

Most electric blankets can fall over on the low dryer. Be sure to dry your blanket according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you need to air dry the blanket, place it between two towels to absorb excess water before hanging flat to dry. Twisting the blanket may tempt you to squeeze out any excess water, but do not do this as it can damage the internal wiring.

How often do I wash my heated blanket?

The frequency of washing your electric blanket depends on how much you use it. The general rule is that when you think you need a blanket, you should wash it. If you are on a bed that is not often used, or if you are a user every night, you may prefer to wash your blankets every time you wash other bedding. If you plan to clean up your blanket, wash the blanket before storing it.

When you need to wash a heated blanket

Do not wash heated blankets that still come with cords. Additionally, do not wash the washing machine blanket if the blanket care instructions suggest hand washing instead of machine washing.

How to remove dirt with a heated blanket

If you use a lot of electric blankets, it is inevitable that in the end you will need to treat a stain or two. Most often, there is a regular cleaning process, but if not, try mixing laundry detergent, warm water and pretreatment. Using a clean cloth, apply the soapy water mixture to the stain. After leaving that setting, wash the blanket as instructed in care, or rinse the stained area with another damp cloth and air dry.