How To Clean Heavy Blankets

You probably need to know how to wash a weighted blanket, if you've been living in one most of winter (who hasn't?).

With all their amazing benefits, such as reducing anxiety, sleepless nights and stress, we're pretty sure you'll have put your weighted blanket through its paces. (And if you don't own one yet, make sure you check out our guide to the best weighted blankets to find out why you should!)

Whether you've been snuggling in it while watching Netflix with a bucket full of ice cream or you've taken to just wearing it at your desk Every. Single. Day... there's no doubting its appeal, especially in lockdown life.

Mela, makers of some of the most popular weighted blankets on the market, has offered its advice on what to do should your beloved gravity blanket have a brush with some dirt: 'You might be able to spot clean it with a wet washcloth and some mild detergent. If you can successfully perform that operation, you can avoid a full-scale machine wash.'

Sometimes though, it's time to bring out the big guns in the form of a full wash, so we've got the lowdown on how to safely wash your precious weighted blanket.

Find out how a weighted blanket can help you sleep and reduces stress .

How do you wash a weighted blanket in the washing machine

Generally, most weighted blankets (including those with glass or plastic poly pellets) are machine washable but you can see if the blanket can be hand washed by checking the fabric on the care label and figure out your machine's washing symbols.

Mela explain more, 'You'll want to check your blanket's washing instructions though because they won't all be the same. When washing your blanket, you should opt for a delicate cycle. That will extend the life of your blanket, and that's a good thing since they can be expensive.'

It's recommended to wash the blanket in a cold cycle to make sure you not only keep colors intact, but also, keep it looking and feeling fresh and new for longer.

In the market for a new washing machine? We've rounded up the best washing machines to buy right here.

how to wash a weighted blanket - a woman in bed with weighted blanket peace sign - mela

How to wash a weighted blanket by hand

If your weighted blanket is particularly weighty and you don't have a front loading washer, we recommend using your bath tub to give the blanket a thorough going over.

Here's how to wash a weighted blanket by hand:

Make sure your tub is clean and rinsed down.
Half fill your tub with cold water and add a half a cup of gentle detergent, making sure it's well mixed through the water.
Submerge your blanket and agitate it well with your hands (wear gloves if you have sensitive skin)
Drain the bath and fill again with cold water to rinse the blanket.
Drain and fill for the third and final time to make sure detergent is removed.
Next, flatten out the blanket, fold in half and roll it to remove the water, avoiding wringing.
Repeat until most of the water has gone and hang up to air dry.

Invest in a weighted blanket cover

If your weighted blanket doesn't already come with a cover, consider buying one to protect it from everyday spillages and general dust and grime. It'll make washing simple and just like a duvet, you'll slide off cover and toss it in the wash.

If you don't want to add more warmth to your weighted blanket, a cover will affect how warm your blanket is. So if you're warm enough without a cover, opt for a bamboo or 100% cotton cover to keep you cool.

Love a weighted blanket but hate being hot at night? You need this cooling buy .

Detergents to wash your weighted blanket

Mela recommend, 'Detergent is necessary to get that deep clean you want, but make it as mild as you can. Skip the bleach and the dryer sheets. The less you do, the better the chance your blanket will remain soft and cuddly even after multiple washes.'

We think The Laundress Delicate Wash is mild enough to clean and not damage your blanket. Experts at The Laundress also recommend the following:

'If your blanket touches your skin nightly or a pet sleeps on top of it, we'd suggest laundering monthly. In between washes, spot treat stains and odors with Wash & Stain Bar.'

Dealing with a stain? Check our stain removal guide to find out how to remove pesky spatter.

How to dry your weighted blanket

You can't beat a dryer for drying clothes in record time. And when it comes to heavy weighted blankets, the same is true.

Saying that, be sure to use the dryer sparingly and always check the care label on your blanket to make sure you don't ruin the fabric or filling.

We would always err on the side of caution by drying it in the machine for a short time to get most of the moisture out. Plus, avoid leaving it in the machine to get bone dry, in case it's not up to the job.

If your blanket isn't designed for machine drying, we recommend laying it out flat on a sunny day (as opposed to line drying) and turn it every so often. It might take an age but the freshness will be oh-so-worth-it.

Looking for a great tumble dryer? We've featured the best tumble dryers on the market to make your life easier.

How to wash a weighted blanket of 20lbs or more

We recommend taking weighted blankets of over 20lbs to a laundromat where it can be washed in a large commercial machine. This will save your washing machine from damage.

Experts at Mela explain more:

'If you have a heavy blanket that doesn't have an outside cover on it, you might not want to wash it in your machine. That's a lot of wear and tear on your washer with that amount of weight.'

'You'd be better off taking it to a laundromat and letting it bang around inside of their equipment instead.'

We couldn't agree more.