Worry-Free Tips to Washing Your Weighted Blanket
Weighted blankets have been used as sleep and calming aids in special-needs communities for years. They can help calm a restless body, reduce feelings of anxiety, and help those with trouble sleeping. In the past few years, their popularity has exploded among the mainstream population searching for ways to quiet the mind and get a good night’s sleep. But, how do you clean a heavy blanket embedded with plastic pellets or glass beads? No worries. We have a few tips!
- Spot cleaning your weighted blanket may be the safest way to clean it. Using an old toothbrush dipped in a solution of warm water and laundry detergent, gently scrub away small stains.
- Blankets with both glass micro beads and plastic poly pellets should be safe in a washing machine. For safety’s sake, always check with the manufacturer or the care tag on your blanket before washing.
- Blankets over 20 pounds should be taken to a laundromat and washed in a commercial-size machine to spare your home machine from wear and tear.
- If your blanket is less than 20 pounds, you can wash it on the gentle cycle at home using cold water and a mild detergent.
- To dry, spread your weighted blanket out on a flat clean surface or in the dryer on a low heat. In fact, because the glass and plastic pellets don’t absorb water, it shouldn’t take long for your blanket to dry.
- Experts don’t recommend hanging your blanket to dry, as the weight can put a strain on the seams.
- It’s best to avoid using a fabric softener or bleach to clean your weighted blanket. Fabric softeners can build up overtime leaving your blanket scratchy, while bleach can break down fibres over time shortening its lifespan.
Pro Tip
Just because it’s safe to machine wash your weighted blanket doesn’t mean it should be done frequently. Limit excessive wear and tear with a removable duvet cover. It will protect your weighted blanket from everyday dirt and grime, and can be tossed in the wash without concern.
