When the weather is gloomy, or you’ve just returned home from a hard day, a heated blanket may be a delightful treat; therefore, it’s no surprise that many people avoid washing their heated blanket for fear of destroying it. Fortunately, washing your blanket, especially if it’s recent, is significantly less complicated than you might have imagined. Many heated blankets may be cleaned in a washing machine and dryer. These elevated throws, of course, demand a little more time and effort than a basic load of sheets and towels. A clean blanket feels more comfortable than a non-cleaned one. Consider having a freshly washed and fragrant-smelling heated blanket after coming in from the cold or freezing weather. A heated blanket can be cleaned at home to maintain and sanitize your heated blanket.
How Often Should a Heated Blanket Be Laundered?
The time a heated blanket has been in storage or how frequently you use it will determine how often you should wash it. Wash your blanket every few weeks up to a month. Check your heated blanket to see if it has been stored for any time. Confirming it is functional for continued optimized use and function is necessary.
Before You Start
Before proceeding with the methods below, consult your blanket’s care label or owner’s handbook. Most heated blankets come with detailed cleaning instructions, so you shouldn’t have to guess which approach is best for your particular blanket. It is critical to refer to the care instructions to have the maximum longevity of your heated blanket. Regardless of whether your blanket came with instructions, never take it to a dry cleaner, laundromat, or other commercial cleaner. The solutions, settings, and equipment they utilize are frequently too harsh for heated blankets and may cause wiring damage. There is no confirmation that the dry cleaner is going to follow the required cleaning instructions after you have dropped off your heated blanket and paid the requested fees. The best option is to clean your heated blanket at home to verify care instructions for cleaning have been followed.
What You’ll Require
The washing machine
Dryer
Drying rack or clothesline
A toothbrush or small medium to soft bristol brush (optional for spot cleaning)
Gentle laundry detergent
How to Hand-Wash a Heated Blanket
Fill a tub halfway with lukewarm water.
Fill your bathtub or a large bucket halfway with lukewarm water and mild washing detergent. Ensure enough water to swish your blanket around and clean every fold.
Unplug your blanket and disconnect the cord.
Unplug and unhook your heated blanket as your tub fills. Set the cord aside and inspect it for frayed or exposed wires, rips, and tears. Stop the washing process and replace your blanket if you find any damage.
Your Heated Blanket Should Be Laundered
Place the heated blanket in the water and carefully saturate every surface with water and soap. Swish the blanket until the water turns sudsy, then set it aside for 10 minutes.
Tip
If your heated blanket has a couple of stains, you can begin this step by spot cleaning. Apply a mild detergent straight to the stain and gently scrub with a toothbrush. Allow the solution to remain for 20 minutes before soaking the entire blanket in the tub.
Thoroughly rinse
After that, drain the soapy water from the tub and begin rinsing your blanket with fresh lukewarm water. To rinse, refill the tub or use a spray attachment if you have one. Scrubbing your blanket too vigorously may cause damage to the wires.
Finally, gently dump the tub and wring the extra liquid from your blanket. Again, avoid wringing out the blanket. Finally, put your blanket to dry on a clothesline or drying rack. Before using the blanket again, make sure it is thoroughly dry.
Washing a Heated Blanket in a Washing Machine
Detergent warm water temperature warm or cold
Type of Cycle: delicate or gentle
Drying Air-dry or low-heat cycle
Drying Machine wash and air dry
Unplug the blanket and disconnect the cord
Before washing, ensure your blanket is unplugged and the cord is disconnected, regardless of your chosen cleaning method.
Place the blanket in the washing machine.
Open your heated blanket and lay it carefully in the washing machine. Put a rolled or folded blanket in the washing machine to avoid cleaning thoroughly. Add your laundry detergent and choose a gentle or delicate wash cycle and a cold or warm water temperature. After two to three minutes, stop the process and proceed to the rinse setting. Use a low-speed spin setting.
Tip
If your blanket is filthy, soak it in the washer for 15 minutes before beginning the rinse cycle.
Briefly transfer the blanket to the dryer.
Then, transfer your heated blanket to the dryer. Choose an air-dry or low-heat setting and dry your blanket for about 20 minutes before ending the cycle and proceeding to the next step.
Finally, allow air to dry completely.
When you take your heated blanket out of the dryer, it should still be slightly damp. Allow it to dry thoroughly on a clothesline or drying rack. Before plugging it back in and using it again, thoroughly dry the blanket.
How to Clean Your Heated Blanket
Avoid using laundromats, dry cleaners, or professional cleaners to clean your heated blanket.
Never iron your heated blanket since it could cause the wires to short out.
If the care instructions for your blanket allow for machine washing, alternate between hand and machine washing to help extend the product’s lifespan.
Questions and Answers
Is it possible to wash a heated blanket in the washing machine?
Most new heated blankets can be washed in the washing machine. However, always consult the care label, owner’s manual, or manufacturer’s instructions first.
Can a heated blanket be dried in the dryer?
A heated blanket can be dried in a dryer on an air-dry or low-heat setting, but it should not be dried entirely. Allow it to dry in the dryer for 20 minutes, then hang it to dry on a clothesline or drying rack.