How do I wash a thick blanket in the washing machine?

How to wash a weighted blanket

Before washing a weighted blanket, you should read the manufacturer's care instructions on the label or on the company's website. Due to their heavier construction, weighted blankets are not as easy to clean as regular blankets. Care instructions vary by filler type and fabric material. So be sure to do some research on how to care for your particular blanket before you start cleaning.

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In general, there are a few things to consider when cleaning a weighted blanket. The first is how much cleaning the ceiling actually needs. If the quilt needs only spot cleaning, use a mild soap, detergent, or stain remover to treat those stains, rinse with cold or lukewarm water, and let the quilt air dry. Wash stains as soon as they appear to prevent them from settling.

For duvet covers, consider removing and washing only the duvet cover, not the entire comforter. Duvet covers are usually machine washable and machine dry, but check the care label first.

When your weighted blanket is ready for a deep clean, you can machine wash it or hand wash it in the tub or sink. Be sure to choose a mild detergent that doesn't contain bleach, and wash the blanket in cold or lukewarm water, as many weighted blankets can't handle hot water. Be sure to rinse the blanket thoroughly. Depending on the weight limit of the washing machine, you can take the blanket to a commercial laundromat.

In general, it's best to air-dry a weighted blanket, lay it flat, and shake it from time to time to allow the filling to dry and distribute evenly. If you want to put the blanket in the dryer, use a low or medium setting and take it out after it dries. Make sure the blanket is completely dry before using it again. There should be no need to iron your weighted blanket.

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Weighted Blanket Care Guidelines

As with most bedding, care guidelines may vary depending on whether your weighted blanket is made of cotton, polyester, rayon, wool, or another material, and whether the filling contains glass beads, plastic particles, or organic material. The label on the blanket, the instruction manual, or the manufacturer's website should give you the information you need to clean your weighted blanket. Most weighted blankets come with one of the following instructions:

Machine wash and dry: For machine wash, choose a mild bleach-free detergent, then gently wash the blanket in cold or lukewarm water. Avoid fabric softeners. Choose a light or medium dryer setting and periodically loosen the quilt as it dries.

Machine wash, air dry: Put the blanket in the washing machine with a mild, bleach-free detergent. Choose a gentle cycle and use cold or lukewarm water. To air dry the blanket, lay it flat and shake it occasionally to make sure the inside is evenly filled.

Machine washable covers only: Some weighted blankets have removable covers that can be washed separately. Remove the duvet cover and wash according to the care instructions on the label. Generally, duvet covers can be washed in cold water on the normal wash setting. If directions allow, allow lids to air dry or place in a low-temperature tumble dryer.

Stain Only or Dry Cleaning: Topically clean small stains with a mild stain remover or soap and cold water. Massage the stain with your fingers or a soft brush or sponge, then rinse thoroughly. Take a blanket that says "dry clean only" to a professional dry cleaner, or consider purchasing a home dry cleaning kit to keep the blanket clean.

How often should the weighted blanket be washed?

How often you clean your weighted blanket depends on how often you use it. If you sleep on a blanket every night, wash it every few weeks to prevent sweat and body fat from accumulating.If you only use it occasionally as a throw on your sofa or desk, you can clean the weighted blanket 3-4 times a year. enough.

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Frequent washing of your weighted blanket can affect its feel and durability. You can extend the life of your weighted blanket by purchasing an easily removable and washable cover.

In general, weighted blankets should be replaced every five years. However, with proper care, you may be able to enjoy your weighted blanket longer.

How to wash the weighted blanket in the washing machine

The evergreen dilemma of whether to use hot or cold water when machine washing a weighted blanket can be solved by checking the weight and fabric of the blanket. The easiest way to find out is to read our blanket care instructions. Since most weighted blankets are made of cotton and plastic, here are the washing instructions:

Keep your favorite detergent in the laundry room

Put the prepared weighted blanket into the machine

Press the gentle cycle and watch the blanket wash

Remove the weighted blanket immediately after washing

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How to hand wash the weighted blanket

Blankets may not be machine washable. In this case, we wash our hands, which is the oldest and most sustainable method. The laundry process is under your control, so you should know how to hand wash your weighted blanket.

Fill a bathtub or water container with cold or warm water

Then apply the cleaner to the entire

Throw the pretreated weighted blanket into the water

Start kneading the blanket with your hands

Replace the water with fresh water after a few minutes

Place the dampened weighted blanket in a dry area

squeeze out excess water

How to care for weighted blankets of different fabrics

Weighted blanket fabrics range from cotton to flannel. Each has specific care instructions. Let's dive into the facts.

cotton:

Wash heavy cotton blankets separately in cold water. Do not put anything other than cotton in the laundry, as it may damage the fabric. To preserve color, mix 1/2 cup vinegar with non-chlorine cleaner.

flannel:

The sensory factor makes them popular as weighted blankets. Flannel can be washed with cold or lukewarm water, but not hot water as it spoils quickly. Dry the blanket in your home washing machine on low heat.

wool:

The wool blanket can be washed with warm water. To remove stains, soak the blanket in the washing machine for approximately 45 minutes before washing. Softeners can also be used on wool, but use a mild detergent. Tumble dry on low heat or air dry.

Minimum force:

Minky is one of the best-selling weighted blanket materials and he can be washed with non-chlorine bleach diluted with water. Do not use hot water or hot settings as Minky is a polyester material that cannot withstand high temperatures.

Viscose and linen blend

This material should be dry cleaned and air dried separately.

silk:

Weighted blankets are relatively uncommon, while silk blankets only require dry cleaning.

wool:

Use mild soap, cold or lukewarm water and tumble dry on low or medium speed.

Washing instructions for different filling materials

Weighted materials consist of a variety of filling materials, each of which must be carefully cleaned.

micro glass beads

Can be washed in warm or cold water and dried

sand:

You can't get the sand out of a weighted banker completely, you can only use the wash mix above to get the sand out

Plastic particles:

Wash in cold water only, then lay the blanket flat to dry in a well-ventilated area

Steel ball:

Hand wash only with mild detergent and cold or lukewarm water, then unfold the blanket to air dry

Organic fillers like beans and rice:

Not washable, only spot cleaning

Easy Ways to Dry Weighted Blankets

Some weighted blankets can be machine dried, while others cannot. You must pay attention to the care label to make sure you are using the correct method. If you're looking for a way to dry a weighted blanket, consider the options below.

dry fresh air

When it comes to drying your magic sleep aid, outdoor drying is the best.

Lay the blanket flat in the sun.

Turn for 30 minutes.

Shake regularly to ensure even weight distribution.

Since weighted blankets have weight, throwing them in a row will change the weight, which you don't want.

machine dry

If you don't have time to wait for it to dry, you can toss it in the dryer (if your materials allow it).

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Rules and Prohibitions to Follow.

Here, van der Linde shares some general best practices for washing weighted blankets. Be sure to check the label on the blanket before use, as care instructions may vary.

How to wash a weighted blanket:

Machine wash in cold or lukewarm water. These temperatures tend to be best for fabrics, not cold or hot.

Dry at low temperature. Over time, too much heat can reduce the quality of the fabric.

Use eco-friendly, mild detergents. (Bonus points if you make your own detergent!)

If you use it frequently, please wash it once a month. If you don't use it often, your best judgment is fine.

Precautions for washing weighted blankets:

Do not use fabric softener. Your weighted blanket shouldn't need it, it will stain.

Do not dry. Hanging a weighted blanket to dry can cause it to stretch.

Do not overload the washing machine. Before you wash your blanket for the first time, make sure your washing machine can handle it by checking the machine's maximum capacity.

How to keep your blanket in good condition.

Again, it's best to follow care label directions to keep your weighted blanket in good shape for years to come. But here are some general best practices:

Do not sleep directly under the quilt. Putting a sheet or quilt between you and the weighted blanket can help it last longer between washes, says Vanderlinde.

Clean stains as soon as possible to prevent them from settling. It's best to clean the stain before putting the blanket in the washing machine or tub.

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